Where will Ikem Ekwonu, Sam Howell and other UNC, NC State prospects go in NFL draft?
The first round of the 2022 NFL draft starts Thursday night in Las Vegas (8 p.m., EST).
Rounds two and three are set for Friday (7 p.m.), with the later rounds starting at noon on Saturday.
Several players from the Triangle are expected to hear their names called over the three-day span.
Up to six players from UNC and N.C. State are projected to be drafted, with several others waiting for free agent deals after the draft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the top pick for the second straight year.
The Wolfpack and Tar Heels could each see a former player go on Day One. The majority of former area players will likely hear their names called in the later rounds on Friday or Saturday based on current projections.
First off the board?
That would be former N.C. State left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. The player known as “Ickey” could be first off the board, based on some draft projections.
Ekwonu (6-4, 320 pounds) started every game this season at left tackle for the Wolfpack. The Charlotte native was a consensus first-team All-American, the first for N.C. State since defensive end Bradley Chubb in 2017. Ekwonu was just the third consensus All-American in school history. Ekwonu led the team with 67 pancake blocks and 18 knockdowns. He allowed just two sacks in 829 snaps.
Ekwonu started seven games as a true freshman in 2019 and never looked back. Over the past two years he has started 24 games, playing both guard and tackle in 2020.
He’s in play with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have the No. 1 overall pick. Many expect he’ll be gone by pick five, or maybe six to his hometown Carolina Panthers. Either way, Ekwonu won’t be in the green room long.
CBSSports.com has Ekwonu as the top draft pick, which would make him the first No. 1 overall pick from N.C. State since Mario Williams in 2006. Chubb went No. 5 to the Denver Broncos in 2018.
NFL.com has him going fifth overall to the New York Giants.
At the NFL Combine, Ekwonu ran a 4.93 40 yard-dash. At N.C. State’s pro day, Ekwonu did 26 reps on the bench press.
“I think his tape speaks for itself,” ESPN NFL draft and college football analyst Jordan Reid told The News and Observer in February.
Another first-round pick?
UNC quarterback Sam Howell is the only other Triangle player who could go on Thursday.
Some mock drafts have Howell going late in the first round, while others have him as an early pick on Day 2. CBSsports.com has Howell going No. 41 overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Pro Football Network has him going as high as No. 11 overall to the Washington Commanders.
“He’s one that’s kind of hard to get a feel for, honestly,” Reid said. “The people that I’ve talked to around the league, some people see him as a bonafide first-rounder and some people see him as a top of the second round type of player.”
Howell started all three seasons at UNC and left Chapel Hill as the school’s record holder in yards passing (10,283) and total offense (11,292).
“I’ve seen Sam three times now. I saw him at the Senior Bowl, I saw him in the bowl game versus South Carolina and one other game,” Reid said. “The deep accuracy is probably the one area I think is the best in his game. He has fantastic deep touch. I think he’s the best deep-ball thrower of any quarterback in this class. And he has a very strong arm, that’s something that’s noticeable about him.”
The last UNC quarterback drafted in the first round was Mitchell Trubisky, who went No. 2 overall to the Chicago Bears in 2017.
Late-round projections?
Joshua Ezeudu, UNC offensive lineman
Played in 24 games in three seasons at UNC, playing some left tackle, but eventually finding a home at guard. Ezeudu was an all-ACC honorable mention selection in 2021. He ran a 5.19 40 yard-dash at the combine. Projected to go in round four or five.
Ty Chandler, UNC running back
In 13 games Chandler, who transferred from Tennessee, carried the ball 182 times for 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 15 passes for 216 yards and one score. Those numbers made Chandler an all-ACC second-team selection in his lone season in Chapel Hill.
He led the Vols in rushing twice. At the combine, Chandler ran a 4.3 40. He’s projected to go in round five or six. Chandler also has the ability to be a kick returner. He is ranked fifth in Tennessee history in all-purpose yards (3,245).
Marcus McKethan, UNC offensive lineman
McKethan (6-6, 340) started 37 games at guard for the Tar Heels. Was an all-ACC honorable mention selection in 2020 and 2021. UNC was second in the ACC in rushing yards per game (212.5) in 2021. McKethan is projected to go in the sixth or seventh round.
Zonovan Knight, N.C. State running back
Knight led the Wolfpack in rushing with 753 yards and three touchdowns. He made a big splash this season on special teams. He returned two kickoffs for scores this season and has three kickoff returns for touchdowns in his career. At the combine, Knight (5-11, 209) ran a 4.58 40 yard-dash and had a 31-inch vertical.
Reid thinks Knight’s ability to contribute on special teams makes him appealing to teams.
“Him being able to wear more hats, showing that he can be a return specialist, that definitely can help him out a lot, especially if he goes to a team that has a running back that gets a lot of carries,” Reid said. “He can find himself on the field quicker, just because he is a return specialist.”
The former Southern Nash star is projected to go on Day Three of the draft.
Trenton Gill, N.C. State punter
Former N.C. State punter A.J. Cole (Las Vegas Raiders) signed a four-year deal worth $12 million ($5.9 guaranteed) in December. Gill hopes to follow in Cole’s footsteps in the NFL like he did at N.C. State. Gill set the school record for punt average (46.3) as a junior. He’s projected to go in the seventh round or be a priority free agent.
This story was originally published April 27, 2022 at 5:10 AM.
