Jacksonville Jaguars select Deantre Prince in fifth round of 2024 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars have selected Ole Miss cornerback Deantre Prince in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, taking him with the No. 153 overall selection.

Deantre Prince played four seasons at Ole Miss over the course of his time with the program. He also played one year at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Over the course of his college career, Deantre Prince played in 51 games for Ole Miss. During that time, he had 146 total tackles, including six tackles for a loss and a sack. He also had six interceptions and 21 passes defended.

Deantre Prince played high school football at Charleston (Mississippi), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 392 overall recruit in the 2019 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Prior to the NFL Draft Deantre Prince participated in both the NFL Combine and the East-West Shrine Bowl. While at the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and posted a 34.5-inch vertical jump.

In this past season, Deantre Prince helped lead the Ole Miss team to an 11-2 record on the season and a New Year’s Six Bowl win over Penn State in the Peach Bowl.

The Ole Miss defense finished the season 40th in scoring defense, giving up 22.5 points per game. However, the team’s ability to stop opponents’ passing games was inconsistent, and Ole Miss finished 75th in passing defense, giving up 229.5 passing yards per game. Ole Miss was also 26th in interceptions forced, with 13 for the season.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Deantre Prince

Ahead of the NFL Draft, analyst Lance Zierlein shared his thoughts on Deantre Prince and what he brings to the table as a prospect.

“Starter for the better part of three years while at Ole Miss. Prince plays with an upright posture and lacks desired hip fluidity in his transitions. He could become a more effective press corner but needs to play with greater physicality and effort. He allows receivers ample workspace as route runners due to the amount of deep zone coverage Ole Miss runs but might have the athletic ability to squeeze routes tighter if asked to play more man,” Zierlein said.

“He has average instincts and an average nose for the football. His size and willingness in run support help and could make him a Day 3 selection with a chance to become a CB4/5.”