The Draft is a huge party for the NFL. I enjoy seeing all the hoopla, but one of my favorite things is to learn about the smaller school guys that no one has every heard of. For every player, the Draft is a life changer. However, for the big school guys, they are used to the reporters and bright lights. For the smaller school teams, they may not play in a big conference or in a program with a tradition like those big boys. So, making it to the Show is such a big deal. The truth is the NFL is made up of so many players, and it is a true meritocracy. The best players and talent will always win.
Some notable small school guys have been – Antonio Brown (WR, Central Michigan 2010 – 6th Round), Tariq Cohen (RB, North Carolina A&T 2017 – 4th Round), David Johnson (RB, Northern Iowa 2015 – 3rd Round), Antoine Bethea (S, Howard 2006 – 6th Round), Jason Kelce (C, Cincinnati 2011 – 6th Round), and Terron Armstead (OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2013 – 3rd Round).
Here are some guys you have likely never heard about, but should hear announced on Draft Weekend – likely in Rounds 3 or later:
Tyree Jackson, QB – Buffalo – At 6’7″ and 249 lbs, Jackson is a big dude with excellent athleticism. He ran a 4.59 sec 40 yard dash, a 4.28 20 yard shuttle and 120 inch Broad Jump. Jackson struggled with accuracy, but he has a strong arm. Led the Bulls to the MAC title game and a bowl appearance – both losses. Definite developmental guy, but with that size and mobility he will get drafted. Projection: 4th Round
Devin Singletary, RB – Florida Atlantic – An undersized guy at 5’7″ and 203 lbs for every down work. He did not test great at the combine with a 4.66 40 yard dash and 4.4 second 20 yard shuttle. However, his TD production in college is hard to ignore – 33 Total TDs in 2017 and 22 in 2018. He showed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield in past years, not 2018. He will be an asset to some team for RB depth and would not surprise me if he becomes a red zone threat on a high volume team. Projection: 4th Round
Tytus Howard, OT – Alabama State – Prototypical size at 6’5″ and 322 lbs. Showed good quickness with 4.87 20 yard Shuttle. Howard was a HS QB, so his athleticism will serve him well in the NFL. He lacks some technique and coming from a much smaller conference will need to get up to speed to the NFL game. Still, guys of this size and quickness are exactly what the NFL is looking for. Projection: Late 2nd/Early 3rd Round
Sean Bunting, CB – Central Michigan – Has good size at 6’0″ and 195 lbs, but still can run with a 4.42 second 40 yard dash and a crazy 41.5 inch vertical. Clearly has the athletic tools to succeed at the position. Now, with his length his is not a press CB, but he should get drafted and make a roster in the pass happy NFL. Projection: 3rd Round
Khalen Saunders, DT – Western Illinois – At 6’0″ and 324 lbs., Saunders is a load in the middle of the defense. He has the measurables with good quickness (4.62 20 yard shuttle) and 27 reps on the bench press. The knock on him is his fitness and ability to sustain effort. However, in an NFL conditioning program, Saunders can be a good rotational tackle. In a loaded DT Draft, Saunders can be a nice later round bargain for some team. Projection: Round 4
Maxx Crosby, EDGE – Eastern Michigan – 6’5″ and 255 lbs, he is a long limbed guy with a lot of potential to put weight on his frame in the NFL. He has decent speed at 4.66 second 40 yard dash, 4.13 second 20 yard shuttle, and 36 inch vertical. He may be a practice squad type guy for a year somewhere, but he should get drafted. Projection: Late 5th/Early 6th Round
Josh Oliver, TE – San Jose State – 6’5″ and 249 lbs – a good blend of athleticism and ball skills from a high volume passing attack – 56 catches for 709 yards and 4 TDs. He is more in the mold of a receiving TE versus in line blocking. One of the key positions in the modern NFL and a draft with very few high end TEs, I think Oliver will be drafted for sure. Projection: 4th Round
Anthony Johnson, WR – Buffalo – a top target for Jackson mentioned above, at 6’2″ and 209 lbs., Johnson has good size with former basketball skills. He may struggle with press CBs early, but out of the slot his steady hands will give him a chance to contribute right away. Projection: 4th Round
There are just a few guys to look out for. Plus, there are under-rated guys from bigger programs that go later than they should. I just root for the guys from the non-Power 5 conferences, especially on Draft Day.
Wegs