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Gordon was a top 25-ranked cornerback nationally out of Archbishop Murphy High School in Washington, where he racked up more than 1,300 yards from scrimmage as a senior. He redshirted in 2018 but played in four games as a reserve (two tackles). Gordon earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in each of the next two seasons despite being stuck behind loads of talent in the Huskies' secondary. He played in all 13 games with four starts in 2019 (32 tackles, four pass breakups) and played in all four games with one start in 2020 (18 tackles, one pass breakup). Pac-12 coaches voted Gordon and fellow UW corner Trent McDuffie as first-team All-Pac-12 defenders in 2021 (46 tackles, two for loss, two interceptions, team-high seven pass breakups in 12 starts). -- by Chad Reuter

Brisker returned to school in 2021 and garnered second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team all-conference accolades. He started 12 games (64 tackles, career-high six for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups) before opting out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter

Velus (pronounced VAY-lus) transferred from USC to Tennessee for the 2020 season and started six of 10 games played for the Volunteers (22-280-12.7, three TDs receiving; 3-16-5.3 rushing; 18-398-22.1 kickoff returns). His receiving production greatly increased in 2021 (62-807-13.0, seven TDs) and he shared SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors with Alabama receiver Jameson Williams as a return specialist (23-628-27.3, one TD kick returns; 18-272-15.1 punt returns). Jones had moved across the country when signing with the Trojans, arriving in Los Angeles after earning first-team all-state honors at Saraland High School in Alabama. As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 14 games as a reserve wideout (6-46-7.7 receiving; 5-15-3.0 rushing) and top kick returner (31-760-24.5). Jones received more work on offense as a sophomore (24-266-11.1, one TD receiving; 6-13-2.2, one TD rushing, four starts in 12 games) while still returning kicks (21-483-23.0). His work as a receiver dropped off in 2019 (6-35-5.8 receiving) but Pac-12 coaches noted his special team contributions by voting him second-team all-conference as a kick returner (29-704-24.3, one TD). -- by Chad Reuter

Jones was named a first-team All-Big Sky Conference pick the past two seasons, starting all six games at left tackle in the 2021 spring season and all 11 contests last fall. He was a third-team all-conference selection in 2019, starting 10 contests on the blindside. Jones played in one game during his redshirt season and in eight games as a reserve in 2018. -- by Chad Reuter

Robinson was a productive quarterback at Canton McKinley High School in Ohio, but signed as a receiver for the RedHawks. He played in seven games as a reserve as a true freshman in 2017 and scored four touchdowns on just 13 receptions (156 yards, 12.0 per) in 12 games with five starts in 2018. Robinson started eight of 14 games played in 2019 (14-296-21.1) before making the move to defense. The team's 2020 season was shortened due to COVID-19, but he showed glimpses of talent as a pass rusher (nine tackles, 2.5 for loss with two sacks). Though Robinson did not start in 2021, MAC coaches appreciated his blossoming talent enough to vote him third-team all-conference (29 tackles, 8.5 for loss with 4.5 sacks in 12 games). -- by Chad Reuter

Thomas did not go far to matriculate to SDSU, driving south about 40 minutes from his home in Carlsbad. He redshirted his first year on campus, played in all 13 games as a reserve in 2017 and then earned two starts in three contests played at right guard in 2018. Thomas grabbed the starting right tackle job in 2019, beginning the final nine games and making 12 appearances overall. He garnered second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2020 for his work in eight starts at right tackle and then graduated to first-team recognition in 13 games (12 starts) at left tackle in 2021. His brother, Cameron, was a defensive lineman for San Diego State and is also a member of the 2022 draft class. -- by Chad Reuter

As a true freshman in 2017, Ebner was active as a rusher (23-121-5.3, two TDs) and receiver (20-267-13.4, three TDs) in 11 contests. Ebner's versatility was on display in 13 appearances in 2018 (69-413-6.0, one TD rushing; 29-348-12.0, one TD receiving; one start) and in 14 games as a junior (53-250-4.7, three TDs rushing; 24-317-13.2, two TDs receiving; three starts). Ebner earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year recognition in 2020, tying for the FBS lead with two kick return scores and ranking sixth with a 32.2-yard average (19-612). He was also named honorable mention all-conference for his contributions on offense (50-107-2.1, one TD rushing; 26-299-11.5, three TDs receiving in nine games, two starts). Ebner put a bow on an outstanding all-purpose career in 2021 by again being named the conference Special Teams Player of the Year (24-538-22.4, one TD kick returns: 19-154-8.1 punt returns) and achieving career highs as a rusher (149-801-5.4, two TDs; also 28-284-10.1, two TDs receiving) in 14 games with six starts. -- by Chad Reuter

Kramer started eight games at center as a redshirt freshman, missing four due to injury. He started all 12 games in the middle of the line for the Illini in 2018. Kramer was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick in 2019, starting 12 games in the pivot before missing the Redbox Bowl with a leg injury suffered in the final regular season game. He returned to start five games at center in 2020, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors despite missing three contests due to COVID-19 protocols and injury. The three-time team captain started all 12 games and was named a second-team all-conference selection by league coaches in 2021. -- by Chad Reuter

Carter was a basketball star at White Castle High School in Louisiana, winning the state's Class 1A Outstanding Player of the Year as a senior. He started five of nine games played at left tackle for the Jaguars as a true freshman. Carter started all 13 games in 2019 and all five of the team's games in the shortened 2021 spring season, garnering first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) honors. SWAC coaches voted him second-team all-league after he started all 11 games in the fall. -- by Chad Reuter

The first-team All-California and Whittier Daily News All-Area Player of the Year in 2016 (five TDs receiving, five interceptions, three punt return TDs) started seven of 12 games played at cornerback as a true freshman (38 tackles, two for loss, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles). Hicks started 11 of 13 games played the following season (31 tackles, five for loss, one interception returned for a score, two pass breakups) and then 12 of 13 appearances as a junior (44 tackles, two for loss, five pass breakups). Hicks did not start the team's bowl game after the 2019 season but played corner and safety in the contest, portending a position change. He started all four of the Bears' games at safety in 2020 (28 tackles, one interception, two pass breakups) and landed on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his efforts raising funds for families affected by COVID-19. Hicks stayed at safety in 2021, earning first-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors by tying for the league lead with four forced fumbles and tying for second among Pac-12 DBs with three interceptions while making a career-high 72 tackles, 5.5 for loss in 12 starts. -- by Chad Reuter

Gill walked on at N.C. State after excelling in soccer and football at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough. He redshirted in 2017 and played in one game in 2018 before receiving his scholarship prior to the 2019 season, going on to earn third-team All-ACC honors after ranking third in the FBS with a school-record 47.6 yards per punt (56-2,663, 17 fair catches, 16 inside the 20-yard line, seven touchbacks, one blocked). Gill was the team's starter in 2020 (52-2,334-44.9, 18 fair catches, 18 inside the 20, six touchbacks, one blocked) and was named to the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team for his community service. He landed first-team all-conference accolades as a senior for the Wolfpack, averaging 45.1 yards per punt (65-2,930, 23 fair catches, 31 inside the 20, five touchbacks). Gill was also a kickoff specialist for three years, creating 114 touchbacks on 198 kicks and made four tackles in coverage. -- by Chad Reuter