Philadelphia Eagles Draft Central

Expectations for Sanders were sky-high when he signed with his home-state Nittany Lions. He was a top-25 overall prospect nationally after winning Pennsylvania's Mr. Football award in 2015 and running for over 4,500 yards during his career at Woodland Hills High School in Pittsburgh. The presence of All-American Saquon Barkley on the squad stunted Sanders' growth, though he did manage to get on the field in 13 games as a true freshman in 2016, primarily on special teams (33 returns, 688 yards, 20.8 average on kick returns; 25 carries, 184 yards, 7.4 average, one touchdown rushing; 2 catches, 14 yards, 12.0 average, one touchdown receiving). He played in 12 games with one start in 2017, receiving a few more touches (31 carries, 191 yards, 6.2 average, two touchdowns rushing; 6 catches, 30 yards, 5.0 average, receiving; 5 returns, 76 yards, 15.2 average on kick returns). With Barkley off to the NFL in 2018, Sanders took full advantage by running for 1,274 yards and nine scores on 220 carries (5.8 average). The second-team All-Big Ten selection, team's Most Valuable Offensive Player, and 13-game starter also caught 24 passes for 139 yards (5.8 average).

Jose Joaquin Arcega-Whiteside was born in Spain to two professional basketball players. He starred at Dorman High School in South Carolina, making the 2015 Parade High School All-American squad and winning the state's Gatorade Player of the Year award (108-1,824-16.9, 20 TD receiving as a senior). Not surprisingly given his athletic genes, he was also all-state in basketball and finished in fourth place in the 100 meters at the 2014 state track meet. Arcega-Whiteside redshirted in 2015, then played in 12 games as a reserve the following fall but led the team with five receiving touchdowns (24-379-15.8). He garnered honorable mention All-Pac-12 notice as a sophomore, pacing the Cardinal in all three major receiving categories (48-781-16.3, nine TD). He had a strong bowl game against TCU in the Alamo Bowl, scoring three times on five catches totaling 61 yards. Arcega-Whiteside was a team captain in 2018 and garnered second-team All-Pac-12 honors by starting 12 games and catching 63 passes for 1,059 yards (16.8 average) and 14 touchdowns, which ranked in the top five nationally.

Miller's brother (and role model) was shot and killed in May 2015 during an argument in West Philadelphia. It was a difficult time for Miller but he enrolled at Penn State and redshirted the 2015 season. The two-time first-team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania pick played in 14 games in 2016, regularly flashing potential (22 tackles, 5.5 for loss, two sacks). Miller was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2017, playing in all 13 games with 12 starts and racking up 37 tackles, 11 for loss, and five sacks. He honored an injured teammate by wearing the No. 19 jersey in two September matchups. Miller was a third-team all-conference pick as a junior, as well as a co-winner of the Nittany Lions' Most Valuable Defensive Player award. He started 12 games, recording 41 tackles, 15 for loss, and 7.5 sacks on the year.

Thorson attended the same high school as former Iowa standout quarterback Chuck Long (Wheaton North) but decided to take his four-star recruiting status to Evanston instead. He started all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2016, leading the Wildcats to 10 wins on the year despite mediocre statistics (150-295-50.8, 1,522 yards, seven TD, nine INT). His production was much better in 2016, and he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten notice by completing 58.6 percent of his passes (280-478) for 3,182 yards and a school-record 22 touchdown passes (against nine INT). Thorson was a third-team all-conference selection in 2017 (262-434-60.4, 2,844 yards, 15 TD, 12 INT), again leading his team to a bowl game but suffering a torn right ACL in that Music City Bowl. He returned to play in all 14 games (13 starts) in his senior campaign, receiving honorable mention All-Big Ten notice by completing 61.1 percent of his throws (299-489) for 3,183 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also finished with the second-most interceptions among FBS quarterbacks (15). Thorson's father, Chad, played football at Wheaton College and for a short time with the New York Giants.