Austin Booker has skyrocketed in draft rankings ever since he flashed his potential in the Senior Bowl. From being absent on draft rankings to becoming a potential Day 2 selection, he has made it clear that it was the right move to enter his name into the pool after the season.
The 6-foot-6 defensive end transferred in from Minnesota last offseason. The redshirt sophomore recorded 56 tackles, eight sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in his breakout year. He earned All-Big 12 First Team honors and finished second in the conference in sacks.
Booker could become one of the highest-selected draft picks out of the Kansas football program since Aqib Talib. He will have more chances to prove himself at the scouting combine. What are NFL Draft experts saying about the former Jayhawk?
What NFL Draft experts are saying about Austin Booker coming out of the Senior Bowl
In NFL.com's latest mock draft, they have Booker going 52nd overall to the Los Angeles Rams. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein provided a scouting report on Booker, comparing him to Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby.
"Truly unique prospect combining tremendous upside with an extremely limited sample size," Zierlein wrote. "A more conservative approach on Booker’s grade might be prudent, but it becomes a difficult route to take when observing his length, explosive athleticism and rush talent. Booker needs to get bigger and stronger, but that will come. The diversity of his rush approach is unheard of for a player with so little playing time.
A.J. Schulte of Pro Football Network thinks Booker could be selected earlier than the second round.
"Booker’s motor is constantly running, keeping him in plays even when his initial move falters. He needs to continue to grow as a pass rusher and bolster his overall toolbox of moves and counters, but that can be built with more experience. Quite frankly, it would not surprise me if we’re putting Booker in the first round of mock drafts come March. He has all the tools teams will covet, is a refined pass rusher, and is just a redshirt sophomore."
Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report wrote this last week: "While some teams believed it would have been in his best interest to return to school for another year to bulk up and enjoy another year of success at the Power Five level, he showcased the flashes that NFL evaluators have raved about for months."
It is almost unheard of for a player with very little collegiate experience to climb the ranks this quickly, so scouts must love his physical traits. Needless to say, Kansas football fans will be hearing his name at some point on draft night.