4 Big Ten 2021 NFL Draft prospects who benefit most from season’s return

Tanner Morgan, QB, Minnesota

The redshirt junior quarterback Tanner Morgan seemed to really take control of the Minnesota offense during his first full season as the starter in 2019. He had a strong year that included rewriting the Minnesota record books, setting school records in passing yards (3,253), touchdown passes (30), completion percentage (66.0 percent) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (30 touchdowns, seven interceptions).

Morgan has a quick, strong arm and is not afraid to take some shots down the field and in coverage. Sometimes it gets him into trouble, but he has done a fine job of minimizing those mistakes. The year 2020 was going to be Morgan’s chance to continue to develop and end his Minnesota career on an even higher note than he did in 2019 after the Gophers defeated Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

There has already been quite a range of thoughts in terms of where Morgan could be drafted. Some think he could be a first-round pick, some think he’s a Day 3 developmental option. Morgan certainly could have used one final college season to attempt to quiet some of the doubters and perhaps solidify himself within the first two days, and possibly the first round, of the 2021 NFL Draft.