NFL scouts took up an entire row in the Michigan Stadium press box to observe some of the top prospects for the upcoming draft when the Wolverines played against Southern California two weeks ago.
Representatives from 13 NFL teams attended, with three teams sending two people each to the important game.
The talent evaluators were easy to recognize—most of them had binoculars to see players better. Some had stopwatches next to their laptops, iPads, and notepads, while rosters with highlighted numbers showed which players they were particularly interested in.
The defending national champions have two players, cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Mason Graham, who are expected to be picked in the top five. Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant and tight end Colston Loveland are also projected to be first-round picks.
“Yeah, I’m aware of it, but I don’t take too much from that because it’s obviously a mock draft for a reason,” Graham said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I want to be top five by the end of the season.”
Johnson, on the other hand, said mock drafts motivate him.
“If I can go No. 1, that’s what I want to do,” he said, sitting in Schembechler Hall near a display of Michigan’s Heisman Trophy winners.
