Around this time every year, the NFL combine hosts the best of the best talents coming from college football in players who are ready to go to the next level.
This year, former Sam Houston Bearkat football cornerback Zyon McCollum has been gaining a lot of attention heading into the 2022 NFL draft.
The school has not had a defensive back drafted in the NFL since 1989, but that looks to be changed this year.
McCollum is currently projected as a third day draft pick, but that could be changed in the coming days thanks to his combine results.
He stood out among all corner backs at the combine having a 4.33 second 40-yard-dash. He also had the best three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle time of all the other cornerbacks at the combine.
He also was one of five players at the combine to receive an athleticism score of 99, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats department. He was the only corner to do so.
McCollum has also continued to gain national attention with his combine stats as multiple NFL and scouting reporters have continued to talk about his performance overall thanks to his combination of size and speed.
During his time at Sam Houston, he accumulated 13 total interceptions in five years, having three total in four of those seasons. He also had 54 total pass deflections and six forced fumbles as a captain of the Bearkats defense.
During their national championship run, he only had one interception in the shortened season but forced two of his six fumbles during that season. He also had 46 total tackles during that season.
McCollum also looks to be the first player drafted in the NFL from Sam Houston since P.J. Hall was in the 2018 draft.