Much of the talk in the past few months when it comes to talented prospects below the I-A level has revolved around Tennessee St. cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who could be a top-10 pick in three weeks, and Delaware QB Joe Flacco, who is a virtual lock to go in the first two rounds.
But, there are several other small-school prospects who could hear their names called at some point during draft weekend, or if not, will get their chance as an undrafted free agent.
Names like Rodgers-Cromartie, Flacco, San Diego QB Josh Johnson, and Appalachian St. receiver Dexter Jackson are absent from this list, but there are still many more talented names on the board, and we’ll start with the offensive side of the ball.
Ricky Santos, QB, New Hampshire: Santos had a prolific career at UNH, throwing for 13,212 yards and 123 touchdowns, and won the Walter Payton Award in 2005.
Santos is an extremely accurate passer (68.6 career completion %), and he can make plays on the ground (nine rushing touchdowns in 2007). Better yet, he isn’t scared off by the big boys, as he led UNH to wins over Rutgers, Northwestern, and Marshall in his career.
However, at 6′1, 215, Santos doesn’t have the prototypical pro QB size, and his chances of getting drafted may have been hurt by not getting a combine invite, and then not having his best showing at a poorly-attended Pro Day.
Draft Projection: 7th round, if he does get drafted. But, if he doesn’t get drafted, he will be a solid free-agent pickup. His accuracy, decision-making ability, mobility, and resume will give him a fair chance at making a roster as a #3 QB.
Mark Nicolet, QB, Hillsdale: Nicolet tore it up for D-II Hillsdale this past season, setting school records in passing yards (3,335), touchdowns (31), and completions (240), and averaged 303 yards per game through the air.
He was also the Offensive MVP of the Cactus Bowl, the D-II all-star game, throwing for 103 yards and three touchdowns and running for 41 yards on four carries.
Like Santos, he’s not huge, at 6′2, 220, but he is accurate (64.7% completion rate in ‘07), makes few mistakes (only eight interceptions in ‘07), and uses his feet well.
Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri St.: Omon ran for 1,500 yards in each of the last four seasons, and was D-II’s leading rusher in 2007, rushing for 2,337 yards and 37 touchdowns. In his career, he totaled 7,073 yards rushing and 92 touchdowns.
Omon is a physical, hard runner, and with his size (5′11, 228), he could move to fullback on the next level, though given that he’s carried the ball 1,270 times in the last four seasons, he might not like having the ball in his hands less.
He didn’t have as good of a combine as he may have liked, and didn’t break 4.5 at the combine or at his Pro Day. However, with times of 4.29 and 6.71 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill at his Pro Day, he showed his agility.
Draft Prediction: 6th or 7th round, at best.
Chad Simpson, RB, Morgan St.: The speedy Simpson, a South Florida transfer, broke out as a senior, running for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns on the way to being named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year and an FCS All-American.
At the combine, Simpson ran a 4.42 40, which no doubt raised at least a few eyes.
He’s a little small, but he does have good bulk, and with his speed, could be an asset on special teams.
Draft Prediction: 6th or 7th round. His lack of experience hurts him, but that speed could land him a spot in the last couple of rounds.
Danny Woodhead, RB, Chadron State: Woodhead finished a stellar career with NCAA records in single-season rushing yards (2,756 yards) and career yards (7,962).
Despite his decorated career, which included consecutive Harlon Hill Trophy (D-II MVP) wins in 2006 and 2007, Woodhead wasn’t invited to the combine. But, he took advantage of Nebraska’s Pro Day to endear himself to scouts, running sub 4.4 times in the 40, recording a 38-inch vertical, and showing his strength by doing 20 reps in the bench press.
His size of 5′8, 197 pounds will be a big red flag to some, but some team will give him a chance, may it be as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent. He has the speed to contribute in the backfield and especially in the return game, and don’t write off his ability to be able to hold his own in the NFL.
Draft Projection: 6th or 7th round, at best.
Pierre Garcon, WR, Mount Union: When you average 60+ catches, 1,095 yards, and 15 touchdowns, you’ve got at least a little talent, and that’s what Garcon did in his four-year career (one year at Norwich University in Vermont, three at Mount Union)
In those four seasons, Garcon caught 246 passes for 4,380 yards (17.8 yards per catch) and 60 touchdowns, dominating Division III competition.
But, Garcon has taken advantage of the pre-draft period to show that he has great potential. In the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game, Garcon returned a punt 62 yards for a score, and then at the combine in February, he more than held his own, posting great numbers in the 40 (4.42), 20-yard shuttle (4.19), 3-cone drill (6.90), vertical (36 1/2 inches), and broad jump (10 feet, 5 inches). He also showed off good strength by posting 20 reps in the bench press.
Naturally, the level of competition that he played against will make a difference, but he’ll be taken in the last few rounds by a team looking to beef up their return game and add depth at receiver.
Draft Projection: Fifth or sixth round.
Arman Shields, WR, Richmond: Shields missed most of his senior season due to a knee injury, but the speedster earned an invite to the combine and showed that he deserved it, and that his knee is just fine. Shields was one of the top receivers in Indianapolis, showing his great speed and quickness with times of 4.44 in the 40, 3.96 in the 20-yard shuttle, and 6.67 in the 3-cone drill. He also showed off his leaping ability with a 37 1/2 inch vertical, and a 10 foot, 8 inch broad jump.
The knee might be a concern to some, but by showing that his speed hasn’t gone anywhere, Shields is going to be coveted in the middle rounds of the draft, and could very well land in the latter part of the third.
Draft Projection: Third to fifth round.
Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina: Simpson was extremely productive as a Chanticleer, with more than a fourth of his receptions going for touchdowns (44 of 161).
He’s a terrific athlete, and showed that at the combine and at CCU’s Pro Day. He showed more than adequate speed with 40s in the low 4.4s (4.42 at the combine), had vertical jumps of 40 and 41 1/2 inches at his Pro Day, and a broad jump of 11 feet, 4 inches at the combine.
With his mix of physical tools (6′2, 200 pounds, big hands, long arms), athleticism, great hands, and highlight-reel ability, Simpson is an extremely intriguing prospect, and could be in someone’s starting lineup in the next few seasons.
Draft Projection: Second or third round. He could be a great value pick in the second round for a team looking for an athletic receiver, and shouldn’t last past the third round.
Chad Rinehart, T, Northern Iowa: Rinehart, a two-time All-American (first team in 2007, second team in 2006) and three-time All-Gateway Conference first-teamer, was a star left tackle throughout his career, but projects as a guard in the NFL.
Draft Projection: Fourth or fifth round.
Brandon Keith, T, Northern Iowa: Keith was a highly-rated prep prospect out of Oklahoma, but took the JC route and went to Oklahoma in 2005 before ending up at Northern Iowa.
At 6′5, 343, Keith is a load to handle, but he is extremely quick for his size, as he ran a 4.98 40 at UNI’s Pro Day, and before that. Combined with that quickness, and with his ability to play either guard or tackle in the NFL, and an impressive performance at the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game, Keith might have pushed his stock past Rinehart’s.
But, by getting arrested for fighting last month, Keith might have hurt himself greatly, and instead of potentially being as high as a fourth-round pick, might have knocked himself back into the last few rounds.
Draft Projection: Fifth round. If his recent off-field transgressions can be looked past, he could still go in the first four rounds, but he could just as easily fall into the sixth, not only because of that, but because of his relative lack of experience. However, that size, quickness, and versatility will ensure that he doesn’t drop too far.
To check out the top small-school prospects on the defensive side of the ball, click here for the rundown of those guys and where we think they could wind up going.
