:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54414731/Nova_Mug.0.jpeg)
Happy Monday Nova Nation! We're off to a slow start this week, but that doesn't mean there isn't news out there! In fact, it's a pretty big week for Villanova's star defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon as he prepares for the NFL draft. The evaluating is done, and now it's just a waiting game to see where the big man with freakish physical talent ends up.
While there's been much speculation as to how high he could be selected given his raw upside, the first round is probably a pipe-dream at this point. It's just rare that a FCS defensive player would go that high. However, he is being projected as high as the second round, which means he could be taken sometime on Friday night.
The last Villanova player taken that high, and the last Villanova player drafted at all, was in 2011 when Benjamin Ijalana was selected in the 2nd round (49th overall) by the Colts. The last Nova player drafted by the home town Eagles, who Kpassagnon has seen some interest from, was in 2002 when they selected Brian Westbrook in the 3rd Round (91st overall). The last defensive player taken was Hall of Famer Howie Long in 1981, who was selected in the 2nd round (48th overall) by the Raiders. The highest a Wildcat has ever been taken in the NFL draft was in 1950 when Ralph Pasquariello was taken 9th overall in the first round by the Rams.
In other news, Villanova's Brette Lawrence pitched a perfect game this weekend, Kentucky's freshman Hamidou Diallo might go straight to the NBA, and LaVar Ball now has beef with Villanova great George Raveling. Enjoy!
An NFL prospect, Villanova's Tanoh Kpassagnon has brawn with brains to match | CSN Philly
Tanoh Kpassagnon is a physical specimen with the brains to match, and Thursday, he'll likely hear his name called in the NFL draft. By Danny Pommells
Ranking the NFL draft prospects: Defensive linemen | Journal Sentinel
The Journal Sentinel’s Bob McGinn assesses the top defensive linemen in the NFL draft this week. Kpassagnon comes in at #7 with a comparison to Julius Peppers.
Brette Lawrence Pitches Perfect Game In 8-0 Win Over St. John's | Villanova.com
Behind a perfect game from senior Brette Lawrence (Sparks, Nev./Spanish Springs) the Villanova softball team (29-15, 9-6 BIG EAST) defeated St. John's (24-15, 11-4) in six innings on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 8-0 in the series finale. With the win, Villanova took the series 2-1.
Kentucky’s Hamidou Diallo declares for NBA Draft without ever playing in college | CBSSports.com
The former five-star recruit has not yet hired an agent.
LaVar Ball Responds To Nike Executive, Declares His Brand Will Soon Be Its Competition | Forbes
LaVar Ball has kept his name in the news during the college basketball season and it appears that will continue into the offseason in advance of the NBA Draft. While his son Lonzo is expected to go in the Top-2, LaVar has set his sights on his Big Baller Brand making waves in the apparel industry.