2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch: Iowa State vs TCU

Xavier Hutchinson could very well become the next great receiver to come through Iowa State. The Cyclones have churned out the likes of Allan Lazard and Hakeem Butler in recent years. Both were big, physical receivers that made contested catches on a consistent basis. Hutchinson hopes to be the next in the line of NFL receivers to come through the Cyclones program.

Xavier Hutchinson is a Junior College transfer who chose the Cyclones despite a late push from Lincoln Riley and the Oklahoma Sooners. Hutchinson has NFL size at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. He showed the ability to go up and get some tough passes in the season opener against Louisiana. He doesn’t possess game-breaking speed but has enough to stretch a defense vertically. Where Hutchinson wins is by using his size and big frame to block out defenders.

Against Louisiana, Hutchinson reeled in 4 receptions for 43 yards and no touchdowns. And that was without really having an offseason to build a report with Brock Purdy. As the season goes along, expect the connection between quarterback and receiver to improve and for Hutchinson’s production to tick up as the season goes along.

Hutchinson can prove he deserves to be talked about as a legitimate NFL prospect with a good showing against the vaunted TCU secondary. Expect him to be targeted early and often by Brock Purdy as Iowa State vs TCU gets underway.