LSU Tigers Football: Long list of underclassmen declare for 2020 NFL Draft

Leaving on a high note, the LSU Tigers football team watched as seven underclassmen decided to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft on Wednesday.

As the college season has come to a close with the LSU Tigers football team winning the National Championship, several underclassmen have declared for the 2020 NFL Draft. In fact, seven LSU Tigers have decided to forego their senior seasons to head to the NFL.

Linebacker Patrick Queen was the first Tiger to declare this afternoon via his Twitter account. Queen produced 85 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and three sacks during his junior season. He’s a big game player that showed well during the most recent title game against Clemson.

Queen is an underrated athlete that can read and react through every possible situation. He is very good at diagnosing plays and making the tackle, which is remarkable given his lack of experience outside of this year.

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Next came safety Grant Delpit, who started the season as a perennial top-five pick, but has seen his stock drop a bit. He still looks to be a top-20 lock in the draft. Following Delpit’s announcement, wide receiver Justin Jefferson quickly followed suit and declared via Yahoo Sports that he will enter the draft.

After improving as a sophomore, Jefferson really broke out as a junior as one of Joe Burrow’s top targets. He produced 111 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. He played like a first round selection all season and he should be rewarded with a first round selection as one of the best receivers in the country. He has experience at every receiver position so teams will love his versatility. He profiles as an X receiver due to his 6’3 192 frame.

Center Lloyd Cushenberry was next on the list of Tigers to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft. He has enough athleticism to play either center or guard at the next level. A center by primary definition. His footwork is pretty solid and sets a good anchor in the pass game. Run blocking is his forte as he’s very aggressive and can get to the second level in a hurry.

Fellow offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles also made the announcement that he was making the jump from collegiate to pro with his announcement via his Instagram. Charles was a PFF darling this year, allowing no quarterback pressures in 61 pass drop backs this season.

With Queen already declaring, the other inside linebacker Jacob Phillips also made the jump. The 6-4 and 233 pound linebacker finished the season with 56 solo tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and one sack on the year.

Last, and possibly smallest, but certainly not least was running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who put together a masterful back half of the season and saw his draft stock soar through the roof. The 5-8, 209 pound back recorded over 1,400 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns, adding another 453 yards receiving and one score on 55 catches.

The one big named underclassman we are still waiting to hear from is pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, who proved he belongs in the first round after a dominant performance in the National Championship. The underclassman declaration deadline is Friday, 1/17, so we will have an answer within the next day or so on Chaisson.

A National Championship victory is a great way to go out, and for these seven Tigers, their dream of playing in the NFL is about to become a reality. LSU looks to reload and compete again in 2020 despite losing seven underclassmen at this point, on top of the seniors like quarterback Joe Burrow and cornerback Kristian Fulton.