Just because they aren’t the elite schools doesn’t mean the non-BCS conferences don’t get scraps when it comes to talent.

Leodis McKelvin and Chris Johnson were first-round picks in the recent NFL Draft, and there are several future high draft picks in the non-BCS ranks this year.

Some of these guys you will likely see on some All-American teams both before and after the 2008 season, and a few will go on to be high draft picks over the next couple of years.

So, if you know these names already, you’re probably not surprised. And if you don’t know these names, then start remembering them!

So, without further ado, here’s the best of the best in the non-BCS conferences.

Note: Notre Dame, due to their BCS tie-ins, is excluded, but the other independents are eligible.

QB: Dan LeFevour, Jr., Central Michigan

The MAC has made a habit of producing NFL-caliber quarterbacks in recent years, and LeFevour and Ball State’s Nate Davis are following in that line. While Tim Tebow was dominating SEC competition with his arm and legs, LeFevour was doing the same in the MAC, throwing for 3,652 yards and 27 touchdowns, and running for 1,122 yards and 19 touchdowns.

LeFevour has thrown for at least 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of his first two seasons at Central Michigan, compiling 6,683 yards and 53 touchdowns through the air, and 1,643 yards and 26 touchdowns rushing.

RB: Damion Fletcher, Jr., Southern Miss

Fletcher has been a big hit in his first two seasons in Hattiesburg, running for 2,974 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Golden Eagles. Last season, he ran for 1,586 yards and 15 touchdowns on the way to winning the Conerly Trophy, which is given to the top player in the state of Mississippi.

RB: Harvey Unga, So., BYU

After suffering a season-ending injury in the second game of the 2006 season, Unga took advantage of his second shot at a freshman season by having a Freshman All-American season, running for 1,227 yards and 13 touchdowns, and catching 44 passes for 655 yards and four touchdowns for the 11-2 Cougars.

WR: Jarett Dillard, Sr., Rice

Dillard broke onto the national map in his sophomore season, catching 91 passes for 1,241 yards and 21 touchdowns in helping the Owls reach their first bowl since 1961, and was named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and an All-American. His numbers dipped to 79-1,057-14 last season as Rice slumped to a 3-9 season, but that was still good enough to be a first-team All-Conference USA selection.

WR: Brennan Marion, Sr., Tulsa

Marion made an instant impact in Tulsa’s wide-open offense and established himself as one of the nation’s top big-play receivers, catching 39 passes for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns, as one of three 1,000-yard targets for 5,000-yard passer Paul Smith.

TE: Darius Hill, Sr., Ball St.

Hill goes into his senior season as one of the nation’s top tight ends. He was a Mackey Award semifinalist last season after catching 65 passes for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Cardinals.

OL: Dallas Reynolds, Sr., BYU

Reynolds has started 38 straight games for the Cougars at tackle, and going into his senior season, the 6′5, 330 pounder has established himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the country. He was named a Freshman All-American in 2005 and a was a first-team All-Mountain West selection last season.

OL: Andrew Hartline, Sr., Central Michigan

Like Reynolds, Hartline has been a starter since his freshman season, having started in all 39 of the Chippewas’ 39 games over the last three seasons. After being a freshman All-American in 2005, he’s been a second-team All-MAC selection in each of the last two seasons. After starting at right tackle in his first two seasons, he replaced first-round pick Joe Staley at left tackle, so that versatility will be well-appreciated by NFL teams.

OL: John Estes, Jr., Hawaii

Estes started at right guard as a freshman, but moved to center last season, and was a first-team All-WAC selection for the WAC champions and BCS busters.

OL: Dominic Green, Sr., Nevada

Green has played all across the line during his career at Nevada, starting at right guard and center as a redshirt freshman, at tackle as a sophomore, and at center again as a junior. He was a second-team All-WAC selection at tackle as a sophomore, and after moving back to center last season, was a first-team selection.

OL: Matt Mandich, Sr., Arkansas St.

Mandich has been an All-Sun Belt selection in each of the last three seasons, earning second-team honors in 2005 and 2006, and first-team honors in 2007.

Kicker: Louie Sakoda, Sr., Utah

Sakoda makes the list because he excels at kicker and punter for the Utes. He’s made 35 of 42 field goals and 81 of 83 extra points in the last two seasons. Last season, he connected on 19 of 22 field goal attempts, and was 10 of 13 from 40 yards or more. As a punter, he’s averaged more than 44 yards per punt the last two seasons, and has put 43% (80 of 186) of his punts inside the 20 in three seasons as a punter.

All-Purpose: A.J. Jefferson, Jr., Fresno St.

Jefferson, a starting cornerback for the Bulldogs, is arguably the nation’s most dangerous return man. Last season, he led the nation in yards per kick return, averaging 35.8 yards per return (26 returns for 930 yards), and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.

Be on the lookout for the defensive side of the ball tomorrow.

Related posts on The Red Zone Report

• Which non-BCS teams could crash the BCS party in 2008? (1)
• 2008 MAC West Preview: Three-peat for CMU, or will there be a new champ? (0)
• 2008 MAC Preview Part I: Can Chippewas three-peat in crowded conference? (0)
• Tebow tops list of the country’s top 20 dual-threat quarterbacks (10)
• LeFevour, Davis set to be next in line of highly-drafted MAC quarterbacks (0)