NAIA does not have anyone that I thought would be a draft pick for sure but someone with a shot if he tests well and has a monster year is Marian WR Johnny William. He is about 5'10 175 lbs from what I had and he likely runs 4.4s or high 4.3s. 1st team All-MSFA Mideast in 18 + 19
Saint John's (MN) OT Ben Bartch is another sleeper to watch. He was a 230 pound TE out of HS and moved to LT in 2018. Now he is 6'6, 285. If he can reach 300 and run well then he has a real shot to move up into the 5th-7th round range on my board. D3 could see a player drafted.
I'll be floored if Valdosta St CB Stephen Denmark does not get drafted. He had a lot of buzz on the road during the fall and at 6'2 1/2, 220 pounds he ran in the mid 4.4s, a 1.48 10-yard, 43 1/2 VJ, 10'10 BJ, 33 3/8 arm, and 79 1/2 wingspan. Should be picked on Day 3 for sure.
Awful news to report. 2024 Draft Prospect Albany DE AJ Simon has passed. Prayers and condolences to his family, teammates, friends, coaches, and anyone impacted. I am told he was found last night but no details beyond that.
I'm sure NFL teams are buzzing on Sioux Falls OT Trey Pipkins and they should. He is big, long, athletic, and has solid technique. Still needs to grow in his body but he could go in 4th or 5th rd. However, he isn't only Sioux Falls OT to watch. RT Adam Sheffield also looks good.
South Dakota State has a lot of talent with RB Pierre Strong, who had a good title game, leading the way. Their LT Aron Johnson is likely to get looks. 6'6, 295 with pretty decent feet. I have Strong in draft and Johnson as a high PFA. C Wes Genant also on my radar.
Morningside WR Connor Niles is having a huge year. I have him at 6'0, 195 pounds with 4.6 speed but if he can run 4.5s and get an all-star game invite he has a shot. Keep an eye on this one. True sleeper to media but has been killing it for over 2 years at NAIA level.
Early small school risers: UNI OT Penning, SDSU RB Pierre Strong, UTC OL Cole Strange, SC State CB be Decobie Durant, Fordham OT Nick Zakelj, SLU QB Cole Kelley, Holy Cross DE Benton Whitley, Newberry CB Anthony Blue, Villanova CB Christian Benford, Adam’s St TE Ian Fryday…
Oklahoma Baptist WR Keilahn Harris and Shepherd OL Joey Fisher are doing really well at the NFLPA, I am hearing. Excited to hear that. Have had both in the draft for a while.
Rhode Island WR Isaiah Coulter has declared for the NFL Draft. He signed with an agent a couple weeks ago. Coulter was productive with 72 catches for 1,039 yards and 8 TDs. I have him with a 6th round grade. Rhode Island could have 2 WRs drafted.
I have not really seen second round talk on SDSU RB Pierre Strong but he has been in my top 5 the entire time and I could see him going in round 2. I say 3rd round is the low. Some of the stuff he does on film is freaky athletic. Explosive, fast, dominant, and has good size.
LT 76 Drew Forbes of SEMO showing strength and ability to finish. His film is very good. Has pretty good flexion and is a finisher. Good strength. Projects as a guard. Love his nasty demeanor and power in run game. Can mirror and punch well also. I predict round 3-5 draft pick.
Small school WR class is loaded. My top guy is South Dakota St's Cade Johnson but among some really good ones to watch are Charleston's Mike Strachan, Villanova's Changa Hodge, Montana duo Samori Toure and Samuel Akem, Citadel's Raleigh Webb, and Lenoir-Rhyne's Dareke Young.
D2 has several names heavily on radar this fall. Here is a list of some of them. Mankato DE Maven Kretche and OT Marshall Foerner, Carson-Newman S Major Williams, Central Missouri QB Zach Zebrowski, Colorado Mines WR Max McLeod, Duluth OT Aiden Williams and TE Sam Pitz...
Some small school TE names to watch: North Dakota State duo of Noah Gindorff and Josh Babicz, Idaho's Logan Kendall, and Illinois State's Tanner Taula.
Marian TE Brandon Dillon worked out at Purdue and I'm told he ran in the 4.7s at 6'4, 248 pounds. He had a 32 1/2 VJ, 9'9 BJ, 4.3s SS, and did 19 bench reps. Should be a very good PFA.
As has been expected, South Dakota State tight end Zach Heins has announced he will use an extra year of eligibility for the 2023 season with the reigning FCS champion Jackrabbits. (Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Maine OT Jamil Demby has accepted a Shrine Game invite. Really good pick for them. He should go in 5-7 range. Delaware DT Bilal Nichols also to the Shrine. Potential 6-7 pick but I have PFA grade on him now.
Have done a rough draft of small school top 100 and here are some notes. Canadian players included for the first time and 3 are in this year's version. South Dakota State leads all schools with 7 players in the top 100.
Small school top 100 on has been updated! Quick look at the top 20: 1. OT Trevor Penning UNI 1st round; 2. RB Pierre Strong SDSU 3rd; 3. OT Braxton Jones Southern Utah 4th-5th; 4. OG Cole Strange Chattanooga 4th-5th; 5. WR Christian Watson NDSU 5th
FCS All-American RB becomes 2nd known FCS player to declare early for NFL Draft. A very good player who should get drafted for sure. I have him in the 5th round right now. His postseason will be key but keep an eye on this one. He will be in my top 10 small school prospects.
Some NAIA names I have seen some film on and believe will warrant some NFL looks this fall are Langston DT Craig Evans, Kansas Wesleyan RB DeMarco Prewitt and OT Eli Smith, SW Assemblies of God S Landon Jones, Montana Tech RB Jed Fike, Rocky Mountain DE Ryder Rice among others.
Decided I will release the first 2018 NFL Draft small school top 20 players tomorrow if I have 100 likes and 20 retweets with a yes reply by tomorrow at 7pm!
I will wait to get confirmed numbers but hearing that Cal Poly WR Chris Coleman and Ashland LB Michael Ayers both tested really well and should be good PFAs or possible late round picks. Coleman is a 4.4 guy and Ayers has been known to time in the 4.5s and hit high 4.4s.
Current top 10 small school combine snubs: 1 OL Drew Forbes SEMO 2 QB Jake Dolegala CCSU 3 CB Jimmy Moreland JMU 4 TE Donald Parham Stetson 5 DB Stephen Denmark VSU 6 RB Bruce Anderson NDSU 7 WR Trinity Benson ECU 8 DE Markus Jones ASU 9 RB Wes Hills SRU 10 CB Dylan Mabin Fordham
A few D2 names to watch who could end up in the magazine ratings are Tiffin RB Ja'Quan Hardy, Central Missouri TE Zach Davidson, Charleston WR Mike Strachan, Valdosta St QB Rogan Wells, and Concordia St Paul DE Chris Garrett. All of deserving among the top players in CFB.
So far South Dakota State and Montana State have the most players in my small school top 100 with 4 each. A few other notes in my current top 100: 8 QBs, 23 WRs, 1 Punter, 0 kickers and long snappers, and 20 DBs among notables.
As far as small school QBs go there is a chance we see one drafted in 2025 with South Dakota State's Mark Gronowski having the best shot at getting a Senior Bowl invite with a deep class. Zebrowski and Cam Miller, and Luke Lehnen are highly productive and will be fun to watch.
NFL released more names who have declared for the 2018 NFL Draft: West Michigan P Derrick Mitchell, Wash St WR Kyrin Priester, Arizona DT Larry Tharpe, East Texas Baptist LB C.J. Johnson, Ferris St DE Zach Sieler, Concordia (MI) DB Ra-Heem Hill, and Tenn St OT Christian Morris
Projecting the first D2 draft pick is going to be hard this year. Nobody is a slam dunk to be first and I have at least 3 who I think could be the first one taken. I do believe it will either be Keilahn Harris, Joey Fisher, or Caleb Murphy.
Here is a look at small school position rankings heading into pro days with all combine results + all-star game evals taken into consideration. Top 5 CBs: 1. Jordan Brown SDSU 2. Corey Ballentine Washburn 3. Jimmy Moreland JMU 4. Stephen Denmark Valdosta St 5. Dylan Mabin Fordham
Never thought I would say this but don’t sleep on this CGS All Star and Tropical Bowl rosters this year. If they keep all the players on both rosters the gap for them and NFLPA Bowl is very close. There are 20-25 players at CGS or Tropical I expected NFLPA to have.
Here are small school interior OL to watch for 2024: Gus Miller, S Dakota St; Joey Lombard, South Dakota; Evan Roussel, Nicholls, Kyler Blake-Jones, Grand Valley; Jonny Bottorff, Northern Arizona; Markus Finley, Bluffton; Christo Kelly, Holy Cross; Zack Gieg, SE Missouri St
Nobody ever talks about long snapper but I have 4 small school long snappers on the radar. Top names are Cal Poly's Sawyer Sobelman, Montana's Matthew O'Donoghue, SDSU's Bradey Sorenson, and Eastern New Mexico's Roope Henry.
My small school WR watch list is very long: Ryan Flournoy, SEMO; Wayne Ruby, Mount Union; Darius Cooper, Tarleton St; Hayden Hatten, Idaho; Ty James, Mercer; Jaxon and Jadon Janke, SDSU; Bryce Oliver, YSU; O'Joshua Bunton, Lane College...
Updated projected small school pos ratings: CB 1. Taron Johnson Weber St 4th 2. Davontae Harris Ill St 5th 3. Siran Neal Jacksonville St 5th-6th 4. Michael Joseph Dubuque 6th 5. D'Montre Wade Murray St 7th-PFA. Just missed: Danny Johnson, Southern; Reggie Hall, Jacksonville St
There are a lot of D3 names on my radar for this fall. Illinois College has a duo in QB Destin Chance and WR Collin Brunstein, North Central QB Luke Lehnen, George Fox OL Zach Luworo, Corland St RB Jaden AlfanoStJohn, LaCrosse WR Jack Studer, Case Western WR Noah Coyne...
6. TE Zach Heins S Dakota St- Heins is a big prospect at 6'6 1/2, 257 pounds. HM All-MVFC in fall 2021 and 1st team in spring. 24 rec, 250 yds, 6 TDs. Good pass catcher. Day 3 projection. Possible Senior Bowl and NFL Combine invite.
Small School Top 10: 1.S Nasir Adderley Del 2.OL Drew Forbes SEMO 3.CB Jordan Brown SDSU 4.Trey Pipkins Sioux Falls 5. WR Keelan Doss UC Davis 6.OL Oli Udoh Elon 7. DE John Cominsky Charleston 8. CB Corey Ballentine Washburn 9. WR Alexander Hollins EIU 10. DE Derick Roberson SHSU
Small schools most represented in my early small school top 300 are SDSU (8), NDSU, Jackson State, and South Dakota (7), Montana, SEMO, and Missouri State (6), Holy Cross, Illinois State, FAMU, Sam Houston, Valdosta State, and UNI (5).
Here is early small school top 10 prospects by school. Not putting out projection or exact rank just yet. RB Marcus Yarns, Delaware; OT Hunter Zambrano, Illinois St; S Cole Wisniewski, NDSU; OT Grey Zabel, NDSU; OG Jackson Slater, Sac State; QB Mark Gronowski, SDSU...
I really like this WR group. Everyone knows about SDSU's Jake Wieneke, NAU's Elijah Marks, and Penn's Justin Watson but UNI's Daurice Fountain, WIU's Jaelon Acklin, and Ark-Monticello's Jalen Tolliver all had big years and could be a PFA with Fountain a possible 6-7 round pick.
Of those projected OG and center types the top names to watch are Gus Miller of S Dakota State, Marcus Wehr of Montana State, Charles Grant of William & Mary, Jackson Slater of Sac State, and Evan Beerntsen of S Dakota State in no order.
Valdosta St has another under the radar guy who worked out and did pretty wel. Iseoluwapo Jegede ran a 4.8 40 at 6'5 1/2, 273 pounds. He did 22 reps, 36 VJ, 10'2 BJ, 4.6s in short shuttle, and 7.9s 3-cone. Should be a PFA or late round pick as a DT or DE. Needs to fill out for DT
A look at top small school QBs: Mark Gronowski, South Dakota St; Cam Miller, N Dakota St; Zach Zebrowski, Central Missouri; Tommy Mellott, Montana St; Destin Chance, Illinois College; Jackson Waring, Grand View; Zach Calzada, Incarnate Word; Connor Watkins, Villanova...
A few more top small school names to watch on day 3 who were not at combine: RB Martez Carter GSU; CB Mike Ford SEMO; DE/LB Kendall Donnerson SEMO; WR Elijah Marks NAU; CB Keion Crossen WCU; CB Trey Johnson Villanova; S Cole Reyes UND; OG Matt Gono Wesley; OT Austin Fleer Mesa.
It’s gone unnoticed but SDSU TE Tucker Kraft has missed 4 games due to what turns out to be high right ankle sprain. TE Heins has stepped up and playing like an All-MVFC pick again. Wouldn’t let me edit so resending. Hopefully we see Kraft back soon. He is an elite FCS player.
My top NAIA prospect is Marian WR Johnny William who is fast and productive. Had 1,018 yards and 11 TDs in 2019. Keep an eye on Saint Andrews (NC) WR Jermaine Trotman and Northwestern (IA) WR Shane Solberg if they can run well enough.
OT group led by Yale's Kiran Amegadjie w/SDSU's Garret Greenfield, EKU's Josiah Ezirim, Princeton's Jalen Travis, Howard's Anim Dankwah, Montana's Chris Walker, Findlay's Michael Jerrell, Campbell's Mike Edwards, Murray St's DJ Jones, Yale's Jonathan Mendoza, Richmond's Ryan Coll
A lot of changes coming to updated top 10. Saw a player I thought could rise a few weeks ago but did more work and safe to say Holy Cross OG CJ Hanson is draftable. New biggest riser that has gone from top 125 to top 10 in the small school rankings.
Small school TE group led by SDSU's Zach Hines but also deep with Montana's Cole Grossman, Duluth's Sam Pitz, St. John's Alex Larson, Dartmouth's Jace Henry, EWU's Blake Gobel, ND College's CJ Kiss, Weber St's Hayden Meacham, UNI's Alex Allen, and Yale's Jackson Hawes.
Others to keep an eye on who I don't have in the draft but could play their way in or test well enough are Illinois ST DL Dalton Keene, WIU LB Brett Taylor, WIU WR Jaelon Acklin, UNI S Elijah Campbell, JSU CB Reggie Hall, Slippery Rock DE Marcus Martin, Fordham RB Chase Edmonds.
The
@seniorbowl
is excited to add
@ElonFootball
RT
#73
Oli Udoh (
@OliUdoh
) to the South roster. Our staff was on Udoh early in the fall and his talent is undeniable. We’ve gotten plenty of calls from NFL friends this week saying Udoh earned the call-up from the
@Shrine_Game
.
Been working on cleaning up and tweaking prospect lists. Top D3 names to watch for NFL Draft weekend. Whitewater C Nate Trewyn, North Park CB DJ Simmons, St Norbert K Spenser Thompson-Meyers, Rhodes OG DJ Coker, Bethel (MN) LB Dawson Brown, and Bridgewater St WR Jack Lavanchy.
Biggest FCS risers for me so far are SEMO OL Drew Forbes, WIU DT Khalen Saunders, SDSU CB Jordan Brown, NDSU QB Easton Stick, McNeese LB BJ Blunt, SHSU DE Derick Roberson, Maine LB Sterling Sheffield, and EIU WR Alexander Hollins. All of them having All-America seasons.
Putting together the final ratings for
@philsteele042
magazine today and tomorrow. There WILL BE some small schoolers in here. NDSU WR Christian Watson, SHSU WR Jequez Ezzard, FAMU S Markquese Bell, Southern Utah OT Braxton Jones, and SDSU RB Pierre Strong, among many more!
Big invite for Austin. Shrine needs to add Maine OT Jamil Demby and then all the top small school OL would be in Shrine or Senior Bowl. Demby is a 5th-7th round projection and I expect him to go to the NFL combine.
Keep an eye on Sundell, SDSU OT Garrett Greenfield, Rhode Island OT Lorenzo Thompson, and Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker as I believe all 4 of them will make a 53-man roster.
9. WR Jaxon Janke S Dakota State- Another in the stacked SDSU draft class. He is 6'2, 209 pounds and likely runs in the 4.5s. 72 rec for 1165 yards and 5 TDs in 2021. 2-time MVFC All-Conf. Possible late round pick, NFL Combine invite and should end up in one of top all-star games
Missouri Pro Day on March 22nd had a lot of small schoolers and there are a few names to know. Central Missouri DE David Olajiga measured 6032, 319 pounds, ran a 5.10 40, 34 VJ, 8'2 broad jump, 5.00 shuttle, and did 30 bench reps. Should be a FA or Tryout.
My preseason
#1
D2 prospect will come from this list and all will get all-star game consideration: Lane WR O'Joshua Bunton, Lenoir-Rhyne DT Andre Jefferson, Mankato CB/RS Trey Vaval, East Stroudsburg DE Deshawn McCarthy, Virginia St CB Willie Drew, and Findlay OT Michael Jerrell.
Big get here! Neumann is the
#3
ranked senior TE from Illinois. Soft hands and a ferocious blocker. Held offers from half the MVFC and FBS Eastern Michigan.
#GoJacks
Eastern Kentucky Pro Day on March 21st had 3 players to keep an eye on. OLB Logan Blake was an All-American in 2023 after transferring from NAIA and he put up a good workout. Measured 6007, 238 pounds w/4.66 40, 40.5 VJ, 10'10 broad, 4.34 shuttle, and 23 bench reps. Likely PFA.
One more of SEMO LT Drew Forbes. Finished the guy after he kicked him out and even clearly the guy is out of the play you see Forbes keep playing through the whistle. Has good strength and keeps a good base.
Really surprised NFLPA Bowl has not jumped on WIU LB Brett Taylor or WR Jaelon Acklin. Also surprised I have not seen CSU-Pueblo OL Ty McCulley invited by any of the top 3 games.
There are other combine snubs who I like a lot as well. Albany WR Juwan Green and LB Eli Mencer, SDSU LB Christian Rozeboom, Ill St S Luther Kirk, Tarleton St CB Prince Robinson, Glenville St LB Dominic Cizauskas, SIU CB Madre Harper, and Montana St DE Bryce Sterk.
Other small school CBs I have liked some on film are Lamar Robbins of Davenport, Tremon Smith of UCA, Donovan Olumba of Portland St, and Malcolm Washington of UNI.
Missouri Valley could have a record number draft picks this year. NDSU QB Trey Lance and OT Dillon Radunz, UNI DE Elerson Smith and OT Spencer Brown, Ill St S Christian Uphoff and OT Drew Himmelman, and SDSU WR Cade Johnson all lead the way.
St Francis CB Jermaine Ponder is a name I have brought up before.
@NECralph
remember? Unknown in media and among fans but a player who has been firmly on NFL radar since the fall. Had a good pro day. 6'1, 197, and 40 in 4.5s. 40 VJ, 11'1 BJ, 4.29 SS, 15 reps. PFA now.
This is one that I believe will rise. Should get an invite to the NFLPA, Shrine and Senior Bowl. I have him in early 5th round now but if he does well at OG in postseason he will test well and rise as high as 3rd round. 1 of 5-6 legit D2 NFL OL this year.
📞 HISTORY MADE! Shepherd OL Joey Fisher got call-up to Senior Bowl after strong week at NFLPA game. Fisher joins his QB Tyson Bagent in Mobile, marking first time that two players from D-II program are in game together. Congrats to
@SURamsFootball
!!! 👏
#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE
™️
SEMO OL Drew Forbes just had a great workout. 5.0 40 range with a 30.5 VJ, 8’11 BJ, 7.76 3-cone, and 26 bench reps. He was 6’4 303. Very good in position drills. Should go as high as top 150 picks. May go in round 4 or 5.
A hot name during the pro day circuit is Yale WR Mason Tipton who ran a mid 4.3 40 at 5097, 179 pounds. He had a 1.46 10, 37 VJ, 10'5 broad, 4.22 shuttle, and 12 bench reps. PFA projection who should make a roster.
Both Holy Cross OL CJ Hanson and Wr Jalen Coker have been invited to the NFL Combine. 40 will be huge for Coker. Expecting Hanson to be among top testers.
Several players have made major jumps in the back half of the top 100. Among them are Princeton OT Henry Byrd, Minn St Mankato S AJ Mcghee, North Dakota WR Garett Maag, SLU QB/WR Cephus Johnson, Henderson State WR Xavier Malone, Delaware LB Johnny Buchanan, + Union RB Ike Irabor
Colts just took YSU TE Andrew Ogletree at 192 overall in 6th round. He was my
#18
small schooler projected to go in 7th with a chance at 6th and he did. I love this pick. Saw film late and loved size, speed, and blocking. 6'5 1/4, 261, 4.7 speed. 35 VJ, 10'1 BJ, 26 reps
SDSU RB Pierre Strong Jr went to New England at 127 overall in the 4th round. He was my
#5
small school prospect. Hands are only major weakness as he is explosive and a very good runner. I have Zyon McCollum and Braxton Jones as highest rated available.
@JackIllustrated
No joke! The way it has been at SDSU the odds are he will be a prospect. Every year I would say I have more prospects from SDSU and NDSU on my list than at least 50 FBS schools. You guys have done an incredible job. Make sure to pick up Phil Steele to see your school represented!