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2020 NFL Draft loaded with former Washington state high school football stars

A number of former Washington state high school football stars will hope to hear their names called during the NFL Draft.

The draft was originally set to be held in Las Vegas, but will be held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The first round will be held Thursday, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday and ending with rounds four through seven on Saturday.

The pandemic has severely impacted the normal pre-draft process. Pro days were cancelled and teams have been unable to bring prospects in for workouts and physicals. However, the NFL Combine was held in late February in Indianapolis and gave teams some baseline understanding of many prospects.

Each year, more than 300 of the best college football players, who are eligible for the NFL Draft, are invited to participate in the combine.

A combine invite doesn’t guarantee a prospect gets drafted, but it is a strong indicator of who the NFL projects has the best chance at being taken.

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Here’s a breakdown of all the former Washington state high school stars who were invited to Indianapolis and who might have the best chance at hearing their name called later this week.

UW Offensive Tackle Trey Adams

Adams went to the University of Washington in 2015 after starring at Wenatchee High School where he was named first-team 4A All State by the Associated Press.

During his Huskies’ career, the 6 foot, 8 inch offensive tackle was named All-Pac-12 First Team twice despite battling back and knee injuries.

UW Running Back Salvon Ahmed

Ahmed went to the University of Washington in 2017 after starring at Juanita High School in Kirkland where he was named All-KincCo 3A at running back and cornerback and was named KingCo 3A offensive MVP as a senior.

In his three years with the Huskies, Ahmed ran for 2,016 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was named All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention following his junior year and declared for the draft in January, forgoing his final year of eligibility.

UW Tight End Hunter Bryant

Bryant went to the University of Washington in 2017 after starring at Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish. As a junior, he helped lead the Crusaders to a 13-0 record and a 3A state championship.

Bryant was named 2019 All-Pac 12 First Team and finished his UW career with 85 catches for 1,394 yards in 26 games. Bryant declared for the NFL Draft in December, forgoing his final year of eligibility.

UW Quarterback Jacob Eason

Eason transferred to the University of Washington after spending two years at the University of Georgia. He was one of the highest ranked recruits in the country in 2015 after starring at Lake Stevens High School.

At Georgia, Eason started 12 games as a true freshman. Eason began the 2017 season as Georgia’s starting quarterback, but was injured and lost his job to Jake Fromm. Eason transferred to UW and sat out the 2018 season before starting all 13 games for the Huskies in 2019. He declared for the NFL Draft in December, forgoing his fifth year of eligibility.

Boise State Offensive Lineman Ezra Cleveland

Cleveland went to Boise State University in 2016 after playing at Bethel High School in Spanaway. He was named Bethel’s defensive player of the year and was named to the First-Team All-State by the Associated Press.

Cleveland redshirted his freshman year at Boise State, and played in 40 games over the last three seasons. He was a two-time First Team All-Mountain West selection and declared for the NFL Draft in December, forgoing his fifth year of eligibility.

Oregon Offensive Lineman Shane Lemieux

One of just three players from Washington on the Ducks’ roster last season, Lemieux went to Oregon in 2015 from West Valley High School in Yakima. Coming out of West Valley, he was named a top 10 player in Washington.

Lemieux redshirted in 2015 and played in 52 games for the Ducks over the past four seasons.

Oregon State Quarterback Jake Luton

Luton took the long route to Oregon State University. The former Marysville-Pilchuck High School star originally signed with the University of Idaho out of high school. Luton then went to Ventura Community College in California, where he was named a Junior College All-American before signing with the Beavers.

Luton was granted a sixth year of eligibility in 2019 and finished with 2,714 yards, 28 touchdowns and three interceptions.

California Linebacker Evan Weaver

Weaver went to the University of California, Berkeley in 2016 after playing at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane. At Gonzaga Prep, Weaver was a three-year starter and had a combined 31-5 record.

At Cal, Weaver played in 49 of 50 possible games with 31 starts and finished ranked fourth on the school’s all-time tackles list. Weaver was a consensus First-Team All American in 2019.

Utah State Linebacker David Woodward

Woodward went to Utah State University in 2016 after starring at Olympia High School, where he was named the Male Athlete of the Year by The Olympian as a senior.

Woodward was named First-Team All Mountain West despite playing in only seven games in 2019. He declared for the NFL Draft in December, forgoing his final year of eligibility.