The 2024 NFL Draft commences Thursday, and a whole bunch of faculty soccer’s high gamers will see their skilled goals realized over a three-day interval. It doesn’t matter what comes afterwards, it is at all times a particular second to see gamers which have developed and damaged out on the novice stage hear their names known as on the most important stage of their sport. 

For some gamers, sadly, strolling throughout the stage in April is the top of their profession. Projecting faculty expertise to the NFL stage is extremely arduous for myriad causes, and there are some ballyhooed draft picks that simply do not work out. 

We frequently refer to those prospects as “busts,” and every draft has at the very least a handful of them. However for people who cowl faculty soccer, there are some busts that come as an absolute shock. Even essentially the most surefire, can’t-miss prospect can flame out. 

Forward of Thursday’s NFL Draft, the CBS Sports activities and 247Sports faculty soccer crews — who usually see these gamers come into their very own at their respective universities — bought collectively to reminisce on among the most shocking letdowns in NFL Drafts previous. In different phrases, these are faculty soccer gamers that we had been completely positive could be stars within the NFL, that simply weren’t for no matter cause. 

Chase Younger, EDGE, Ohio State

As extra offenses are adopting spread-based, pass-heavy schemes, good edge rushers are at a premium. When Younger, who was the No. 4 prospect nationally within the class of 2017, was at Ohio State, he wasn’t simply good — he was downright elite. After a comparatively quiet freshman season, Younger burst onto the scene in 2018 with 10.5 sacks. He blew that quantity out of the water in 2019 with 16.5 sacks in simply 12 video games, gathering unanimous All-America honors, the Ted Hendricks Award, Chuck Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. He additionally completed fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, turning into simply the ninth defensive participant to ever be nominated for faculty soccer’s most illustrious particular person award. 

He was then chosen No. 2 general, forward of the likes to Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert and Justin Jefferson within the 2020 NFL Draft. So, yeah, expectations had been extremely excessive. Issues began so effectively. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Yr in 2020 after registering 7.5 sacks, 4 pressured fumbles and 44 complete tackles. That was the excessive level of his profession to this point. Younger hasn’t performed in a full season since. From 2021-22, he had 1.5 sacks and missed numerous time whereas coping with a torn ACL. The Washington Commanders traded him to the San Francisco 49ers within the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, and the latter group let him stroll in free company. Younger continues to be simply 25 years previous, so there’s time to show it round, however neck surgical procedure after signing with the New Orleans Saints is a troublesome begin. Given his already intensive damage historical past, who is aware of what the long run holds. — Will Backus

Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

Ball earned All-America honors in back-to-back seasons as an astronomically productive rusher for Wisconsin throughout a school profession that spanned 2009-12. He totaled 1,923 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2011 to complete fourth within the Heisman Trophy voting, and he adopted up with 1,830 yards the next season for good measure. The Denver Broncos took Ball with the 58th choose in 2013, making him simply the third working again chosen behind Giovani Bernard and Le’Veon Bell. He was additionally taken forward of Alabama’s Eddie Lacy.

Each Bell and Lacy made Professional Bowls, and Bernard loved a 10-year NFL profession. On the contrary, Ball fizzled out of the league with simply 731 profession speeding yards to his title after 21 appearances in two seasons. A confluence of on- and off-field components contributed to Ball’s demise, but it surely made for a jarring twist to those that watched him in faculty. Given Ball’s prolific collegiate manufacturing and standing as a multi-year star within the Huge Ten, it appeared like a forgone conclusion that he would get pleasure from at the very least some success within the NFL. — David Cobb

Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

After managing probably the most environment friendly seasons for a quarterback in faculty soccer historical past en path to an ideal season and nationwide title, Jones was primed to guide New England for the following decade post-Tom Brady. It did not occur. His confidence was noticeably totally different from the pocket, home windows that had been open within the SEC resulting in massive performs remodeled into interceptions, and he was traded for a sixth-round choose earlier than the top of his rookie deal — surprising to say the least. — Brad Crawford

Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

I lined Coleman as a pupil reporter and was blown away by his expertise. On paper, he appeared to be the whole package deal — elite pace, freakish athleticism, and a knack for coming down with the ball in site visitors and making performs after the catch. Whereas the receivers popping out of the previous Baylor system by no means fairly reached stardom within the NFL, Terrance Williams and Kendall Wright constructed strong careers for themselves. Blame Browns incompetence in order for you (and I’ll), however Coleman by no means put the items collectively. Honorable point out goes to Josh Rosen, who I used to be satisfied would thrive round actual NFL expertise. Apparently not! — Shehan Jeyarajah 

Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

Gilbert was a consensus All-American popping out of Oklahoma State and went No. 8 general to the Cleveland Browns within the 2014 NFL Draft. Thought-about one of many high cornerback prospects within the draft, Gilbert went on to start out simply three video games in two seasons for the Browns earlier than being traded to division rival Pittsburgh Steelers. — Cody Nagel

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

I am going to gladly roll by the disgrace wash yet one more time for a way emphatic I used to be that Johnny Soccer might be a game-changer on the subsequent stage. Masking the SEC and faculty soccer as an entire all through these 2012 and 2013 campaigns featured not solely absurd playmaking by the Aggies’ quarterback, however some terrific performances in opposition to defenses that had been loaded up with NFL expertise. In fact, time has given us the attitude to grasp the distinctive peak that was ongoing for Texas A&M’s offense (even past the quarterback), and a greater thought of what was happening behind the scenes and off the sector round this school soccer supernova. However when the doubters and haters had been loud in 2013, I bought louder, and it seems I used to be simply loud and unsuitable. — Chip Patterson

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon’s breakout season in 2010 at Oklahoma State was the primary 12 months I began watching faculty soccer constantly. My pre-teenage self was so satisfied that Blackmon would star within the NFL, and for good cause. Blackmon caught 38 touchdowns throughout his ultimate two seasons in Stillwater earlier than the Jacksonville Jaguars chosen him with the No. 5 general choose within the 2012 NFL Draft. Blackmon solely performed 20 video games within the NFL — together with 16 of these in his rookie season — and his profession was derailed by numerous suspensions. — Cameron Salerno

Jamarcus Russell, QB, LSU

I used to be shocked that Jamarcus Russell was a draft bust. Sure, in hindsight there have been tons of pink flags. However this was virtually 20 years in the past and I used to be not working in sports activities media, so I didn’t find out about his work habits, the modifications in his assist construction, and so forth. On the time I simply noticed an enormous, cellular QB who was productive at LSU with a loopy arm. Eighteen touchdowns in three seasons with the Oakland Raiders, who took him No. 1 general to kick off the short-lived Lane Kiffin period, was not what anyone was anticipating. — Bud Elliott