2009 NFL Draft Small School Prospects
By Hunter Ansley
Hunter is a freelance writer who has been published by ESPN the Magazine. He runs Draft Zoo.com
Send Hunter an e-mail here: draftzoo@gmail.com
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Best of the non-FBS
Everyone knows about Matthew Stafford, B.J. Raji, and Jason Smith. But what about the little guys who busted their humps every week despite playing in front of crowds smaller than opening night at the latest Jason Statham movie? They're out there, and as the draft inches closer, they're making some noise. Sure, there aren't any guys in the 2009 crop that will cause a debacle like the one evoked by two underachieving Jackson State players from the 2000 NFL Draft's first round. But there are some very intriguing mid-to-late round prospects that could end up becoming the next Jay Fiedler. Ok, no, that's mean. How about the next Joe Flacco?
Note: Rashad Jennings has been left off this list on purpose. Come on, that guy's a good enough prospect. He doesn't need my help getting noticed.
QB Mike Reilly, Central Washington - When asked what it was like to be a DII quarterback at the NFL combine, Mike Reilly matter-of-factly answered, "Hey, I think I'm the best quarterback in this year's draft." Well, sorry Mike, you're not. But you have to admire that misplaced moxie just a bit. Reilly added that he felt that kind confidence was necessary for him to be a successful pro. What won't make him a starter, though, is his lack of arm strength. At 6-3 215 pounds, Reilly has the size, and he certainly has the accuracy. In fact, he tossed 118 touchdowns after transferring from Washington State. But marginal arm strength will likely earn him a backup role in a West Coast system and a sixth round ceiling on high he'll be drafted.
WR Ramses Barden, Cal Poly - Talk about an up-and-down offseason. Barden saw his stock soar when scouts apparently opened the Mustangs media guide for the first time and learned that he stood 6-6 tall and weighed 229 pounds. Cracking open the game tape of his six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown performance against Wisconsin didn't hurt his stock either. But for a guy who has been drawing heavy comparisons to Marques Colston, he appeared outmatched at the Senior Bowl and incapable of consistently using his size to his advantage. Further disappointment ensued when GMs learned that he had nothing to do with building the pyramids despite his misleading name. Still Barden's frame is a huge advantage, and there are plenty of teams looking to pick up a sizeable target.
WR Johnny Knox, Abilene Christian - It can be tough to generate buzz about yourself when a Google search of your name yields more results for a department-store-boxing daredevil and an obscure musician (just check, there's a singer named Johnny Knox) than it does for you. But Knox earned himself a few hits when he posted a blazing 4.34 40 time in Indianapolis during a week when 90 percent of the guys there were hearing some strangely disappointing times. Knox also hauled in 17 touchdowns for the Wildcats, which is expected from a late-round prospect playing at the DII level. He may have a ways to go before that name of his is primarily associated with football, but don't be surprised if his 40 gets him picked up earlier than expected. Hey, it worked for Chris Johnson.
WR Dominique Edison, Stephen F. Austin - After looking like Tarzan and playing like Jane for three years, something must have gone off in Edison's head - like a light bulb. His senior season for the Lumberjacks saw him grab 17 touchdowns after compiling only 10 in his entire previous career. There's not a lot not to like about a 6-2 204 pound receiver who ran a 4.45 40 at the combine as a late round pick. It seems that this position, more than any other, is kind to small school prospects. I'm not saying that Edison will be the next TO or Jerry Rice, but the skills are there for him to enjoy a long and prosperous career as an NFL wideout who makes his name playing for one team and is then forced to seek playing time in a city like Oakland or Buffalo.
OT Joel Bell, Furman - Bell continued a somewhat impressive feat for an FCS school by becoming the third Furman player in the last four years to garner a combine invite. Despite playing for a school that boasts a World of Warcraft character as their mascot, this Paladin has managed to stand out in a good, non-"computer sits on a stack of old Hustlers in your parents basement kind of way." There's a trend among non-FBS players looking to get noticed as a prospect, and that trend is elite size. Bell is a three year starter who measured in at 6-7 and 315 pounds. One of the most athletic tackles in the draft, Bell will likely leave the Paladin moniker behind in the middle rounds. He's got to be excited about that.
OT Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee St - Yet another transfer prospect. These guys should all send Joe Flacco a note thanking him for erasing the transfer stigma. Lewis was virtually unbeatable at the Texas vs. the Nation game, which is a little like being the coolest guy at a Bon Jovi concert, but it doesn't hurt. At 6-5 315 pounds, Lewis has the length and size to play tackle, but he also consistently displayed the strength to move inside to guard. That kind of versatility is really propelling his stock. As an offensive linemen, paving the way for a rushing attack that averaged nearly 200 yards per contest is never a bad thing. Teams are constantly looking for a guy that can play more than one position up front, and this year that look could come in the third to fifth rounds.
DE Lawrence Sidbury Jr, Richmond - With most of the defensive ends at the top of this draft preparing to make a move to rush linebacker, it's refreshing to see a guy decide to stay put on the line. Sidbury mentioned that he planned to run in the high 4.4s in Indy, but the NFL Network gave him an official 4.64. So congratulations, Lawrence, that means you likely ran a 4.2. His 7.5 sacks as a senior won't wow anyone, but his measurables are noteworthy. His 40 time still led all defensive linemen, and he put up an eye-opening 28 reps on the bench. With some teams refusing to move to a 3-4 alignment, Sidbury could hear his name called in the third round by a team like Washington who is desperate for a 4-3 rush end.
DT Chris Baker, Hampton - Probably one of the most underrated players in the whole draft. Baker carries a small red flag due to a campus altercation, but at least he had a good reason for agreeing to a plea: "Trials are expensive." True that, Chris. But, if Baker's skills as a versatile defensive lineman get him drafted as high as he should be, he can afford all sorts of trials. Not that I'm condoning that. Baker played end in Hampton's 3-4 defense, and his 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss from that spot should translate well to the same position in the NFL. Of course, he has the ability and the size at 6-2 326 to move inside and provide a disruptive presence there as well. His stock is widely disputed, but the Penn State transfer should find a home in the middle rounds.
DT Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman - When he's not sitting around being a guy with an awesome blues singer name at a school that would make a pretty good blues band name, Sammie Lee Hill is using his enormous frame to take up space along the defensive interior. When you're 6-4 and 329 pounds, it's a challenge not to get noticed. His size has already earned him comparisons to Albert Haynesworth, which is unfair since he's never been seen stepping on anyone's face, and he likely won't sign an excessively inflated contract anytime soon. It may not be that long, however. With more teams switching to the 3-4, quality nose guards are becoming more sought after than ever. And if the right coach gets a hold of Lee Hill he could blossom into an All-Pro type of player and a steal in the fourth or fifth rounds.
OLB Lee Robinson, Alcorn St - Robinson is another guy who shined at the Texas vs. the Nation game, which is, of course, the pinnacle of all college all-star contests. After racking up 111 tackles and three picks as a senior, Robinson has used his size (6-2, 249) and stats to get noticed by NFL scouts. He has consistently shown the ability to hold up against pulling guards and use his strength and quickness to shed blocks. He moves exceptionally well for his size and doesn't seem limited to one part of the field. Most are projecting him as an ILB in a 3-4, but Robinson probably has the athleticism to play the strong side of a 4-3. Either way, he's looking at a sixth-to-seventh round pick, which puts him just a shade behind fellow former Brave Steve McNair, who went third overall. Hey, when you play at Alcorn, you take what you can get.
OLB Jason Williams, Western Illinois - Williams might be the only guy to ever put a degree in Exercise Science to good use. Williams blazed through his Pro Day 40 with times of 4.42 and 4.48. Those are the kind of numbers that get a guy drafted and make the rest of the B.A. Exercise Science guys wonder if they'll ever amount to anything. Williams posted at least one tackle for loss in every game last year except the last, finishing with 14.5, and notched two sacks against an Arkansas team full of draftable offensive linemen. He complained about not getting a combine invite, but after his personal workouts, the 6-1 241 pound freak should be thankful he didn't have to run for the genius in charge of reporting official times in Indy. That guy probably has a degree in Biology or English.
CB Don Carey, Norfolk St - Carey has spent most of his career battling perceptions. You don't end up at Norfolk State if you're a top-rated high school prospect. But Carey made the most of his time in the "spotlight" at the East-West Shrine Game. He was the most physical corner on either roster, and although pushing around a guy like Aaron Kelly was a hobby of many ACC corners in 2008, it showed that Carey can play with big-name guys. At 5-11 192, he's no elf, and he plays with an aggressiveness that is admirable, even if it leaves him out of position sometimes. His 4.54 combine 40 wasn't spectacular, but Carey plays with better football quickness than that, and he showed the speed to effectively recover from his mistakes.
CB Domonique Johnson, Jackson St - If you want your kid to grow up to be a small school prospect with the talent to become an NFL draft pick, just name him Domonique. After Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's success as a rookie, and with Dominique Edison's stock rising, this looks to be the right name for the game. Johnson is an intriguing prospect because of his rare blend of size and speed. However, Johnson does have trouble with his hip fluidity, and he doesn't play as physically as a 6-1 197 pound corner should. He has some injury concerns (knee), but his biggest fear should be that someone might compare him to former first round super-bust, fellow Jackson St player Rashard Anderson. That'll keep a guy up at night. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it.
2009 NFL Mock Draft - Walt's
2009 NFL Mock Draft - Matt McGuire's
2010 NFL Mock Draft
NFL Picks
2009 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
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© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
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Hunter is a freelance writer who has been published by ESPN the Magazine. He runs Draft Zoo.com
Send Hunter an e-mail here: draftzoo@gmail.com
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Best of the non-FBS
Everyone knows about Matthew Stafford, B.J. Raji, and Jason Smith. But what about the little guys who busted their humps every week despite playing in front of crowds smaller than opening night at the latest Jason Statham movie? They're out there, and as the draft inches closer, they're making some noise. Sure, there aren't any guys in the 2009 crop that will cause a debacle like the one evoked by two underachieving Jackson State players from the 2000 NFL Draft's first round. But there are some very intriguing mid-to-late round prospects that could end up becoming the next Jay Fiedler. Ok, no, that's mean. How about the next Joe Flacco?
Note: Rashad Jennings has been left off this list on purpose. Come on, that guy's a good enough prospect. He doesn't need my help getting noticed.
QB Mike Reilly, Central Washington - When asked what it was like to be a DII quarterback at the NFL combine, Mike Reilly matter-of-factly answered, "Hey, I think I'm the best quarterback in this year's draft." Well, sorry Mike, you're not. But you have to admire that misplaced moxie just a bit. Reilly added that he felt that kind confidence was necessary for him to be a successful pro. What won't make him a starter, though, is his lack of arm strength. At 6-3 215 pounds, Reilly has the size, and he certainly has the accuracy. In fact, he tossed 118 touchdowns after transferring from Washington State. But marginal arm strength will likely earn him a backup role in a West Coast system and a sixth round ceiling on high he'll be drafted.
WR Ramses Barden, Cal Poly - Talk about an up-and-down offseason. Barden saw his stock soar when scouts apparently opened the Mustangs media guide for the first time and learned that he stood 6-6 tall and weighed 229 pounds. Cracking open the game tape of his six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown performance against Wisconsin didn't hurt his stock either. But for a guy who has been drawing heavy comparisons to Marques Colston, he appeared outmatched at the Senior Bowl and incapable of consistently using his size to his advantage. Further disappointment ensued when GMs learned that he had nothing to do with building the pyramids despite his misleading name. Still Barden's frame is a huge advantage, and there are plenty of teams looking to pick up a sizeable target.
WR Johnny Knox, Abilene Christian - It can be tough to generate buzz about yourself when a Google search of your name yields more results for a department-store-boxing daredevil and an obscure musician (just check, there's a singer named Johnny Knox) than it does for you. But Knox earned himself a few hits when he posted a blazing 4.34 40 time in Indianapolis during a week when 90 percent of the guys there were hearing some strangely disappointing times. Knox also hauled in 17 touchdowns for the Wildcats, which is expected from a late-round prospect playing at the DII level. He may have a ways to go before that name of his is primarily associated with football, but don't be surprised if his 40 gets him picked up earlier than expected. Hey, it worked for Chris Johnson.
WR Dominique Edison, Stephen F. Austin - After looking like Tarzan and playing like Jane for three years, something must have gone off in Edison's head - like a light bulb. His senior season for the Lumberjacks saw him grab 17 touchdowns after compiling only 10 in his entire previous career. There's not a lot not to like about a 6-2 204 pound receiver who ran a 4.45 40 at the combine as a late round pick. It seems that this position, more than any other, is kind to small school prospects. I'm not saying that Edison will be the next TO or Jerry Rice, but the skills are there for him to enjoy a long and prosperous career as an NFL wideout who makes his name playing for one team and is then forced to seek playing time in a city like Oakland or Buffalo.
OT Joel Bell, Furman - Bell continued a somewhat impressive feat for an FCS school by becoming the third Furman player in the last four years to garner a combine invite. Despite playing for a school that boasts a World of Warcraft character as their mascot, this Paladin has managed to stand out in a good, non-"computer sits on a stack of old Hustlers in your parents basement kind of way." There's a trend among non-FBS players looking to get noticed as a prospect, and that trend is elite size. Bell is a three year starter who measured in at 6-7 and 315 pounds. One of the most athletic tackles in the draft, Bell will likely leave the Paladin moniker behind in the middle rounds. He's got to be excited about that.
OT Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee St - Yet another transfer prospect. These guys should all send Joe Flacco a note thanking him for erasing the transfer stigma. Lewis was virtually unbeatable at the Texas vs. the Nation game, which is a little like being the coolest guy at a Bon Jovi concert, but it doesn't hurt. At 6-5 315 pounds, Lewis has the length and size to play tackle, but he also consistently displayed the strength to move inside to guard. That kind of versatility is really propelling his stock. As an offensive linemen, paving the way for a rushing attack that averaged nearly 200 yards per contest is never a bad thing. Teams are constantly looking for a guy that can play more than one position up front, and this year that look could come in the third to fifth rounds.
DE Lawrence Sidbury Jr, Richmond - With most of the defensive ends at the top of this draft preparing to make a move to rush linebacker, it's refreshing to see a guy decide to stay put on the line. Sidbury mentioned that he planned to run in the high 4.4s in Indy, but the NFL Network gave him an official 4.64. So congratulations, Lawrence, that means you likely ran a 4.2. His 7.5 sacks as a senior won't wow anyone, but his measurables are noteworthy. His 40 time still led all defensive linemen, and he put up an eye-opening 28 reps on the bench. With some teams refusing to move to a 3-4 alignment, Sidbury could hear his name called in the third round by a team like Washington who is desperate for a 4-3 rush end.
DT Chris Baker, Hampton - Probably one of the most underrated players in the whole draft. Baker carries a small red flag due to a campus altercation, but at least he had a good reason for agreeing to a plea: "Trials are expensive." True that, Chris. But, if Baker's skills as a versatile defensive lineman get him drafted as high as he should be, he can afford all sorts of trials. Not that I'm condoning that. Baker played end in Hampton's 3-4 defense, and his 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss from that spot should translate well to the same position in the NFL. Of course, he has the ability and the size at 6-2 326 to move inside and provide a disruptive presence there as well. His stock is widely disputed, but the Penn State transfer should find a home in the middle rounds.
DT Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman - When he's not sitting around being a guy with an awesome blues singer name at a school that would make a pretty good blues band name, Sammie Lee Hill is using his enormous frame to take up space along the defensive interior. When you're 6-4 and 329 pounds, it's a challenge not to get noticed. His size has already earned him comparisons to Albert Haynesworth, which is unfair since he's never been seen stepping on anyone's face, and he likely won't sign an excessively inflated contract anytime soon. It may not be that long, however. With more teams switching to the 3-4, quality nose guards are becoming more sought after than ever. And if the right coach gets a hold of Lee Hill he could blossom into an All-Pro type of player and a steal in the fourth or fifth rounds.
OLB Lee Robinson, Alcorn St - Robinson is another guy who shined at the Texas vs. the Nation game, which is, of course, the pinnacle of all college all-star contests. After racking up 111 tackles and three picks as a senior, Robinson has used his size (6-2, 249) and stats to get noticed by NFL scouts. He has consistently shown the ability to hold up against pulling guards and use his strength and quickness to shed blocks. He moves exceptionally well for his size and doesn't seem limited to one part of the field. Most are projecting him as an ILB in a 3-4, but Robinson probably has the athleticism to play the strong side of a 4-3. Either way, he's looking at a sixth-to-seventh round pick, which puts him just a shade behind fellow former Brave Steve McNair, who went third overall. Hey, when you play at Alcorn, you take what you can get.
OLB Jason Williams, Western Illinois - Williams might be the only guy to ever put a degree in Exercise Science to good use. Williams blazed through his Pro Day 40 with times of 4.42 and 4.48. Those are the kind of numbers that get a guy drafted and make the rest of the B.A. Exercise Science guys wonder if they'll ever amount to anything. Williams posted at least one tackle for loss in every game last year except the last, finishing with 14.5, and notched two sacks against an Arkansas team full of draftable offensive linemen. He complained about not getting a combine invite, but after his personal workouts, the 6-1 241 pound freak should be thankful he didn't have to run for the genius in charge of reporting official times in Indy. That guy probably has a degree in Biology or English.
CB Don Carey, Norfolk St - Carey has spent most of his career battling perceptions. You don't end up at Norfolk State if you're a top-rated high school prospect. But Carey made the most of his time in the "spotlight" at the East-West Shrine Game. He was the most physical corner on either roster, and although pushing around a guy like Aaron Kelly was a hobby of many ACC corners in 2008, it showed that Carey can play with big-name guys. At 5-11 192, he's no elf, and he plays with an aggressiveness that is admirable, even if it leaves him out of position sometimes. His 4.54 combine 40 wasn't spectacular, but Carey plays with better football quickness than that, and he showed the speed to effectively recover from his mistakes.
CB Domonique Johnson, Jackson St - If you want your kid to grow up to be a small school prospect with the talent to become an NFL draft pick, just name him Domonique. After Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's success as a rookie, and with Dominique Edison's stock rising, this looks to be the right name for the game. Johnson is an intriguing prospect because of his rare blend of size and speed. However, Johnson does have trouble with his hip fluidity, and he doesn't play as physically as a 6-1 197 pound corner should. He has some injury concerns (knee), but his biggest fear should be that someone might compare him to former first round super-bust, fellow Jackson St player Rashard Anderson. That'll keep a guy up at night. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it.
2009 NFL Mock Draft - Walt's
2009 NFL Mock Draft - Matt McGuire's
2010 NFL Mock Draft
NFL Picks
2009 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9