By Matthew Golden
SouthernPigskin.com

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UVA’s Bryce Hall is hidden in the treasure of one of the most talented corner back classes in NFL Draft history.

In less than a week, hundreds of NFL prospects dreams will quickly transform to reality. The 2020 NFL Draft is one of the more anticipated classes that the leagues seen in a very long time.

Loaded with future potential franchise cornerstones and quarterbacks, the headlines will undoubtably be dominated by superstar names like Joe Burrow, Isaiah Simmons, and Chase Young.

While the top of this class grabs all the attention it needs, the real interest in the historic 2020 class is the amount of depth and potential that the first two days could hold.

Specifically, this years receiver and cornerback groups are loaded with talented prospects and depth. Behind the x9cbig threex9d of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, and Ceedee Lamb; there are 19 other receivers that have received draft grades within the first three rounds.

On the opposing side of the ball, the defensive back group has been put under a microscope as anywhere from five to eight cornerbacks could be selected in the first round. Ohio State standout Jeff Okudah is the consensus number one cornerback prospect in the draft, with much controversy around the following order of pass defenders.

Floridas C.J. Henderson and Utahs Jaylon Johnson have picked up heavy momentum leading into the week of the draft, with some NFL scouts believing the former Gator defensive back could find himself being a top ten pick. Alabamas Trevon Diggs and LSUs Kristian Fulton are also projected to be first round picks after standing out in the vaunted SEC this past season.

TCUs Jeff Gladney, Auburns Noah Igbinoghene , and Clemsons AJ Terrell round out the top tier of corners expected to be picked within the first two rounds this upcoming week.

Hidden in the treasure of a loaded cornerback class is maybe the most underrated prospect exiting college football.

At the conclusion of last years NFL Draft, former Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall sat atop most organizations boards looking ahead, and at the time was viewed as the potential first defensive back off the board in the 2020 NFL Draft.

In 2018, Hall would lead the nation with 22 pass break ups, and finish tied for first with 24 passes defended. Holding up reliable in the secondary and being able to make an impact stopping the run undoubtedly earned Hall the honor of First Team All ACC.

Entering his senior campaign, Hall was named to the Preseason Phil Steele All-America team, while also being placed upon watchlists for the Bednarik and Nagurski award.
The highly regarded corners season was struck short on October 11th after being awkwardly rolled up in an away game at Miami. It was quickly learned that the talented defensive back would require surgery in order to fully heal from his injury that dealt him a broken fibula, torn deltoid ligaments and a dislocated ankle.

Since his injury, Hall reportedly has progressively gotten healthier and is expected to be 100 percent by the time training camps take place. Even though the corner couldnt perform in the NFL Combine drills, he still took place in interviews and was able to meet with teams to get a feel for where he could possibly land.

Listed at 61, Hall presents the ideal stature of a press cornerback in the eyes of NFL scouts. His lengthy arms allow him the opportunity to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, while his speed allows him to have a larger range in coverage,

Physicals aside, scouts love what they see from Hall on film. Despite his senior season being cut short, the Cavs cornerback was able to build quite the resume through his first three years with the program. Halls tape has led NFL scouts to believe that the cornerback presents all the physical tools and mental ability to play the corner position at the next level.

Where Hall lands is largely up to which organization is comfortable picking a player with the injury background that he has. While Halls talent obviously deserves to go in the first round, his injury status and health concerns will most likely lead teams to wait until the second or third round to take a risk.

Though not as once expected, Bryce Hall is going to have is name called within the next week and be selected to an NFL organization. While the level of cornerbacks in this draft are at a premium, it wouldnt surprise me at all if Bryce Hall is the top cornerback out of this draft class when its all said and done.