Sports, Saturday, May 2nd

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 at 5:41 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

Niece of KILJ’s Own Inducted to St. Ambrose Hall of Fame: 

Niece of KILJ’s Lora Roth and former West Point Marquette standout Casey Thompson will be inducted into the St. Ambrose Athletics Hall of Fame, the college announced.

Thompson was a dual-sport standout with the Bees’ earning All-American recognition in both soccer and softball.

She was a three-time honorable mention All-American in soccer, a four-time first team all-conference selection and three-time first team all-region pick.

Thompson remains fourth in program history with 58 career goals and third with 135 career points.

In softball, Thompson is a two-time conference player of the year, also earning first team All-American status in 2001 after batting .550, the best single-season batting average in program history.

Her .408 career batting average is fourth in program history and she remains the program leader with 278 career hits.

Thompson graduated from St. Ambrose in 2003.

Drake Bulldogs T&F Adds 16 to Recruiting Class:

The Drake University cross country and track & field teams have added 16 student-athletes for the 2020-21 season, acting director Blake Boldon and acting head coach Asha Gibson announced Friday, May 1.

The class includes four from the Hawkeye State:

  • Dyer Jarabek – Sprints – Dowling Catholic
  • Alec Knepper – Middle Distance – Urbandale
  • Reece Knepper – Middle Distance – Urbandale
  • Ryan Schweizer – Distance – Dowling Catholic

The class is headlined by Schweizer, who is transferring to Drake from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

In high school, Schweizer was a 6-time State Champion, winning the 800, mile and two-mile at the Iowa State Championships in 2015 and 2016.

He also anchored a pair of relay teams to titles those two years and owns the No. 1 mile time in Iowa history at 4:05.83 and the No. 2 time in the 800m at 1:50.30.

Garza Picks Up Another Honor: 

Hawkeye junior Luka Garza (men’s basketball)  and senior Katie Burch (field hockey) have been named the University of Iowa’s 2019-20 Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

The duo will be Iowa’s nominees for the 2020 Big Ten Conference Athletes of the Year awards.

Winners will be announced at a later date.

Garza was a unanimous consensus first-team All-America selection, becoming the first Iowa men’s basketball student-athlete to earn National Player of the Year distinction by six major news outlets.

The junior center was also named the Pete Newell Big Man of the Year, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year and has entered his name into the 2020 NBA Draft.

Garza has scored 20+ in 16 consecutive Big Ten conference games, the longest streak in the conference since 1987.

Sports, Friday, May 1st

By Nathan Bloechl · Friday, May 1st, 2020 at 11:26 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

UNI Coaches Take Voluntary Pay Cut:

UNI Director of Athletics David Harris, head coaches, senior staff and select other staff have committed to take voluntary pay cuts through the remainder of the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

The pay cut will help the athletics department reduce a deficit created by a decrease in expected NCAA distributions this spring after the cancelation of the NCAA winter championships because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other unexpected losses include rental revenue from events hosted in the UNI-Dome and McLeod Center.

Harris and the head coaches of UNI’s five ticketed sports, football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball and wrestling will take a 10% salary reduction for May and June.

Senior staff members, other head coaches and select staff members have also taken salary reductions for May and June.

UNI is one of over two dozen schools that have announced some sort of pay cut to athletics employees.

The fiscal year ends June 30.

The department will continue to act aggressively to remain in solid financial standing with more NCAA distribution shortcomings on the horizon and the length and total impact of the pandemic still unknown.

Hawkeye Wrestling Dominates on Mats and Classroom:

The University of Iowa wrestling team set a school record and led the nation with eight wrestlers named to the 2020 National Wrestling Coaches Association Division I All-Academic Team, the NWCA announced Thursday.

Spencer Lee, Max Murin, Kaleb Young, Alex Marinelli, Michael Kemerer, Abe Assad, Jacob Warner, and Tony Cassioppi are among the 175 athletes from 63 institutions to earn recognition.

To be eligible, student-athletes must have a 3.2 grade point average and have won 60 percent of their matches, or maintain a 3.0 GPA while earning All-America honors.

Lee and Marinelli were named to the team for the third straight year. Kemerer is also a three-time honoree, earning honors in 2017 and 2018. Warner and Young are two-time recipients.

The NWCA honors are the firsts for Murin, Assad, and Cassioppi.

Iowa has had 42 NWCA Scholar All-Americans since Tom Brands was named head coach in 2006.

UNI Wrestling Picks Up Big Commit from Dairyland Prep:

The UNI wrestling team got good news this week when Wisconsin prep Dajun Johnson committed to the Panthers.

Johnson, a top-200 recruit in the country, was originally committed to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia — but due to COVID-19, the university had to eliminate the wrestling program.

Johnson gives UNI their fifth top-200 recruit in their 2020 class.

Wrestling in high school for Whitefish Bay, Johnson was a two-time state champion at 160 in 2019 and 170 this year.

He finished his high school career on a 77-match winning streak.

UNI Basketball to Return to Cayman Island Classic:

The Cayman Islands Classic has announced the 2020 field consisting of Kansas State, Ole Miss, Nevada, Northern Iowa, La Salle, Miami, Oregon State, and Western Kentucky.

2020 will mark the fourth consecutive year of the Cayman Islands Classic, former champions include George Mason, Creighton and Cincinnati.

This marks the first year the Panthers will play in the tournament.

The tournament will take place November 23-25 in the John Gray Gymnasium in George Town, Grand Cayman.

The full schedule for the Cayman Islands Classic will be announced in the coming months.

Iowa Eyeing June 1st Return?

University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld said he’s anticipating that the Hawkeye football team will resume team activities after June 1st.

Herrald made his comments to the Board of Regents following Big Ten Conference meetings that considered options for the upcoming football season.

He believes six to eight weeks of practice are needed to ensure player safety for the football season — but declined to explain whether Iowa or any institution could play games without fans.

Herrald clarified his comments again Thursday evening, saying that the university’s first priority remains the health and safety of student athletes and fans.

All three of the state’s public universities expect to resume classes on time for the fall semester.

Sports, Thursday, April 30th

By Nathan Bloechl · Thursday, April 30th, 2020 at 11:26 am CDT

Spencer Lee Named Co-Winner of James E. Sullivan Award:

University of Iowa junior Spencer Lee was named co-winner of the AAU James E. Sullivan Award on Wednesday, presented annually since 1930 to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States.

The winner is determined by public vote, media vote, and committee vote.

Lee shared the award with Oregon women’s basketball player Sabrina Ionescu.

It is the third time in the 90-year history of the Sullivan Award that co-winners were selected.

Lee is the fourth wrestler to be recognized. He joins Bruce Baumgartner, Rulon Gardner, John Smith, and Kyle Snyder as past amateur wrestling award winners.

The Sullivan Awards are held annually at the New York Athletic Club. This is the first year they were held virtually.

All 10 of this year’s finalists will be invited to visit the NYAC in 2021.

Lee and Ionescu are both invited to celebrate their awards with the AAU at Walt Disney World.

Iowa’s Stanley Awarded Big Ten Medal of Honor:

University of Iowa seniors Hannah Greenlee (rowing) and Nate Stanley (football) were named Iowa’s Big Ten Medal of Honor winners for 2019-20 as announced by the UI Department of Athletics.

The Big Ten Medal of Honor is the conference’s most exclusive award, and the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics to recognize academic and athletic excellence.

The Big Ten Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1915 to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each university who had “attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work.”

Stanley, who is a native of Menomonie, Wisconsin, was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the recently completed 2020 NFL Draft.

He started all 13 games in 2019, passing for 2,951 yards and 16 touchdowns, and all 39 games the past three seasons.

Iowa posted a 27-12 record in Stanley’s three seasons as starting quarterback. He ranks second in career passing touchdowns (68), career passing yards (8,302), career completions (673), and career pass attempts (1,155), and ranks third in career total offense (8,198).

Stanley is one of five quarterbacks in program history to start three bowl games in their careers, and the second to win all three.

Cyclone Basketball Team Adds Memphis Transfer:

Iowa State has signed Memphis transfer Tyler Harris as announced Tuesday by head coach Steve Prohm.

Harris is a 5-9 junior guard from Memphis, Tennessee.

Named the 2017 Gatorade Player of the Year in Tennessee, Harris connected on 138 career 3-pointers and averaged 8.7 points as a sophomore for the Tigers averaging 9.9 points over his two-year career in Memphis while shooting 37 percent from the field and 33 percent behind the arc.

Harris scored a season-high 19 points in a home win against Wichita State in 2020, connecting on five 3-pointers and reached double figures in six of his final nine games of the season.

Harris was a four-star recruit, ranked among the top 150 players nationally as a senior in high school.

NCAA Takes Steps Towards Student-Athlete Endorsements:

At its meeting this week, the Board of Governors supported rule changes to allow student-athletes to receive compensation for third-party endorsements both related to and separate from athletics.

It also supports compensation for other student-athlete opportunities, such as social media, businesses they have started and personal appearances within the guiding principles originally outlined by the board in October.

While student-athletes would be permitted to identify themselves by sport and school, the use of conference and school logos, trademarks or other involvement would not be allowed.

The board emphasized that at no point should a university or college pay student-athletes for name, image and likeness activities.

The board directed all three divisions to consider appropriate rules changes based on recommendations from its Federal and State Legislation Working Group.

Sports, Wednesday, April 29th

By Nathan Bloechl · Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 at 11:39 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Mount Pleasant’s Magnani Honored:

Former Mount Pleasant High School standout Jordan Magnani has been named recipient of the Coaches’ Appreciation Award at Cornell College this year.

Magnani started all 26 games for the Rams, averaging 14.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

He was also the Team Newcomer of the Year in his freshman season, along with being named to the All-Academic Midwest Conference team.

Cornell finished this season with a record of 14-12.

Iowa’s Wirfs Anxious to Begin Career in Tampa:

Former Mount Vernon star and Hawkeye offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs is anxious to get to Tampa Bay and begin workouts.

Wirfs was taken by the Buccaneers after they traded up for the 13th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Wirfs will be limited to working out in the Iowa City area.

“I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been the past six weeks. I go to a privately owned gym in Iowa City. Some things I have to improvise, it’s a CrossFit gym, so they don’t have as much as the Iowa gym, but it’s been good” Wirfs said.

Wirfs will join former Iowa teammate Anthony Nelson in Tampa.

“He taught me so much about pass rushers, he and I did a player report on each other. He gave me a scouting report on what I can do better and I did one on him. It’s going to be blast” Wirfs remarked.

The mammoth tackle joins a Tampa Bay team that has had a surreal offseason, inking first-ballot Hall-of-Fame quarterback Tom Brady.

The Bucs finished last season 7-9.

IHSAA Board of Control Approves Wrestling Changes:

Five recommendations from the regular April meeting of the IHSAA’s wrestling advisory committee were approved unanimously by the Board of Control last week. The changes, effective in the 2020-21 season:

  • To allow schools to opt out of dual team postseason events by the first competition date.
  • To qualify the 16 sectional champions and the next eight highest-ranked teams (by the IWCOA) for the regional dual team tournament in Class 2A and Class 1A.
  • If a sectional champion opted out of dual team postseason, the next highest-ranked team would qualify.
  • To reduce the state traditional tournament seeding criteria regarding common opponents from two points back to one point.
  • To seed all 16 wrestlers in each bracket for the state traditional tournament.
  • To allow host tournament directors to determine the length of sub varsity matches at local regular season events.

The wrestling advisory committee previously met in February to discuss the State Dual Tournament and wrestling postseason dates.

No changes were recommended by the advisory committee at that time.

Red Hot Hawkeyes Pick Up Another Commit:

The Iowa Hawkeye football team picked up another commitment from Kansas prep Arland Bruce IV.

Bruce, who played his prep ball at Olathe North, chose Iowa over Iowa State, Tulsa and FCS Western Illinois.

Listed as an athlete, Bruce rushed for 2,487 yards and a video game-esque 43 touchdowns last season.

Bruce is the 13th commit in the class of 2021, which is now up to second in the Big Ten and is currently the sixth-ranked class in the country.

Sports, Tuesday, April 26th

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 at 11:27 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Drake Stadium Sits Empty During Relays Weekend:

Last weekend should have seen the always intense Drake Relays but instead Drake stadium sat empty.

The meet was postponed last month due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Relays director Blake Boldon said it was an emotional weekend even though it was the right call to postpone.

“It’s emotionally challenging to be working from home, remotely, not at Drake Stadium with 15,000 people and the world’s best athletes and the best athletes in Iowa. But ultimately we know that it’s not more important than the safety all those involved” Boldon explained.

The Drake Relays have seen some of the greatest track athletes of all-time compete in our state capital.

The Drake Relays have been running since 1910.

Minor League Teams in Iowa Future Uncertain:

Baseball America is reporting that Minor League Baseball is ready to accept a plan by Major League baseball to cut 40 affiliated teams in a new Professional Baseball Agreement.

Midwest League franchises in Burlington and Clinton were on a list for contraction last November.

The Clinton LumberKings joined the Midwest League in 1956 and are the oldest franchise in the league.

Ted Tornow is the team’s general manager.

“If Major League Baseball thanks it’s wise, if they’re thinking if it’s smart to do — then they’ve have more problems. You would literally decimate 40-some communities that have had baseball for years and years” Tornow said.

Meanwhile, the nearby Bees have called Burlington home since 1889, back when they were called the Burlington Babies — they’ve played their home games at Community Field since 1947.

The Bees support 180 full-time jobs in Des Moines County and generates, directly and indirectly, approximately $4.7 million in yearly wages,

Last year the Bees finished second in the Midwest League Midwestern Division — they’ve seen MLB Hall of Famers Paul Molitor, Larry Walker and Billy Williams all play for their franchise.

Hawkeyes Illinois Tackle Prospect:

The Iowa Hawkeye football team has been busy on the recruiting trail of late and yesterday was no different as they secured a commitment from Illinois prep tackle David Davidkov.

Davidkov, a 6-foot-6, 295 pound senior to be, was ranked as the country’s 9th best offensive tackle and is a top-60 player overall.

A native of Winnetka, Illinois, Davidkov picked Iowa over offers from LSU, Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Davidkov is Iowa’s 12th commitment and third along the offensive line in the Class of 2021.

Sports, Monday, April 27th

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, April 27th, 2020 at 11:27 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Seven Hawkeyes Move to NFL:

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz now can lay claim to the 75 draftees under his watch.

Five of his former team members were selected over the weekend as a part of the 2020 NFL Draft, undoubtedly one for the ages.

This year’s class was headlined by Mount Vernon standout OL Tristan Wirfs, who was selected 13th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A.J Epenesa heard his name called in the second round, where he went 54th overall to the Buffalo Bills.

Epenesa finished his career in Iowa City with 26.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles.

Corner Michael Ojemudia went in the third round, 77th overall to the Denver Broncos.

There, Ojemudia will join former teammate and Bronco 2019 first-rounder TE Noah Fant.

Two Hawkeyes were selected in the 7th round: safety Geno Stone and quarterback Nate Stanley.

Stone went 218th overall to the Baltimore Ravens, while Stanley went 244th to the Minnesota Vikings.

Tight end Nate Wieting signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns, while linebacker Kristian Welch signed as an undrafted free agent with Baltimore, where he’ll join college teammate Geno Stone.

Five Cyclones Sign UDFA Deals:

Five Iowa State Cyclone football players signed undrafted free agent contracts, Saturday evening following the conclusion of the NFL Draft.

Long snapper Steve Wirtel is headed to the Motor City, to snap for the Lions. He headlines the group and was a legitimate late round candidate.

Linebacker Marcel Spears will head to Cincinnati, Julian Good-Jones is off  to the city of Brotherly Love, where he’ll compete for a spot with the Eagles, Josh Knipfel will join Spears in Cincinnati, while Ray Lima is heading to South Beach, inking a deal with the Miami Dolphins.

No Cyclones were selected in rounds 1-7.

UNI’s Green To Test NBA Waters:

Northern Iowa guard A.J. Green has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft, reports indicate.

Green will not sign an agent, maintaining his eligibility for Ben Jacobson’s squad.

The Cedar Falls standout poured in nearly 20 points per game along with three boards and three assists last season for the Panthers.

He shot 42% from the field, 39% from downtown and 92% from the line.

Green was named the 2020 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, while being selected to the All-Missouri Valley team for the second straight season.

Green joins Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton and Iowa’ Luka Garza as in-state players who are attempting a jump to the NBA.

Wieskamp Returning for Junior Campaign:

On the contrary, rising sophomore Joe Wieskamp will return to Iowa City for his junior season, bypassing the NBA Draft process.

Wieskamp went through the NBA process last year as a freshman.

The Muscatine, Iowa native was a third-team All-Big Ten choice after averaging 14 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

His return to the Hawkeyes would give a big boost in the event Luka Garza remains in the draft and does not opt to return for his senior season.

Sports, Saturday, April 25th

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, April 25th, 2020 at 4:45 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Magnani Stays In-State, Chooses UNI:

Mount Pleasant senior Lexi Magnani is staying in her home-state.

Yesterday, the defending Class 3A Girls’ shot-put state champion made her decision official by signing to throw at the University of Northern Iowa.

Magnani announced her decision on a Zoom video conference with several friends and family, Friday afternoon.

Last year, after a driving rainstorm, Magnani throttled the rest of the 3A field with a throw of 42 feet-5.25 inches to cement herself as 3A’s best.

The dynamic senior said the Panthers might also have her work on the hammer and discus throws at the next level.

Magnani, like every other athlete this spring, will not get to compete due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mount Pleasant, Other Henry County Schools Light Up Mapleleaf For a Cause:

Last night the lights were on at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex — among many other Henry County schools — to celebrate the the Class of 2020.

As previously mentioned, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the entire spring sports season, ending the high school careers of local senior student-athletes.

The lights went on at 8 p.m. Friday evening and stayed on for one minute for every day the students have missed at school.

This program was dubbed the ‘Light Up Iowa’ program and was created by the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association.

NFL Draft: Epenesa, Ojemudia Go on Day Two: 

Day Two of the NFL Draft ended the slide for Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa while also seeing his teammate Michael Ojemudia being selected as well.

Epenesa, who many thought would be a first-round choice, was taken 54th overall by the Buffalo Bills.

The former Hawkeye star will join a Bills team that went to the playoffs last year as an AFC Wild Card.

Meanwhile, Hawkeye defensive back Michael Ojemudia was taken in the third by Vic Fangio’s Denver Broncos.

Ojemudia will also join his former college teammate and Bronco 2019 first-round pick Noah Fant.

Cyclone Football Lands Two More in Recruiting Wave:

Iowa State landed a pair of 2021 recruits in the form of Johnston (IA.) tight end Tyler Moore and Wadsworth, Ohio linebacker Carston Marshall.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Moore helped led the Dragons to five wins this year while hauling in 20 catches for 307 yards and four scores.

Moore choose the Cyclones after spurning other offers from MAC conference schools.

According to 24/7 Sports, Moore is the 19th best in-state recruit.

Meanwhile the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Marshall is the second linebacker from the Buckeye State to commit to Iowa State in as many days, joining Myles Mendeszoon, who committed yesterday.

Similarly to Moore, Marshall turned down other offers from Mid-American Conference including Western Michigan among others.

Marshall accumulated 71 tackles including five sacks last season.

The commitments bring the Cyclones total to 13 for the 2021 recruiting class.

On The Blog: KILJ’s Day 1 NFL Draft Grades

By Nathan Bloechl · Friday, April 24th, 2020 at 3:56 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

KILJ — The NFL Draft presented it’s usual entertainment with reaches, trades and drama last night. Here’s a look at the entire first round with grades and analysis.

Also, bonus points for no technical malfunctions. For an all virtual draft, things went pretty seamless last night for the Shield.

1.) Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Grade: A+

  • Burrow is the cleanest and safest prospect to enter the draft since probably Andrew Luck. He lit the NCAA on fire and the Bengals made no funny business by selecting the hometown hero.

2.) Washington Redskins — Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Grade: A

  • Another chalky selection, Young is probably pound-for-pound the best talent in the class. The selection gives Washington one of the scarier fronts with four first round selections. Young will be an instant impact defender.

3.) Detroit Lions — Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State 

Grade: A

  • I thought Detroit might trade down a few spots and still take the draft’s top corner, but instead they stayed put and did not risk it. Okudah will be the Lions top corner on Day One and it’s a logical decision after they traded Darius Slay. Urban Meyer cleaned up shop with his 2017 recruiting class, Burrow, Young and Okudah all were at Ohio State together for two seasons.

4.) New York Giants — Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Grade: C+

  • I didn’t think Thomas was the best tackle prospect in the class but it was a glaring need for G-Men. With Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones and now Thomas, the Giants are starting to form an identity on offense, even if I thought it was a bit of a reach.

5.) Miami Dolphins — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Grade: A+

  • It’s hard to argue against the Dolphins winning the draft last night. Not only did they secure the second best quarterback in the class, they did it without having to move up. Tagovailoa can rest up this season behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and make sure that surgically repaired hip is 100% before taking flight as the Fins full-time starter in 2021. He’s been compared to Drew Brees.

6.) Los Angeles Chargers — Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon 

Grade: B-

  • I thought this too was a slight reach, but it’s hard to fault the Bolts for thinking Herbert can be “their guy.” As enigmatic as they come, Herbert has shown flashes of brilliance as well as ineptitude. He can learn the ropes behind journeyman Tyrod Taylor before taking over the job in 2021.

7.) Carolina Panthers — Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

Grade: C-

  • Ew. Another reach at a position in which you can find players to fill a similar role later. I like Brown in a vacuum, but I don’t see the pass rush upside that a prospect would need to be a defensive tackle taken this high. Especially when Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons was still on the board. I didn’t like it.

8.) Arizona Cardinals — Isaiah Simmons, ILB, Clemson 

Grade: A

  • Hard to dislike this pick. Simmons was rumored to go inside the top-5 and the Cards snag the versatile defender here at 8. Arizona is going to be to very good in a short time. Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, Chandler Jones, Isaiah Simmons. That’s a good nucleus. Plus Kliff Kingsbury is one of the coolest coaches in the NFL. I mean look at that living room.

9.) Jacksonville Jaguars — C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida 

Grade: B

  • A fine, if unspectacular pick, Henderson fills a need for the Jags. I was surprised they did not look to trade back — perhaps with Atlanta — at this spot.

10.) Cleveland Browns — Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

Grade: A

  • I thought Wills was the top tackle prospect in the class, so Cleveland getting him at 10 is nice value. Baker Mayfield desperately needed better offenisve line play and the Browns did not veer off of their top need. When top value meets top need it’s always an “A” in my book.

11.) New York Jets — Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville 

Grade: B

  • The run on tackles was really real. I was surprised this wasn’t Wirfs, but as always NFL teams’ boards always look different than the general consensus. I think Becton is fine. Plus, ESPN showed a video of him pushing a truck after being selected. That’s the content we all need.

12.) Las Vegas Raiders — Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama 

Grade: C-

  • The Raiders are not afraid of going against the group-think. With CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy there for the taking, the Raiders instead opted for WR3 Henry Ruggs. Ruggs is… fast — but not much else. I hope for their sake this isn’t Darius Heyward-Bey 2.0.

13.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TRADE) — Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa 

Grade: A

  • Whether you think Wirfs best spot at the next level is guard or tackle, getting a talent like him at this spot in the draft is a win. The Buccaneers are building something special and now have all the right ingredients around Hall-of-Fame quarterback Tom Brady.

14.) San Francisco 49ers (TRADE) — Javon Kinlaw, iDL, South Carolina 

Grade: B+

  • I thought they might go with one of the two top WR’s left but opted to fill the need upfront with the powerful Javon Kinlaw. The Niners rode their defensive line to the Super Bowl last year and after trading DeForest Buckner to the Colts, they use the selection they got back for him for his cheaper replacement.

15.) Denver Broncos — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama 

Grade: A-

  • Love this pick for John Elway’s Broncos. Now with Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant and Jerry Jeudy, the Broncos continue stockpiling unique weapons for second-year signal caller Drew Lock.

16.) Atlanta Falcons — A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson 

Grade: D+

  • A major reach. Terrell was a second round player in my eye and the Falcons made him the 16th overall selection. They had a huge need in their barely-there secondary, but I thought LSU’s Kristian Fulton was a better selection.

17.) Dallas Cowboys — CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma 

Grade: A+

  • A grand slam. The Cowboys just sat and got one of the draft’s top talents in OU wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys now have Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Lamb. That is very scary for their NFC counterparts.

18.) Miami Dolphins — Austin Jackson, OT, USC 

Grade: B

  • I like Jackson. He’s a dancing bear with room to improve, but he’s got athleticism at tackle you just can’t teach. Miami taking the analytical approach to the draft: quarterback and left tackle. Jackson also has one of the coolest pre-draft stories:

19.) Las Vegas Raiders — Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State 

Grade: F

  • What the heck is Jon Gruden doing? Arnette is fine. But he’s a player that was projected as a 3rd or 4th round choice. To take him at 19? That’s borderline insane. I just don’t get it.

20.) Jacksonville Jaguars — K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

Grade: B

  • Another pick that doesn’t need much analysis. Chaisson will fill in for Yannick Ngakoue whenever he gets dealt.

21.) Philadelphia Eagles — Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU 

Grade: C+

  • Why Reagor went before Justin Jefferson is a mystery only the good lord above will know. Reagor is a fine player — he was hamstrung at TCU by bad, awul QB play — but I thought there were more talented players on the board. He fills a need.

22.) Minnesota Vikings — Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU 

Grade: A+

  • Jefferson falling into the laps of the Vikings is so hard to see as a Packer guy like myself. Jefferson is so silky smooth and he’s an elite route runner. Just a home run for Minny.

23.) Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE) — Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma 

Grade: C

  • I hate that the Chargers gave up two Day Two picks to move up fourteen spots to select an ILB. I like Murray as a prospect, just not where he was selected and the assets it took to acquire him. He is, however, everything you look for in a modern three-down NFL linebacker.

24.) New Orleans Saints — Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan 

Grade: C-

  • Another head-scratcher as the Saints go back to center for the second consecutive draft. Last year it was Texas A&M’s Erik McCoy, this year it’s Ruiz. I see why they did it — Drew Brees kryptonite is interior pressure — but I thought there were better options available.

25.) San Francisco 49ers (TRADE) — Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State 

Grade: A

  • Love the player, love the fit. Love everything about it. Aiyuk is going to be a monster in San Francisco with Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers have an embarrassment of riches. A grand slam.

26.) Green Bay Packers (TRADE) — Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Grade: F

  • Brutal. Incomprehensible. Irresponsible. For a team that two years ago inked Aaron Rodgers to a monster extension, Brian Gutekunst taking his successor this early is a really tough reality. It’s compounded by them trading up to do so. Love is massively unrefined. He has a strong arm and not much else. There’s no selling this pick to Packer fandom. It was straight up a bad pick. Quite clearly, the only way we look back fondly on this selection is if he turns into Patrick Mahomes. I have my reservations.

27.) Seattle Seahawks — Jordyn Brooks, ILB, Texas Tech 

Grade: D

  • The Seahawks suck at drafting in the first round. Rashaad Penny (bad), L.J. Collier (who?) and now Brooks, the Seahawks last three first round choices all make zero sense. Maybe they think Brooks’ athleticism will translate, but his tape at Texas Tech wasn’t great. I had a second/third round grade on him.

28.) Baltimore Ravens — Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU 

Grade: A+

  • How is it that Baltimore always sits tight and gets good players? Queen is just the next in line of great Ravens interior defenders following in the footsteps of Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware and Terrell Suggs. The rich get richer.

29.) Tennessee Titans — Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia 

Grade: B-

  • Tennessee went offensive line: good. They did not take Josh Jones: bad. I had a late second round grade on Wilson. I just don’t think he has athletic ability to hold up on the left side of the line. He might kick in at guard. The Titans needed to replace the departure of Jack Conklin, they did just that.

30.) Miami Dolphins — Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn 

Grade: C+

  • Not a great selection value-wise, but I really like the player. Igbinoghene is a tough, in your chest corner and he certainly fits the mold of a Brian Flores player. They have a bit of a “No-Fly Zone” deal going on with Byron Jones, Xavien Howard and now Igbinoghene. I just think they could have traded down into the second to get him. It takes two to tango, however.

31.) Minnesota Vikings — Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU 

Grade: A

  • Minnesota had a really strong Day One. With Justin Jefferson in tow, Rick Spielman addresses his concerns in the secondary with Horned Frog dynamo Jeff Gladney. I really, really like Gladney. I think he has #1 corner ability and swagger. He’s in your face and feisty. You can’t coach that type of demeanor. He’ll team up with Mike Hughes.

32.) Kansas City Chiefs — Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU 

Grade: A

  • A luxury pick few get to achieve, the world champion Chiefs were able to take the best availbale player regardless of position. They’re so loaded. Edward-Helaire is a great pass catching back and is rocked up at 5’8. He’s going to be fun to watch there. He reminds of former Florida State Seminole Warrick Dunn.