Washington OL Jaxson Kirkland withdraws from 2022 NFL Draft

There was some unfortunate news surrounding this year’s draft Monday. According to a report from Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, University of Washington offensive linemen Jaxson Kirkland is having surgery and withdrawing his name from the draft.

Kirkland, one of the higher-ranked offensive tackles in this year’s class, suffered an ankle injury early in the season. It slowed him down through October and November, but certainly didn’t derail the campaign entirely. The senior was one of three Huskies to earn First Team All-Pac 12 honors in 2021. With a 74.9 grade this season, PFF has him ranked as their 75th overall prospect, within the second tier of tackles beyond the sure-fire top-15 picks at the position.

Standing in at six-foot-seven and 310 pounds, Kirkland certainly has the size to handle playing on the outside on the NFL level. With mobility still a concern as a result of the injured ankle, though, he is petitioning the NCAA to be able to return to college next season and enter the 2023 draft. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the surgery will take place Tuesday and that Kirkland is expected to make a full recovery.