Rich Bedesem will have a very personal interest in this weekend’s NFL Draft. The former Wekiva football coach could see, for the first time in Central Florida history, three players drafted from the same high school graduating class if Tyler Davis, Renardo Green and Norell Pollard are taken Friday or Saturday.

Davis (Clemson) and Green (FSU) are expected to be selected between rounds 2-5, while Pollard (Virginia Tech) is expected to hear his name sometime on Day 3, between rounds 4-7. Should those three be selected, they will join Brandon Hill, a seventh-round selection of the Houston Texans last year, giving the 2019 senior class at Wekiva High four players drafted into the NFL.

“We knew they obviously had talent. All four grew up and played at Wekiva, didn’t transfer,” said Bedesem, who is now defensive coordinator at Dothan (Ga.) High. “They’re all hard workers and all had the grades they needed to because they got into the colleges, and then obviously worked hard in college and perfected their craft.

“It’s special. That’s why we’re in this as coaches, to give kids the opportunity to go on and get a free education, and then, obviously, it’s very rare to go on to that next level, but to have these four out of that one class … it’s pretty amazing.”

Jones High also could have three players drafted Friday or Saturday, with Daquan Evans (USF), Je’Quan Burton (FAU) and PJ Jules (Southern Illinois) the likely candidates. Jones could see as many as six players end up on NFL training camp rosters from this year’s draft class, with other possibilities being Evan Anderson (FAU), Jaylen Joyner (Memphis) and Devin Hayes (Jackson State).

Altogether, 19 from Central Florida are hoping to be drafted, and all will most assuredly sign free-agent contracts should they go undrafted.

The most lauded of Orlando-area draft hopefuls has been Davis, the No. 1-ranked player in the Sentinel’s 2019 Central Florida Super 60. Davis became Clemon’s first defensive player to be named all-ACC in all four of his seasons.

The knock on Davis is his size. At 6-foot-2, 301 pounds, he lacks the usual height considered necessary as an NFL defensive tackle, but he has always overcome. His upper body strength is tremendous and he tied for ninth overall at the NFL Combine with 29 bench-press reps at 225 pounds.

“It feels great. It’s just amazing. It’s kind of surreal … a dream come true,” Davis said Tuesday. “Not many people get this opportunity to play football at the highest level. It’s definitely a major deal.”

From the day he stepped on campus, Davis was a big deal at Clemson. He was all-ACC first team for his final three seasons. He played in the national title game his freshman year, losing to LSU.

“I really wanted to win a national championship, but I think I did very well,” Davis said. “I just wanted to do whatever it took to win a national championship and that was my goal in mind every time I stepped on the field, but I did accomplish a lot.”

Davis, Green, Pollard and Hill helped make up a Wekiva defense that allowed just six points per game in 2019 on a team that many considered the Class 8A favorite. Wekiva, however, lost in the state quarterfinals to Jacksonville Mandarin 19-7.

Green said he reflects on what could have been sometimes, but he has mostly tried to move forward. He had to do that again in December, when FSU was left out of the College Football Playoff.

“It’s hard. Life ain’t fair and things are going to happen, but it’s how you respond to it,” Green said. “You never know what the future is going to hold and it’s like this might have happened because you need to learn from this, or like God has a plan for something better with you that you don’t understand right now, but in the future you might be like, ‘Now I understand.'”

The prospect of playing in the NFL is certainly exciting for him, and he knew his time would come. He led the ACC in pass breakups this past season and his man-on-man coverage skills compare with some of the best in the nation.

“It’s different. I’m excited, but it’s something that I’ve always had faith in that it was going to work out,” Green said Wednesday. “So it means something, but it’s not like I’m in complete shock. I just get kind of anxious as the days get closer.”

Evans (5-11, 195) likely holds the position as Jones’ most attractive draft prospect. The safety is projected to be a late-round selection, but he’s not worried about that.

“I just want to get an opportunity to showcase my talent,” he said. “I’m blessed just to be in this position. … I’m really excited about it.”

Former Akron running back Lorenzo Lingard, played at Orange City University and was the No. 1-ranked player in the Sentinel’s 2018 Central Florida Super60. He signed with Miami, but transferred to Florida before finishing up with the Zips last season.

“From what my old agent and my new agent have been telling me, I’ll probably be a free agent,” he said. “All of that unfolds this week. I’m just anxious right now. I’m glad I never gave up. I know I still have that competitive spirit and that drive … and I know I can play at the NFL level.”

Former West Orange star Jaylon “JC” Carlies is another player who could see his name come up within the first five rounds, but some projections even have his signing as an undrafted free agent as well.

“It’s very exciting. It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of since I started playing,” Carlies said Thursday. “Being able to be on this platform and be on this stage is definitely a blessing. … I don’t think it’s really hit me yet.”

Central Florida 2024 NFL draft Class

Evan Anderson (Jones), DL, FAU

Will Barnes (Apopka), OL, North Carolina

Je’Quan Burton (Jones), WR, FAU

JC Carlies (West Orange), DB, Missouri

Tyler Davis (Wekiva), DL, Clemson

Daquan Evans (Jones), S, USF

Renardo Green (Wekiva), DB, FSU

Devin Hayes (Jones), OL, Jackson State

Alec Holler (Trinity Prep), TE, UCF

Kenneth Horsey (Seminole), OL, Kentucky

Jaylen Joyner(Jones), DL, Memphis

PJ Jules (Jones), S, Southern Illinois

Mario Kendricks (Osceola), DT, Virginia Tech

Matt Lee (Hagerty), OL, Miami

Lorenzo Lingard (Orange City), RB, Akron

Joe Milton (Olympia), QB, Tennessee

Ed Montilus (Apopka), OL, North Carolina

Norell Pollard (Wekiva), DT, Virginia Tech

Xavier Weaver (OCP), WR, Colorado

When the Broncos traded for Jets quarterback Zach Wilson earlier this week, head coach Sean Payton said the move wasn’t meant to be a smoke screen ahead of Thursday night’s NFL draft.

Payton made it clear that the team was looking to add a veteran quarterback. And for weeks, he said general manager George Paton has been working with the Jets to get a deal done.

“There was no specific timing. It just took a little bit of time,” Payton said after Thursday’s first round. “I know when (traded for) him (was) closer to the draft, but it could’ve very well been three weeks ago.”

Denver loaded up its quarterback room this week, acquiring Wilson and drafting former Oregon star Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick.

Although all signs point toward Nix being the franchise signal caller, Payton expects all the quarterbacks, including Jarrett Stidham, to compete for a starting job.

Stidham has started four career games, including the final two of last season, throwing for 496 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Wilson made 33 starts for the Jets. Nix is one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the draft class, starting in 61 career games in five seasons on the college level.

“(Former Cowboys head coach) Bill (Parcells) taught me a long time ago to let them play,” Payton said. “We (have) to maximize the reps that we have, let them develop and that stuff will sort itself out.”

Wilson’s production hasn’t matched his expectations coming out of BYU as the second overall draft pick in 2021. He threw for 6,923 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in three seasons in New York.

After two underwhelming seasons, the Jets decided to trade for 2-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. However, Wilson saw himself back in the starting lineup after Rodgers tore his Achilles in the season-opener against the Buffalo Bills.

Wilson still struggled under center, throwing for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. His NFL journey thus far has been shaky, but the Broncos value his traits.

“There were a number of veteran quarterbacks that signed contracts and yet, we saw talent with a player who just three years ago, was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft,” Payton said. “…I think the first step for all these guys (is to figure out) what they do well.”

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The Broncos have their quarterback.

They didn’t have to pay anything extra to get Oregon’s Bo Nix, either, though they also weren’t willing to risk losing him by trading back even a few spots from No. 12.

“We just didn’t want to overthink it,” general manager George Paton said. “This is our guy. Let’s just take our guy. We did think about (moving back). Not too far. We could have moved a couple of spots back, maybe got some picks, but this was our guy. Let’s just take him and not overthink it.

“We would have been sick if we’d lost him just for a couple of fifth-round picks.”

So instead Denver heads into Day 2 with just one pick to its name: No. 76 in the third round. If they stay there, 45 players will come off the board before they make their next pick.

Here are some of the best players available after Thursday’s first round. Though many of them will come off the board beginning with Buffalo at No. 33, but these are the players that could convince Denver to try to move up or could fall to the 70s.

RB Jonathan Brooks, Texas: Would probably be the unanimous top back in the class if not for a torn ACL in November and still could be the first back off the board. Brooks waited behind Bijan Robinson at UT and was having a great year (1,139 yards on 6.1 per) before the injury.

RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee: A walking explosive play. Averaged 7.4 yards per carry for the Vols in 2023. He ran 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at 5-11 and 210 pounds, posted a 38-inch vertical and an 11-2 broad jump.

RB Marshawn Lloyd, USC: A guy who could be around when Denver’s second turn comes up. Lloyd is smooth catching the ball and has big-time ability in the open field. Ran 4.46 in the 40 at 220 pounds and averaged 7.1 per carry for the Trojans.

WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas: Rangy wideout at 6-2 and 205 who had 845 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds and can stress defenses in multiple ways.

WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia: Always open and has the versatility to play in the slot or outside. Ran 4.39 in the 40 at 6-foot and 186 pounds. Played in nine games in 2023 due to injury after 58 catches for 762 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022.

WR Keon Coleman, Florida State: Had 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023 after transferring from Michigan State. Big-time athlete played hoops for the Spartans, too. Ran a modest 4.61 in the 40 but is imposing at 6-3 and 213 pounds.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas: In the mix to be the second tight end off the board after Brock Bowers, who went No. 13. Sanders is a receiving threat who averaged 15.2 yards per catch as a junior. Doesn’t run particularly fast — 4.69-second 40-yard dash at the combine — but is dangerous in the receiving game at 6-4 and 250.

TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State: A big senior year with 676 yards and six TDs. Similar size (6-4, 250) and timed speed to Sanders (4.68 at combine). Compiled 1,123 receiving yards and 10 TDs over two years starting

OL Roger Rosengarten, Washington: Highlands Ranch native who starred at Valor Christian and started the past two years at right tackle for the Huskies. Versatile player who can man three or four spots on the offensive line.

OL Kingsley Suamataia, BYU: Massive guy at 6-5 and 326 pounds who was a five-star player out of high school and turned pro after three college seasons. Started at right tackle in 2022 and left tackle last fall.

OL Dominic Puni, Kansas: First-team All-Big 12 selection who didn’t allow a sack in 342 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle in 2023 after playing left guard in 2022. Another guy who can play several positions up front.

OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon: The Broncos already have one of Nix’s former centers on the roster in Alex Forsyth. The other is Powers-Johnson, a tank of an interior offensive lineman who is likely to make a team very happy on Day 2.

Edge Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan: Big-time motor and relatively young at the position after playing TE in high school. Kneeland is 6-3 and 267 pounds.

Edge Chris Braswell, Alabama: Had 10.5 TFLs and 8.5 sacks for the Crimson Tide in 2023. Good athlete (ran 4.6 in the 40) who also had a pick-six and a blocked kick last fall.

Edge Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State: Played just up the road in Fort Collins and all he did was produce. Kamara had 13 sacks in 2023 and 29.5 for his career and likely played his way into the draft’s second day.

DL Johnny Newton, Illinois: A surprise fall out of the first round for Newton, who had offseason foot surgery. When healthy, he’s a menace inside. He should hear his name called quickly on Friday.

DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan: Never had huge production (eight TFLs, four sacks in 44 career games) but he’s an asset against the run. At 6-3 and 299, Jenkins has length and strength and ran 4.91 in the 40 at the combine.

DL Michael Hall, Ohio State: Hall is cut from the Dre’Mont Jones cloth and a Broncos option in the same range of the draft as Jones (third round). He’s 6-3 and 290 and has a big wingspan at better than 81 inches.

DL Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson: Orhorhoro is 6-4 and 294 and brings size and athleticism to the table. The Nigerian native has eight TFLs each of the past three seasons and 11.5 sacks over that span.

LB Junior Colson, Michigan: At 6-2 and 240 is more than big enough to patrol the middle of the field. Led the Wolverines in tackles the past two years while playing for a team that went 28-1 and won a national title.

CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa: A surprising fall out of the first round for DeJean, who broke his leg during his senior season but impressed at a workout earlier this month. He won’t last long Friday. Same likely goes for Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry and Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw.

CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State: At 6-1 and 190, Tampa was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2023. Started for the Cyclones for two years and had eight TFLs in addition to the coverage work.

CB Andru Phillips, Kentucky: Not the biggest, but a feisty, tough player who stood out at the Senior Bowl. Denver may want more size at the position, but Phillips produced at 5-11. Ran 4.48 in the 40.

CB Max Melton, Rutgers: A 40-game collegiate starter who finished his career with 114 tackles, 22 passes defended and eight interceptions. Can play outside or in the slot.

S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota: A 55-game college career and school-record 13 interceptions who could have gone in the first round. He was named a first-team All-American in 2023 after he accounted for 53 tackles and five interceptions.

S Jaden Hicks, Washington State: Can do everything and is imposing at 6-2 and 215. He filled up the stat sheet in 2023, his third and final season, logging 79 tackles (six for loss), 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pair of picks while also blocking a kick.

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The Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-105 in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday night, April 25, 2024. Denver leads the series 3-0.