Mel Kiper on Ricky Jeune’s draft prospects

November 25, 2017 Atlanta - Georgia Tech wide receiver Ricky Jeune (2) eludes a tackle by Georgia safety Dominick Sanders (24) in the first half of an NCAA college football game at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday, November 25, 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

November 25, 2017 Atlanta - Georgia Tech wide receiver Ricky Jeune (2) eludes a tackle by Georgia safety Dominick Sanders (24) in the first half of an NCAA college football game at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday, November 25, 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Former Georgia Tech wide receiver Ricky Jeune is a legitimate draft prospect, according to draft expert Mel Kiper.

Speaking Wednesday, the ESPN analyst projected Jeune as a third-day draft prospect, which would mean selection between the fourth and seventh rounds.

“I think Ricky Jeune is the most interesting one – the wide receiver,” Kiper said. “Because they’ve had a history of producing some receivers. Obviously, you know who the big names were. I think he is a guy that fights for the ball, he makes plays after the catch, he’ll block very effectively. I think Ricky Jeune is that under-the-radar wide receiver somebody’s going to get, probably day 3. I think he could have a nice career in the NFL.”

Jeune led the Yellow Jackets in receptions for the past three seasons, catching a total of 74 passes for 1,492 yards (a 20.2 yards-per-catch average) and 11 touchdowns. He showed a particular ability to win balls in the air and block downfield. He also earned a reputation for his effort and diligence on the practice field.

If selected, he would join a series of Tech wide receivers who played for coach Paul Johnson and played in the NFL, including Demaryius Thomas, Stephen Hill, Kevin Cone, DeAndre Smelter and Darren Waller.

Probably the other former Tech most likely to be drafted is guard Shamire Devine.

Other possible candidates include defensive ends KeShun Freeman and Antonio Simmons, safety Corey Griffin, A-back J.J. Green, cornerbacks Lance and Lawrence Austin and Step Durham and linebacker Terrell Lewis.