2021 NFL Draft: Zach Wilson has chance to pad resume vs. Coastal Carolina

Zach Wilson can pad his resume with another win over a ranked opponent

Zach Wilson has catapulted himself into the discussion as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft with a stellar 2020 season. The overriding criticism of the BYU signal-caller, however, has been that his superb campaign has come in a year that has seen the Cougars face just one ranked opponent.

Wilson and BYU shredded Boise State, then ranked No. 21, in a 51-17 win, but the words “any time, any place” that emblazoned the quarterback’s headband as he stood on the sideline during a 66-14 demolition of North Alabama, have otherwise rung hollow.

That is not the fault of Wilson nor the program. BYU had a murderer’s row of a 2020 schedule lined up, but saw games with Michigan State, Minnesota, Utah, Arizona State, Stanford and Missouri canceled prior to the season in moves to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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Wilson, though, will get his chance to add to his resume, BYU hastily scheduling a game with No. 14 Coastal Carolina after the Chanticleers saw their game with Liberty canceled due to COVID issues in the Flames camp.

What challenges will Coastal Carolina present?

Coastal Carolina does not have the name value of some of the opponents the Cougars had hoped to face in 2020 but it is 9-0 with a win over a ranked opponent in Louisiana. The Chanticleers also possess a defense ranked 14th in the FBS that is allowing under five yards per play.

They also boast an edge rusher headed to the Senior Bowl in Tarron Jackson, who has followed up a 9.5-sack season in 2019 by putting up 8.5 in nine games in 2020. If Jackson can have success against a BYU offensive line that has produced excellent pass protection this season, then NFL evaluators will get more of a window into how Wilson performs under pressure.

Wins over Coastal Carolina and San Diego State in its season finale should put BYU in a position to earn a place in a New Year’s Six bowl game against a Power 5 opponent.

Zach Wilson, therefore, still has the chance to do some significant resume padding. While his 2020 slate may not stack up to that of the prospective number one pick Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State’s Justin Fields, he will likely have a very strong case for being taken ahead of North Dakota State’s Trey Lance come the end of a dream campaign.