Jedrick Wills left Kentucky to become a superstar tackle. ‘They did their job.’
Jedrick Wills’ recruitment out of Lafayette High School went down to the wire despite his committing to the University of Alabama months before National Signing Day. Kentucky, whose campus sits about a mile from Lafayette and over whom Wills chose the Crimson Tide, turned up the heat.
Wills ultimately remained firm in his commitment, one rooted in the belief that he would follow in a long line of ‘Bama linemen who had their names called at the NFL Draft. That belief will become reality in two months, when Wills is expected to be one of — if not the first — offensive lineman drafted in the first round.
“I felt like they were going to develop me into one of the best offensive linemen I can be,” Wills told reporters during the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. “At the end of the day, they did their job.”
Wills held up his end of the bargain, too. He played right away as a true freshman in 2017 and started the final 28 games of his career over the course of his sophomore and junior seasons. The 6-foot-4, 312-pound offensive tackle last season was named a Second Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, The Sporting News and Walter Camp.
He was one of the highest-rated recruits to originate from Kentucky. Wills left the commonwealth to play for Nick Saban’s behemoth in Tuscaloosa, but he values where he came from and likes that it catches people off guard when he reveals his hometown.
“A lot of people, when they see me are like, ‘You’re from Lexington, Kentucky? I didn’t even know they had football players like that,’” Wills said. “ … It’s definitely something we put pride into, being from Kentucky and putting on for the state.”
Kentucky offensive tackle Landon Young, a high school teammate, signed with the Wildcats one year before Wills signed with Alabama. The two have stayed in touch.
“He gave me some congrats when he saw that I declared for the draft and a little throughout the season,” Wills said. “One week he won SEC Lineman of the Week and I shot him a text like, ‘Yo, that’s major.’”
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Tuesday described Wills as “a funny, funny guy” but a hard worker who’s passionate about being an offensive lineman.
“He’s sort of the alpha male for our guys on the line,” Tagovailoa said. “When something needs to happen, you can count on Jed to make it happen for you.”
Wills agreed with that assessment.
“I try to have both personalities,” Wills said. “When it’s time to joke around I try to bring some light to the room but other than that I try to be an alpha male and do what I do.”
Louisville lineman
Mekhi Becton, a 6-7, 364-pound offensive tackle out of Louisville, also is expected to be off the board before the first round ends in April. He believes he’s the most dominant tackle available in this year’s draft.
Why?
“The tape shows it,” Becton said. “The tape shows that I finish almost every play. Simple as that. ... I didn’t put this work in for nothing.”
Becton credited Dwayne Ledford, U of L’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, for developing him into a first-round prospect. Before learning from Ledford, who came aboard along with Scott Satterfield in December 2018, he didn’t feel like he had the ferocity needed to compete in the pro ranks.
The transition from Bobby Petrino’s staff to Satterfield could not have gone smoother, according to Becton. They created a more positive atmosphere immediately, and Becton continues to stay in touch with the coaches at Louisville.
“I still look at ’em as family,” Becton said.
2020 NFL Draft
When: April 23-25
Where: Las Vegas
