Trailer: https://bit.ly/2VjLxAz
- Four projected 2019 first round picks – Nick Bosa, Marquise Brown, Josh Jacobs and Drew Lock – are among NFL Draft prospects featured
- First two episodes available now; New episodes debut each Thursday through May 2
The second season of ESPN’s eight-episode original series Draft Academy debuts today exclusively on ESPN+. The series profiles six prospects – including four projected first-round picks – who will be part of the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft (April 25-27). The first two episodes are available now on ESPN+, the direct-to-consumer sports streaming service. Additional episodes will debut each Thursday through May 2.
The 2019 edition of Draft Academy tells the stories of six players – Nick Bosa, Drew Lock, Marquise Brown, Josh Jacobs, Jarrett Stidham and Tyree Jackson – who expect to hear their names called in the 2019 NFL Draft. The series chronicles the focused and intense period of preparation and process in the lead-up to the draft for each player, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at their training, the NFL Scouting Combine, Pro Days, home visits with their families, and more.
Episodes 1-7 will highlight the lead-up to the NFL Draft, while the final episode will recap the draft weekend experiences.
“Draft Academy has proven to be about so much more than physical preparation, it’s about overcoming obstacles, fighting to beat the odds and family bonds. I never imagined how loudly I’d be rooting for Shaquem Griffin before last year’s Draft Academy, and this season is sure to bring that same passion and emotion,” said Libby Geist, Vice President & Executive Producer, ESPN Films and Original Content.
Prospects featured in the new season of Draft Academy:
- Nick Bosa (Ohio State, DE): Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2018, Bosa was the 2017 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. He is the younger brother of Chargers DE Joey Bosa (No. 3 overall pick in 2016) and the son of John Bosa (No. 16 pick in 1987).
- Drew Lock (Missouri QB): Lock led the FBS with 44 touchdown passes in 2017, an SEC single-season record. In 2018, he was named All-SEC Second Team and finished his career at Missouri with 12,193 passing yards – second in SEC history.
- Marquise Brown (Oklahoma WR): A First Team All-American, Brown amassed 1,318 receiving yards in 2018, the fourth-best single season total in Oklahoma history. He led the Big 12 with a combined 2,413 receiving yards over the 2017-18 seasons. Nicknamed “Hollywood” Brown for his hometown of Hollywood, Fla., he is a cousin of Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown.
- Josh Jacobs (Alabama RB): The Most Valuable Player of the 2018 SEC Championship Game, Jacobs is expected to be the latest Alabama running back drafted in the first round.
- Jarrett Stidham (Auburn QB): In two seasons as the Auburn starter, Stidham threw 36 touchdown passes and 5,952 passing yards for his career. He was the 2018 Music City Bowl MVP.
- Tyree Jackson (Buffalo QB): The 2018 MAC Offensive Player of the Year, Jackson threw 28 touchdown passes and rushed for seven last season. He ran a 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds at the combine – the second-fastest time among quarterbacks this year.
ESPN’s 2019 Draft Academy premiere dates:
| Date | Show | Network |
| Thu, Apr 4 | ESPN Draft Academy (Episodes 1 & 2) | ESPN+ |
| Thu, Apr 11 | ESPN Draft Academy (Episode 3 & 4) | ESPN+ |
| Thu, Apr 18 | ESPN Draft Academy (Episode 5 & 6) | ESPN+ |
| Thu, Apr 25 | ESPN Draft Academy (Episode 7)
First day of the NFL Draft |
ESPN+ |
| Thu, May 2 | ESPN Draft Academy (Episode 8) | ESPN+ |
The inaugural edition of Draft Academy profiled 2018 draft prospects – USC QB Sam Darnold, Wyoming QB Josh Allen, Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Central Florida LB Shaquem Griffin, Notre Dame WR Equanimeous St. Brown and Houston QB Kyle Allen. The full season is available on demand, exclusively on ESPN+.
The Walt Disney Company and the 2019 NFL Draft:
Draft Academy on ESPN+ is part of The Walt Disney Company’s unprecedented commitment to the National Football League’s marquee offseason events, culminating in ABC’s first exclusive broadcast of the NFL Draft in primetime on Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26. ABC will produce its own distinct telecast for the ABC audience, separate from ESPN and NFL Network. For the second straight year, ABC will simulcast ESPN’s presentation on Day 3.
All three days of the Draft will also be covered by ESPN Radio and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes Radio.
Leading up to the NFL Draft, ESPN platforms will air an array of Draft-themed programming led by multiple editions of SportsCenter Specials – Mel and Todd Mock Draft, NFL Nation Mock Draft, You’ve Got Mel and Todd; episodes of NFL Matchup: Draft Specials, Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL; and more.
About ESPN+:
ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached two million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.
Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, top domestic and international soccer, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.
ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.
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