RICHMOND, Ky. – Three Colonels were named on DraftCountdown.com's 2024 NFL Draft Big Board on Thursday afternoon.
 
Offensive lineman Josiah Ezirim, quarterback Parker McKinney, and defensive back Franky West Jr. earned selections within their respective position groups ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft set to begin April 25.
 
Ezirm was selected as the No. 19 offensive tackle out of the draft class by the publication while being the highest ranked FCS prospect in the group.
 
The Hillard, Ohio native was a force in the trenches for EKU last season, starting every game for the Colonels contributing to the team's achievement of having the top offense in the conference with 437.4 yards per game. They totaled 4,811 yards on the season, scoring 37 touchdowns and averaging 29.5 points per game.
 
The offensive lineman will next head to the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis on March 3.
 
This invitation follows a stellar 2023 season during which Ezirim earned multiple accolades, including being named to the AP FCS, AFCA, Stats Perform, FCS Football Central, and Phil Steele All-American Teams.
 
McKinney was rated the 50^th best quarterback in the class after a historic career with the Colonels.
 
The Walter Peyton Award finalist's on-field performance was stellar in 2023, earning him a spot on the First Team All-UAC. He threw for 3,033 yards and 20 touchdowns with 265 completions on 419 attempts.
 
His on-field production added to McKinney's pre-existing career records for Colonel passers as he leaves Richmond with 12,751 passing yards—the 11th most in FCS history—and 94 passing touchdowns.
 
Franky West Jr., landed at No. 77 of the 120 corner backs named on the publication's big board.
 
West Jr.'s selection comes after a stellar single season as a Colonel after transferring for his final season. The Bloomington, Illinois native recorded 38 total tackles and seven pass breakups on the season while also adding a fumble recovery against Central Arkansas.