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Pro Day Report: Small School Prospect Watch
Written by Josh Buchanan
Sunday, 01 March 2009 10:21
PRE-PRO DAY SMALL SCHOOL STOCK REPORT: Small Schools Prove Just as Athletic as FBS schools.
Every year the NFL Scouting Combine invites small school prospects but nobody truly expects them to steal the show.
While Connor Barwin of Cincinnati stole the show it is not far fetched so say that the small schoolers made bigger strides than the big boys in boosting their stock.
This year, we saw three prospects steal the spotlight and show that they are probably more athletic than over 80 percent of the SEC conference.
When you have a 6’2 ½ 266 pound defensive end running 4.53 on some clocks, a 6’0 185 pound receiver clocking 4.27, and a 5’10 179 pound ball hawking safety expected to run 4.55 or worse and clock 4.40-4.43, you could safely say that they deservedly stole the show.
Not to mention a Division III QB from Hartwick College, Jason Boltus, ran in the 4.7s and broke the modern day combine record of 26 reps on the bench press to show that he is more athletically gifted than ¾ of the FBS QBs invited.
While we all know the list of combine invites, there are those who were snubbed but will still find a way to get drafted.
Only one small schooler was a projected draft pick entering the season and failed to get a combine invite. That does not bode well for those such as Chris Pizzotti, John Faletoese, Andy Schantz, Cecil Newton, etc. who were.
Now before totally dismissing them I did say that one player overcame the odds and got drafted. It was Villanova tight end Matt Sherry who put on a show at his pro day. For a small schooler to overcome the odds he must heavily impress at all-star games and his pro day to sway the minds of NFL personnel that he is indeed worthy of a draft pick and was underrated throughout the season.
With that in mind here is a look at some small schoolers who could heavily impress at their pro day and overcome those odds.
LB Jason Williams, Western Illinois- Williams had a monster senior season and still got snubbed for a combine invite, leading you to believe that he probably had no shot until his performance at the East-West Shrine game. Williams showed he was one of the better defenders there and really boosted his stock. He could potentially run in the 4.4s or low 4.5s at his pro day to possibly improve his stock even more and land as high as the 5th round.
WR Dobson Collins, Gardner-Webb- Collins probably got snubbed because many teams considered him a PFA early in the year and failed to take another look at the talented senior. His performance against Georgia Tech opened the eyes of many around the league and a 4.4 40 at 6’1 185 pounds at his pro day after an impressive showing at the Texas vs. the Nation game could also help him prove that he should have been a combine invite and hear his named called on draft day.
DE/DT Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa- He was added to the watch list midway through the process and despite draft grades from some around the league, including myself, he did not get an invite to Indy. Most estimated him in the 5.2-5.3 40 range but there are reports he could blister a 4.9-5.0 in the 40 at 6’5 295-300 pounds and thus could go as high as the 6th round.
DT John Faletoese, UC Davis- He stands at 6’2, 285 pounds and is expected to run in the 5.00 40 range. Reports are that he works very hard in the weight room and should impress at his pro day. He likely goes undrafted due to his inconsistency and injury history but should get drafted and if so, would land in the 6th or 7th round.
DT/DE/LB Dan Skuta, Grand Valley State- Skuta stands at 6’2 259 pounds and runs in the 4.6 40 range and shows great athleticism on tape. His performance at the Cactus Bowl combined with an impressive workout at his pro day should land this versatile defender in the late rounds.
FS Colt Anderson, Montana- There are some who believe that Anderson is a 4.7 40 guy and it is likely he runs in the 4.5-4.6 range at his pro day to boost his stock even more after a solid week at the Texas vs. the Nation game. He is one player to keep an eye on in the 7th round that could surprise and go ahead of some bigger names.
WR Dudley Guice, Northwestern State- Guice opened some eyes at the Texas vs. the Nation game with his size, hands, and route running. Don’t be surprised if his physical tools translate to an impressive pro day. He is one to watch when the workout results are turned in who could get a late round look as well.
Here are a few names that have caught the attention of some around the league and in the media who could have a team or two falls in love and draft them late because of their production and how well they could translate to the NFL.
WR John Matthews, San Diego (must run 4.4s)
C Cecil Newton, Tennessee State
DE Pierre Walters, Eastern Illinois
CB Will Middleton, Furman
CB Greg Toler, St. Paul’s
QB Keith Null, West Texas A&M
WR Charly Martin, West Texas A&M (only if he runs 4.5s)
Below is a look at my current draft board and how things are expected to shake out heading into the pro days:
Rank
Pos
First Name
Last Name
School
Ht
Wt
40 Time
Rd. Proj.
1
DE
Lawrence
Sidbury Jr.
Richmond
6023
266
4.53/4.56
2nd-3rd
2
WR
Ramses
Barden
Cal Poly
6060
229
4.57/4.59
3rd
3
QB
Rhett
Bomar
Sam Houston State
6022
225
4.76/4.78
3rd-4th
4
RB
Rashad
Jennings
Liberty
6010
231
4.45/4.58
4th
5
WR
Johnny
Knox
Abilene Christian
5114
185
4.27/4.32
5th
6
DT
Chris
Baker
Hampton
6020
326
5.02/5.03
5th
7
CB
Domonique "DJ"
Johnson
Jackson State
6013
197
4.57/4.58
5th-6th
8
RB
Anthony "Bernard"
Scott
Abilene Christian
5102
200
4.40/4.44
5th-6th
9
OG
Roger
Allen III
Missouri Western
6026
326
5.35/5.39
6th
10
CB
Lardarius
Webb
Nicholls State
5096
179
4.40/4.43
6th
11
CB
Don
Carey
Norfolk State
5112
192
4.51/4.53
6th
12
QB
Jason
Boltus
Hartwick
6026
225
4.78/4.85
6th
13
OG
Cornelius
Lewis
Tennessee State
6034
332
5.21/5.39
6th
14
OLB
Jason
Williams
Western Illinois
6010
241
4.52/4.59
6th-7th
15
RB
Javarris
Williams
Tennessee State
5094
223
4.53/4.57
6th-7th
16
QB
Michael "Mike"
Reilly
Central Washington
6030
214
4.78/4.81
6th-7th
17
DT
Sammie Lee
Hill
Stillman
6037
329
5.07/5.08
6th-7th
18
WR
Dobson
Collins
Gardner-Webb
6007
181
4.47/4.55
7th
19
OT
Joel
Bell
Furman
6066
315
5.08/5.14
7th
20
DE
Everette
Pedescleaux
Northern Iowa
6043
310
4.95/5.05
7th
21
FB
Marcus
Mailei
Weber State
5116
248
4.89/4.93
7th
22
FB
Marquez
Branson
Central Arkansas
6021
247
4.62/4.69
7th
23
TE
Jared
Bronson
Central Washington
6037
253
4.71/4.76
7th
24
WR
Dominique
Edison
Stephen F. Austin
6021
204
4.44/4.45
7th-PFA
25
QB
Nathan
Brown
Central Arkansas
6005
219
4.97/5.01
7th-PFA
26
WR
Quinten
Lawrence
McNeese State
5115
184
4.35/4.40
7th-PFA
27
OT
Kyle
Link
McNeese State
6053
305
5.25/5.30
7th-PFA
28
DT
John
Faletoese
UC Davis
6017
285
5.00/5.05
7th-PFA
29
ILB
Andrew
Schantz
Portland State
6007
235
4.75/4.80
7th-PFA
30
ILB
Lee
Robinson
Alcorn State
6022
249
4.75/4.79
7th-PFA
31
ILB
Daniel
Skuta
Grand Valley State
6022
259
4.71/4.72
7th
Written by Josh Buchanan
Sunday, 01 March 2009 10:21
PRE-PRO DAY SMALL SCHOOL STOCK REPORT: Small Schools Prove Just as Athletic as FBS schools.
Every year the NFL Scouting Combine invites small school prospects but nobody truly expects them to steal the show.
While Connor Barwin of Cincinnati stole the show it is not far fetched so say that the small schoolers made bigger strides than the big boys in boosting their stock.
This year, we saw three prospects steal the spotlight and show that they are probably more athletic than over 80 percent of the SEC conference.
When you have a 6’2 ½ 266 pound defensive end running 4.53 on some clocks, a 6’0 185 pound receiver clocking 4.27, and a 5’10 179 pound ball hawking safety expected to run 4.55 or worse and clock 4.40-4.43, you could safely say that they deservedly stole the show.
Not to mention a Division III QB from Hartwick College, Jason Boltus, ran in the 4.7s and broke the modern day combine record of 26 reps on the bench press to show that he is more athletically gifted than ¾ of the FBS QBs invited.
While we all know the list of combine invites, there are those who were snubbed but will still find a way to get drafted.
Only one small schooler was a projected draft pick entering the season and failed to get a combine invite. That does not bode well for those such as Chris Pizzotti, John Faletoese, Andy Schantz, Cecil Newton, etc. who were.
Now before totally dismissing them I did say that one player overcame the odds and got drafted. It was Villanova tight end Matt Sherry who put on a show at his pro day. For a small schooler to overcome the odds he must heavily impress at all-star games and his pro day to sway the minds of NFL personnel that he is indeed worthy of a draft pick and was underrated throughout the season.
With that in mind here is a look at some small schoolers who could heavily impress at their pro day and overcome those odds.
LB Jason Williams, Western Illinois- Williams had a monster senior season and still got snubbed for a combine invite, leading you to believe that he probably had no shot until his performance at the East-West Shrine game. Williams showed he was one of the better defenders there and really boosted his stock. He could potentially run in the 4.4s or low 4.5s at his pro day to possibly improve his stock even more and land as high as the 5th round.
WR Dobson Collins, Gardner-Webb- Collins probably got snubbed because many teams considered him a PFA early in the year and failed to take another look at the talented senior. His performance against Georgia Tech opened the eyes of many around the league and a 4.4 40 at 6’1 185 pounds at his pro day after an impressive showing at the Texas vs. the Nation game could also help him prove that he should have been a combine invite and hear his named called on draft day.
DE/DT Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa- He was added to the watch list midway through the process and despite draft grades from some around the league, including myself, he did not get an invite to Indy. Most estimated him in the 5.2-5.3 40 range but there are reports he could blister a 4.9-5.0 in the 40 at 6’5 295-300 pounds and thus could go as high as the 6th round.
DT John Faletoese, UC Davis- He stands at 6’2, 285 pounds and is expected to run in the 5.00 40 range. Reports are that he works very hard in the weight room and should impress at his pro day. He likely goes undrafted due to his inconsistency and injury history but should get drafted and if so, would land in the 6th or 7th round.
DT/DE/LB Dan Skuta, Grand Valley State- Skuta stands at 6’2 259 pounds and runs in the 4.6 40 range and shows great athleticism on tape. His performance at the Cactus Bowl combined with an impressive workout at his pro day should land this versatile defender in the late rounds.
FS Colt Anderson, Montana- There are some who believe that Anderson is a 4.7 40 guy and it is likely he runs in the 4.5-4.6 range at his pro day to boost his stock even more after a solid week at the Texas vs. the Nation game. He is one player to keep an eye on in the 7th round that could surprise and go ahead of some bigger names.
WR Dudley Guice, Northwestern State- Guice opened some eyes at the Texas vs. the Nation game with his size, hands, and route running. Don’t be surprised if his physical tools translate to an impressive pro day. He is one to watch when the workout results are turned in who could get a late round look as well.
Here are a few names that have caught the attention of some around the league and in the media who could have a team or two falls in love and draft them late because of their production and how well they could translate to the NFL.
WR John Matthews, San Diego (must run 4.4s)
C Cecil Newton, Tennessee State
DE Pierre Walters, Eastern Illinois
CB Will Middleton, Furman
CB Greg Toler, St. Paul’s
QB Keith Null, West Texas A&M
WR Charly Martin, West Texas A&M (only if he runs 4.5s)
Below is a look at my current draft board and how things are expected to shake out heading into the pro days:
Rank
Pos
First Name
Last Name
School
Ht
Wt
40 Time
Rd. Proj.
1
DE
Lawrence
Sidbury Jr.
Richmond
6023
266
4.53/4.56
2nd-3rd
2
WR
Ramses
Barden
Cal Poly
6060
229
4.57/4.59
3rd
3
QB
Rhett
Bomar
Sam Houston State
6022
225
4.76/4.78
3rd-4th
4
RB
Rashad
Jennings
Liberty
6010
231
4.45/4.58
4th
5
WR
Johnny
Knox
Abilene Christian
5114
185
4.27/4.32
5th
6
DT
Chris
Baker
Hampton
6020
326
5.02/5.03
5th
7
CB
Domonique "DJ"
Johnson
Jackson State
6013
197
4.57/4.58
5th-6th
8
RB
Anthony "Bernard"
Scott
Abilene Christian
5102
200
4.40/4.44
5th-6th
9
OG
Roger
Allen III
Missouri Western
6026
326
5.35/5.39
6th
10
CB
Lardarius
Webb
Nicholls State
5096
179
4.40/4.43
6th
11
CB
Don
Carey
Norfolk State
5112
192
4.51/4.53
6th
12
QB
Jason
Boltus
Hartwick
6026
225
4.78/4.85
6th
13
OG
Cornelius
Lewis
Tennessee State
6034
332
5.21/5.39
6th
14
OLB
Jason
Williams
Western Illinois
6010
241
4.52/4.59
6th-7th
15
RB
Javarris
Williams
Tennessee State
5094
223
4.53/4.57
6th-7th
16
QB
Michael "Mike"
Reilly
Central Washington
6030
214
4.78/4.81
6th-7th
17
DT
Sammie Lee
Hill
Stillman
6037
329
5.07/5.08
6th-7th
18
WR
Dobson
Collins
Gardner-Webb
6007
181
4.47/4.55
7th
19
OT
Joel
Bell
Furman
6066
315
5.08/5.14
7th
20
DE
Everette
Pedescleaux
Northern Iowa
6043
310
4.95/5.05
7th
21
FB
Marcus
Mailei
Weber State
5116
248
4.89/4.93
7th
22
FB
Marquez
Branson
Central Arkansas
6021
247
4.62/4.69
7th
23
TE
Jared
Bronson
Central Washington
6037
253
4.71/4.76
7th
24
WR
Dominique
Edison
Stephen F. Austin
6021
204
4.44/4.45
7th-PFA
25
QB
Nathan
Brown
Central Arkansas
6005
219
4.97/5.01
7th-PFA
26
WR
Quinten
Lawrence
McNeese State
5115
184
4.35/4.40
7th-PFA
27
OT
Kyle
Link
McNeese State
6053
305
5.25/5.30
7th-PFA
28
DT
John
Faletoese
UC Davis
6017
285
5.00/5.05
7th-PFA
29
ILB
Andrew
Schantz
Portland State
6007
235
4.75/4.80
7th-PFA
30
ILB
Lee
Robinson
Alcorn State
6022
249
4.75/4.79
7th-PFA
31
ILB
Daniel
Skuta
Grand Valley State
6022
259
4.71/4.72
7th