Oregon’s 2021 NFL Draft class paved the way for guys like Verone McKinley. Although he’s talented enough to be drafted already, scouts and teams are going to pay far more attention to Eugene moving forward after the Ducks sent four guys from the defensive backfield to the NFL draft. That’ll get everyone’s attention.
Thomas Graham, Jevon Holland, Deommodore Lenoir, and Brady Breeze were all selected into the 2021 NFL Draft and now McKinley could be next up in 2022.
McKinley started his Oregon career as a cornerback in 2019, playing in 13 games as a redshirt freshman and recording 46 tackles, four interceptions, and two pass breakups. He was named to the FWAA’s Freshman All-American team and caught everyone’s eye. As a sophomore in 2020, he had 46 tackles again with a pick and two pass deflections.
The junior safety has to be on scouts’ watch lists this season as the defensive back is aggressive and can be a ballhawk as well.