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Buccaneers: Washington Huskies 2018 NFL Draft prospects to watch

By James Yarcho

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 08: Defensive lineman Vita Vea of the Washington Huskies looks on prior to the game against the Oregon Ducks on October 8, 2016 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 08: Defensive lineman Vita Vea of the Washington Huskies looks on prior to the game against the Oregon Ducks on October 8, 2016 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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Next in our 40 Teams in 40 Days draft series is a look at the Washington Huskies and their potential Buccaneers targets.

The Washington Huskies finished the 2017 season second in the PAC-12 with a 10-3 record, but lost their final game 35-28 to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. And although many football fans aren’t familiar with many of the Huskies players thanks in large part to the west coast games starting so late for us eastern time zone fans, there is already one name being linked to the Buccaneers as a potential day one pick.

Here are the draft eligible players from the Huskies;

Seniors:

Linebacker – Keishawn Bierria

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Wide Receiver – Dante Pettis

Wide Receiver – K.J. Young

Running Back – Lavon Coleman

Safety – Ezekial Turner

Linebacker – Connor O’Brien

Linebacker – Sean Constantine

Linebacker – Azeek Victor

Running Back – Ralph Kinne

Offensive Tackle – Andrew Kirkland

Center – Coleman Shelton

Tight End – David Ajamu

Wide Receiver – Forrest Dunivin

Tight End – Derek Hunter

Tight End – Will Dissly

Underclassmen:

Defensive Tackle – Vita Vea

SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 18: Lavon Coleman of the Washington Huskies rushes for a touchdown on a pass play from quarterback Jake Browning against the Utah Utes at Husky Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The touchdown pass gave Browning 76 for his career, setting the school record. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 18: Lavon Coleman of the Washington Huskies rushes for a touchdown on a pass play from quarterback Jake Browning against the Utah Utes at Husky Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The touchdown pass gave Browning 76 for his career, setting the school record. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Senior To Watch:  Running Back – Lavon Coleman

The 5’11”, 235 lb running back was relegated to second fiddle behind Myles Gaskin, but may prove to be a solid NFL running back if placed in the right backfield committee. Coleman finished his Huskies career with 374 carries for 2,000 yards – a 5.3 yards per carry average – and twelve touchdowns. He also had 31 receptions for 252 yards and three touchdowns.

Coleman is ranked by Luke Easterling as the 22nd running back in the class and is viewed as a day three pick by Walter Football. Like so many other backs I’ve talked about in this series, Coleman can be one of those late value guys, but all Buccaneers fans are hoping that Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter don’t wait that long to address the running back position like they did last year.

SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive lineman Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies defends against the Portland State Vikings on September 17, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive lineman Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies defends against the Portland State Vikings on September 17, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Underclassman To Watch: Defensive Tackle – Vita Vea

Surprise surprise. We’re already beginning to see Vita Vea linked to the Buccaneers as a potential first round target as a guy that can line up next to Gerald McCoy to improve the interior of an offensive line that needs help across the board.

Vea finished his three year career in Washington with 99 tackles, 9.5 sacks, fifteen tackles for loss, five passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. Aside from that, he is ranked as Easterling’s number one interior defensive lineman and is projected by Walter Football to go early in the first round.

Vea stands 6’5″, 340 lbs and his athleticism and speed for a man of that size is something scouts and analysts can only marvel at, as you can see below;

Vea is a phenomenal prospect that can help solidify the defensive line in the coming years, as well as be the anchor after Gerald McCoy retires.

Don’t be surprised to hear Vea’s name called when the Bucs are on the clock in April should Bradley Chubb be gone, as many believe he will be. Yes, it would be great to get the highly touted edge presence, but Vea is no slouch – so don’t sleep on him or the impact he could have.

Next: Stanford Cardinals 2018 Draft Prospects To Watch

Be sure to keep it locked in here for more on our 40 Teams in 40 Days draft series or go back in the draft section to check out any of our previous 27 schools we focus on.

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