Jerrion Ealy

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #341 prospect in 2021 draft
  Arguably the best athlete in the 2019 draft class, Ealy was a five-star running back with a baseball and football commitment to Mississippi. The No. 62 prospect in the class, Ealy struggled with the bat during the spring of his senior season against below-average Mississippi pitching, but he has exceptional tools in his plus raw power, plus speed, plus arm strength and explosive athleticism. Ealy earned second team All-SEC and Freshman All-SEC honors for his work on the gridiron, and he rushed for 722 yards on 104 attempts (6.9 yards per attempt) while scoring six touchdowns, and added 172 yards and another touchdown through the air. Given the shortened 2020 baseball season, Ealy has certainly been more impactful for the Rebels’ football program. He started six games in center field for the baseball team, hitting just .182/.321/.273 with nine strikeouts and four walks in 28 plate appearances. There are real questions about the quality of Ealy’s hit tool despite his impressive bat speed. He’s struggled with timing and pitch recognition in the past, but the fact that he’s been a high-level football player for his entire life means scouts will give him the benefit of the doubt and expect gains in those areas if he ever exclusively focuses on baseball. The draft being pushed back made Ealy eligible in 2021—he turns 21 eight days before the Aug. 27 cutoff—but he underwent shoulder surgery on Jan. 7 and missed the season. He is unlikely to be a factor for teams this year considering his track record, health and ability on the football field despite his obvious tool set on the diamond.
• Ranked #62 prospect in 2019 draft
  One of the top athletes in the 2019 draft class, Ealy is also an elite, five-star running back who is committed to Mississippi for both baseball and football. 247Sports rates him as one of the country's top-30 football recruits, which should surprise no one who has seen him on either playing surface. When it comes to baseball, Ealy is overflowing with plus tools. He packs plenty of strength into his well-built, 5-foot-10, 192-pound frame, and he has plus raw power thanks to his strength and above-average bat speed. Unsurprisingly, Ealy is also one of the fastest players in the class. In addition to his speed and raw power, Ealy is a gifted defender thanks to his closing speed, athleticism and easy plus arm strength. He could play all three outfield positions and is one of the better, natural defenders in the class. For all of Ealy's tools and athleticism, however, the industry has soured on him this spring as he's struggled offensively against below-average Mississippi competition. While Ealy does have impressive hand-eye coordination and solid pure bat-to-ball skills, he has long needed refinement in his plate discipline, approach and mechanical setup at the plate--which is mostly to be expected from a two-sport athlete at his level. However, scouts thought he would hit much better this spring and have been disappointed with the lack of progress he has shown in the batter's box. Given Ealy's upside on the gridiron and underwhelming performance this spring, he figures to be a tough sign out of Mississippi. He no longer projects as a first-round talent--like he did last summer--but still has tremendous upside if he ever focuses exclusively on baseball.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  One of the top athletes in the 2019 draft class, Ealy is also an elite, five-star running back who is committed to Mississippi for both baseball and football. 247Sports rates him as one of the country's top-30 football recruits, which should surprise no one who has seen him on either playing surface. When it comes to baseball, Ealy is overflowing with plus tools. He packs plenty of strength into his well-built, 5-foot-10, 192-pound frame, and he has plus raw power thanks to his strength and above-average bat speed. Unsurprisingly, Ealy is also one of the fastest players in the class. In addition to his speed and raw power, Ealy is a gifted defender thanks to his closing speed, athleticism and easy plus arm strength. He could play all three outfield positions and is one of the better, natural defenders in the class. For all of Ealy's tools and athleticism, however, the industry has soured on him this spring as he's struggled offensively against below-average Mississippi competition. While Ealy does have impressive hand-eye coordination and solid pure bat-to-ball skills, he has long needed refinement in his plate discipline, approach and mechanical setup at the plate--which is mostly to be expected from a two-sport athlete at his level. However, scouts thought he would hit much better this spring and have been disappointed with the lack of progress he has shown in the batter's box. Given Ealy's upside on the gridiron and underwhelming performance this spring, he figures to be a tough sign out of Mississippi. He no longer projects as a first-round talent--like he did last summer--but still has tremendous upside if he ever focuses exclusively on baseball.