Washington State DT Mata'afa to enter NFL Draft
Jan 1, 2018 - 5:07 PM Washington State redshirt junior Hercules Mata'afa, who wreaked havoc as an undersized defensive tackle this season, declared Sunday night that he will enter the NFL Draft.Mata'afa (6-2, 252) projects more as a defensive end/outside linebacker/edge rusher in the pros after a season in which he posted 22.5 tackles for loss, including 10.5 sacks.
NFLDraftScout.com projects Mata'afa as a second-round talent and the second-best junior at outside linebacker. His offseason workouts will help identify where he fits best in the NFL, perhaps as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Mata'afa ended his Cougars career with 47 tackles for loss, including 22.5 sacks.
Here is a list of underclassmen who have announced their intention to enter the 2018 draft. The deadline to declare is Jan. 15.
QUARTERBACKS
Josh Allen, Wyoming
Tanner Lee, Nebraska
RUNNING BACKS
Saquon Barkley, Penn State
John Kelly, Tennessee
Mark Walton, Miami
WIDE RECEIVERS
Antonio Callaway, Florida
Simmie Cobbs, Indiana
Keke Coutee, Texas Tech
Quadree Henderson, Pittsburgh
Richie James, Middle Tennessee
D.J. Moore, Maryland
Trey Quinn, SMU
Courtland Sutton, SMU
TIGHT ENDS
Hayden Hurst, South Carolina
OFFENSIVE GUARDS
Taylor Hearn, Clemson
Maea Teuhema, Southeastern Louisiana
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh
Connor Williams, Texas
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, Toledo
Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
Hercules Mata'afa, Washington State
Breeland Speaks, Ole Miss
Josh Sweat, Florida State
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Taven Bryan, Florida
Vita Vea, Washington
LINEBACKERS
Frank Ginda, San Jose State
Malik Jefferson, Texas
Andre Smith, North Carolina
Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
CORNERBACKS
Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Holton Hill, Texas
JC Jackson, Maryland
Nick Nelson, Wisconsin
Isaiah Oliver, Colorado
Denzel Ward, Ohio State
SAFETIES
DeShon Elliott, Texas
Derwin James, Florida State
Jordan Whitehead, Pittsburgh
SPECIALISTS
Michael Dickson (P), Texas
Eddy Pineiro (PK), Florida
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