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2005 Small School Prospects
By Richard Foster
Every year, there are a myriad of non Division IA players who will get looks in the NFL, be it from division IAA, Divisions II or III, or the NIAA. Over the last 5 years, there have been an average of about 26 (25.8) "small school" players actually drafted per year, with an average of approximately 5 (4.6) going on the first day of the draft, and on average over half (13.6) go in the last two rounds.
This past draft, there was a slight drop off from the norm, with only 21 going in the entire draft, and 3 on the first day. 2004 had the fewest small school players drafted on the first day since 2001, when the Giants selected Will Peterson in the middle of the third round. Interestingly, all three of last year's first day small school selections were cornerbacks, which seem to be the "in" thing as far as small school prospects go these day.
There is no shortage of small school talent this year, the following is a preview of some of that talent. I have no doubts that some will come out of the woodworks and surprise everyone, but this is how I see it as of now.
Quarterbacks:
Bruce Eugene (Grambling, 6-1/245) has lit up defenses
since his sophomore season, has a good arm and is pretty nimble for his
size. His height (barely 6-0) and weight (reportedly over 260 at this
point) could drop him farther than many think he'll go. Ryan Fitzpatrick
(Harvard, 6-3/210) had the unenvious job of replacing Neil Rose at Harvard.
He has done a fairly admirable job, but has had some injury problems.
He has a slightly above average arm, good accuracy and is a solid athlete
capable of making things happen with his feet. Ryan Leadingham
(Sacramento State, 6-3/210) had a solid sophomore season, but has tailed
off and will need to have a solid senior campaign to garner draft consideration.
ECU transfer Paul Troth (Liberty, 6-5/230) has all the
talent in the world, but lacks consistency and accuracy. He will need
to really light it up if he expects to be drafted very high, if at all.
Running Backs:
Jamaal Branch (Colgate, 6-0/209) burst onto the scene
last year rushing for 2326 yards and 29 TDs. While very productive, Branch
lacks bulk and doesn't possess top end speed. Marcus Williams
(Maine, 5-10/227) has been consistently productive over the last two years,
rushing for a combined 2645 yards and 18 TDs. He's built thick and low
to the ground, keeps his balance well and is a very smart runner. He lacks
the extra gear you'd want from a high draft pick though. Derrick
Wimbush (Fort Valley State, 6-2/220) was overshadowed last year
by all the talk surrounding Duron Croson, but he won offensive player
of the year in the SIAC. He has a solid combination of size and speed,
while running hard between the tackles. Former JC standout and Auburn
transfer Brandon Jacobs (Southern Illinois, 6-4/257)
has the makings of ths year's highest picked small school standout. He
has exceptional speed (reported sub 4.5) for a man his size and is tough
running between the tackles. Minneosta transfer Terry Jackson
II (Southern Illinois, 5-11/190) has proven he has the talent
to compete on a high level, rushing for over 1300 yards in 2002 before
being pushed to the side in the Gophers' backfield by younger talent.
Should form a formidable duo with Jacobs. Derek Farmer (Stephen
F. Austin, 6-0/205) transfered from Texas A&M after having to step
aside for redshirt freshman Courtney Lewis. He lacks the bulk you'd really
like, but he runs bigger than he is and possesses the ability to take
it all the way on any occasion. Western Carolina transfer Fred
Boateng (Mars Hill, 6-0/220) is coming off a season ending knee
injury, which was proceeded by a injury riddled season at WCU. He has
a solid sophomore season at WCU. He possesses a great combination of size
and speed, reportedly running a 4.40 40 at 220+ pounds. He needs to ave
a big year if he expects to be drafted very high. John Kuhn (Shippensburg,
6-1/247) has run for 1868 yards and 38 TDs last 2 years while playing
fullback. He has the size/speed combination to be an effective back in
a one back system.
Wide Receivers:
Sale' Key (Idaho State, 6-5/210) is a big target who
caught 58 balls for 882 yards and 8 TDs last year. He doesn't have deep
speed, but he knows how to get open and use his body to get the ball in
his hands. Vince Jackson (Northern Colorado, 6-6/235)
is another big taget who knows how to get open and take the ball out of
the air. Jackson however possesses speed to get deep for a man his size,
reportedly running sub 4.5 40s. Junior Corey McKinney (Florida
International, 6-3/219) has been as productive as you could expect his
first two years, catching 83 passes for 1518 yards and 12 TDs, averaging
18.3 YPC. He has the size to compete in the NFL and deceptive speed. UCLA
transfer Tab Perry (Montana, 6-3/220) has always had
the potential to be a superstar, but has never been able to put it all
together, be it because of injuries or academics. He should be the primary
target in Montana. Junior Andre Green (Eastern Kentucky,
6-3/211) transfered from Middle Tennessee State prior to last season,
he had a pretty good season catching 22 passes for 371 yards and 4 TDs.
He needs to step up his game and use his size to his advantage.
Tight Ends:
Wade Fletcher (Columbia, 6-7/242) is a dominating receiver
who caught 59 passes last year for 874 yards and 9 TDs, with a 14.8 average.
He's a little linear and needs to work on blocking, but he fits the mold
of the athletic TE the NFL is looking for. Adam Bergen (Lehigh,
6-5/260) caught 70 passes for 840 yards and 6 TDs last year, and is a
solid blocker in both the passing and running game. Auburn transfer Jimmy
St. Louis (Murray State, 6-5/250) came in as a highly touted
transfer, but has had minimal impact at this point. He neds to stay on
the field and average
more than 10 yards a catch to be a draft consideration.
Offensive Linemen:
Guard Fred Layne (Western Illinois, 6-4/305) is one of
the top linemen in the SWAC and is an adept player in all facets of the
game. Tackle Geir Gudmunedsen (Albany, 6-6/315) is a
massive blocker who paved the way for Gary Jones the last few seasons.
Center Jelani Clement (Hampton, 6-2/310) is one of the front-runners,
with Fred Layne, form the top lineman in the SWAC. Tackle Buster
Ashley (Western Kentucky, 6-4/300) is a finesse player who may
lack the bulk to play tackle and may have to play guard or center at the
next level. Miniya Smith (Southern, 6-7/340) is a huge
offensive tackle who who has been garnered with all conference honors.
Is athletically gifted for a man his size. Rodney Magwood
(Albany State, 6-3/346) is a monster road grader who cleared the path
for a team that averaged 211.4 YPG rushing and 33 TDs rushing last year.
Defensive Linemen:
Defensive end Walter Curry (Albany State, 6-4/268) had
a dominating year last year, with 79 tackles, 30.5 for loss, 18 sacks
and 17 QB hurries. Curry has the size and speed to compete inthe NFL.
He will more than likely battle with Brandon Jacobs to be the top small
school player taken. Tackle Walif Campbell (Shaw, 6-4/320)
is a massive space eater who amassed 19.5 tackles for loss last year.
Defensive tackle Marcus White (Murray State, 6-5/280)
was second in the OVC in sacks with 9 and collected 14.5 tackles for loss
last season. Junior tackle John Paul Jones (McNeese State,
6-3/297) transfered from LSU after his redshirt freshman season and has
been a rock on the McNeese State defense. He needs to improve on last
year's slight "sophomore slump."
Linebackers:
Boomer Grigsby (Illinois State, 6-1/241) has been one
of the most productive linebackers in the country the last two seasons,
collecting 358 tackles and 28 for loss during that span. He has the size
and athleticism to be an every down middle linebacker in the NFL. Middle
linebacker Jamal Muhammad (Bethune-Cookman, 6-1/235)
has always been overshadowed by either Rashean Mathis or Stevie Baggs,
but is always productive. He totaled 124 tackles, 14 for loss and six
sacks this past season. Kevin Talley (Norfolk State,
6-0/230) made some noise last year, collecting 195 tackles and 10 for
loss as a junior. He's undersized and a little slower than you'd like.
Talley may be limited to the weaside or special teams in the NFL.
Liam Ezekiel (Northeastern, 6-1/252) has the size and speed to
be a solid middle linebacker in the NFL. He picked up 140 tackles last
year. Justen Rivers (Eastern Kentucky, 5-11/234) plays
inside for EKU, but will need to play weakside in the NFL. He's athletic
and racked up 99 tackles and 10 for loss as a junior. Vincent
Brown (Morgan State, 6-2/240) is a big run stuffer who picked
up 99 tackles and 22 for loss last year. He will be best suited as a two
down middle linebacker in the NFL.
Cornerbacks:
Louisville transfer Laroni Gallishaw (Murray State, 6-0/190)
teamed with Michael Hanley to form argueably the top corner duo in the
OVC. He came up with 2 interceptions and 11 pass break passes last year.
Ernie James (Idaho State, 6-1/190) isn't exactly a playmaker,
but he's a solid coverman with good size who pulled down one pick and
batted down 14 passes as a junior. Junior Shawn Woodard
(Shaw, 6-0/180) had an exceptional sophomore season, picking off 13 passes
and batting down 10 more. He needs to add some bulk to his lanky frame.
Dimitrius Patterson (Tuskegee, 6-0/190) transfered from
Southeast Missouri State after a superb junior season in which he pulled
in 6 interceptions and had 12 pass deflections. Jaison Cook (California,
Pa., 6-0/205) has a strong build and solid size speed combination. He
made 6 interceptions and 15 break-ups last year as a junior.
Safeties:
Junior Nick Turnbull (Florida International, 6-3/215)
is a solid all around player who needs to rebound after a bit of a sophomore
slump. He had 61 tackles, 4 interceptions and 6 pass knock downs last
season. He still has the physical abilities to be one of the better small
school prospects in the country. Atcheson Conway (Bowie
State, 6-2/215) is a former linebacker who has collecd 276 tackles, 37.5
for loss, 12 interceptions and 20 pass breakups in his first 3 seasons.
He has the size and ability to play either weakside linebacker or strong
safety. Mario Williams (Gardner-Webb, 6-2/206) had a
solid all around season last year, picking up 118 tackles, 7 behind the
line, 3 interceptions and 15 pass breakups. He has the size and athleticism
to be a solid small school prospect. Alexis Morel (Southern
Illinois, 6-1/205) needs to work on his coverage skills, but is solid
in run support, collecting 91 tackles and 3 for loss last year.
There you have it, 46 of the top small college players
in the country. I'm sure at least half of them won't even get drafted,
but don't say I didn't tell you to look out for them.
Email Richard by Clicking Here
©2004
Sideline Scouting Services
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