OU's Jeremy Beal Projected in First Round of Mock Draft

Todd McShay revealed his first mock draft Thursday, and Beal is the only Oklahoma player projected in the first round.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:01 pm

By: News On 6

OU's Jeremy Beal Projected in First Round of Mock Draft

Originally Published: Nov 11, 2010 10:56 AM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

BRISTOL, Connecticut – ESPN.com’s Todd McShay unveiled his first 2011 NFL Mock Draft Thursday, and Oklahoma’s Jeremy Beal is projected to be selected with the No. 20 overall pick.

McShay’s mock draft is based on current NFL standings, which would have Beal being picked by the Kansas City Chiefs. While Beal currently plays defensive end for the Sooners, he is expected to switch to a pass-rushing outside linebacker at the next level.

One year after OU produced three of the top four picks in the NFL Draft, Beal is the only player from Oklahoma or Oklahoma State projected in the first round.

It is also a down year for the Big 12 in general, with only four players from the conference – Beal, Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara, Texas A&M’s Von Miller and Texas’ Aaron Williams – projected in the opening round.

McShay has Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills. If that happens, Luck will become the eighth quarterback since 2001 to be selected with the top pick and the third in a row, joining Matt Stafford and former Sooner Sam Bradford.