ESPN’s Draft Academy moves to ESPN+ this year to give an in depth look at six prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft Class.
Draft Academy will be an eight-episode series detailing the path of potential first round picks Ohio State DE Joey Bosa, Missouri QB Drew Lock, Alabama RB Josh Jacobs and Oklahoma WR Marquise Brown as well as Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham and Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson.
The first seven episodes will be available each Thursday and will highlight the lead-up to the NFL Draft on April 25, while the final episode will drop May 2 to recap the draft weekend experiences. Episode one debuted Thursday.
“Draft Academy has proven to be about so much more than physical preparation, it’s about overcoming obstacles, fighting to beat the odds and family bonds,” said Libby Geist, Vice President & Executive Producer, ESPN Films and Original Content. “I never imagined how loudly I’d be rooting for Shaquem Griffin before last year’s Draft Academy, and this season is sure to bring that same passion and emotion.”
The 2018 edition of Draft Academy was the inaugural season of the series, which aired on linear ESPN networks. USC QB Sam Darnold, Wyoming QB Josh Allen, Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Central Florida LB Shaquem Griffin, Notre Dame WR Equanimeous St. Brown and Houston QB Kyle Allen were featured. The entire series is available on ESPN+
While Shaquem Griffin’s story is unrivaled, the 2019 prospects have interesting stories of their own to detail.
Joey Bosa is a lock to be taken at the top of the 2019 Draft despite a groin injury early in the 2018 season that resulted in him leaving the Buckeyes program early to focus on the NFL. Bosa is also fighting the shadow of his brother Nick who has quickly become one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Josh Jacobs was a relative unknown heading into the 2018 season for the Crimson Tide. Despite largely unrecruited and finding himself homeless, Jacobs landed at Alabama. Jacobs outshined Damien and Najee Harris in the 2018 Bama backfield to solidify himself as the top running back in the 2019 class.
Marquise Brown is the cousin of now Oakland Raider WR Antonio Brown and goes by the nickname “Hollywood” Brown. His flashy style is hard to miss, and he shows glimpses of his All Pro cousin in his game.
SEC alums Lock and Stidham both began the 2018 season as the top QB prospects, but have since been overlooked by Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins. Both are looking to prove they are worth a Day 1 selection.
Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson is the late round focus in this year’s series. Standing 6’7” and sporting a canon right arm, Jackson is fighting to hear his name called on Day 2 of the Draft.