The 2015 NFL Draft Stock of Kyshoen Jarrett

Oct 12, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies safety Kyshoen Jarrett (34) returns a punt during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

After the 2013 College Football Season, there were two Virginia Tech players who were considering entering the 2014 NFL Draft and leaving school a year early. Both of those players would go to the NFL Draft advisory board to receive their potential draft grade. However, both players made the decision to stay in school and not enter the 2014 NFL Draft. One of those two players was Luther Maddy.

The other player was Kyshoen Jarrett.

Kyshoen Jarrett has never been seen as a star on the Virginia Tech defense but that is largely due to how he is a reliable, consistent player that does his job very well. Kyshoen Jarrett is set to exit college after this season as a three-year starter which is qute impressive on a defense that has had as much success as the Hokies.

Kyshoen Jarrett has played the rover role for the Hokies and that is why many people see him as a strong safety at the next level. Jarrett had 83 tackles in 2012 and 71 tackles in 2013 which are solid numbers for a safety. Jarrett has been able to make his presence known in the backfield as he has had 5.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons.

One part of Kyshoen Jarrett’s game that really took off last season was his pass coverage abilities as Jarrett was previously more of just a high quality run defending safety. Kyshoen Jarrett picked up his first two interceptions of his career last season and showed some pass coverage skills which are important in the pass-oriented NFL.

Nov 30, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback David Watford (5) runs with the ball as Virginia Tech Hokies safety Kyshoen Jarrett (34) tackles in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Kyshoen Jarrett’s draft stock is also boosted by his above-average acceleration and very good speed which has made him a solid collegiate return man. This type of versatility can definitely help his stock rise though his punt return average went down from 13.9 yards per return in 2012 to 5.3 yards per return in 2013.

Kyshoen Jarrett’s 2013 stats suggest a down season though Jarrett actually played on 99 less defensive snaps in 2013 than he did in 2012. Jarrett’s numbers also project fairly well to the NFL as he would have been around the 90 tackle mark most likely over the course of a 16-game season instead of 13 games.

Kyshoen Jarrett’s 2015 NFL Draft stock has the potential to vary a lot this year but for now, he seems like a fifth to seventh round pick. Jarrett is seen as the ninth best senior strong safety by NFLDraftScout.com and projects to be a guy who can fight for a job in the NFL and possibly be a solid starter.

Kyshoen Jarrett has a lot of upside as a return man and just a solid all-around special teams player which will definitely get him a job in the NFL. His ability to get up into the box and be a solid run defender gives him the talent to be a potential starting strong safety in the NFL. Kyshoen Jarrett can definitely improve his 2015 NFL Draft stock with a strong senior season and it wouldn’t surprise me if he did exactly that.

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