Small-school stars coming to field near you

by Peter Schrager

Updated: March 27, 2008, 5:31 PM EST 47 comments

And for a couple spring weekends, it's perhaps permissible to think of something other than 40 times and Wonderlic scores. But the NCAA tournament and the NFL draft actually have a lot more in common than you may think — college seniors embracing their coaches one last time; last-second, make-or-break decisions with the clock winding down; TV analysts caked up in makeup with too much hair product on their heads. Really, the NCAA tournament and the NFL draft are really one in the same.

 

Want to know about the next generation of NFL stars? We've got you covered as the clock ticks down toward the 2008 draft.

More than anything, though, March Madness and the NFL draft are linked by the way they each bring relatively small schools to national prominence. Just as Stephen Curry can make Davidson the central topic of dinner conversation in Washington, D.C., on a Sunday night, Tyrell Johnson can force Arkansas State into casual Monday morning water-cooler chats in offices from New York City to Seattle throughout April.

Whether it's Chargers '05 second-round selection Vincent Jackson giving Northern Colorado its moment in the sun, Steve McNair and Donald Driver representing Alcorn State or Super Bowl champion and Southern Illinois alumnus Brandon Jacobs forcing Giants fans to ask what the heck a Saluki is, the NFL draft — like the NCAA tourney — serves as a great platform for some lesser known American higher-education institutions.

Leave the Princeton Review Guide to Colleges on a shelf at Barnes and Noble. Save yourself the $8. Just tune into the tournament and the NFL draft. You'll become familiar with several of our great nation's less-publicized schools.

In the spirit of March Madness, here's a "Sweet 15" of small-school prospects to watch for come April 26-27. Get to know them now. Those NFL draft water-cooler chats are just around the corner.

1. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy: To be certain, McKelvin won't be the NFL player to really put Troy on the map. The Alabama school actually has become quite a little NFL defensive factory, having already churned out 2007 Pro Bowlers DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora. That said, McKelvin could be the most dynamic player in the entire '08 draft. A lock-down corner perhaps better known for his punt- and kick-returning skills, look for him to be an impact player in his first year in the pros. He could go as early as No. 7 to the Patriots on draft day.
Draft Projection: Top 15

2. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State: Let's get some lingering questions out of the way. First, yes, he is related to 2007 All-Pro cornerback Antonio Cromartie. They're cousins. Second, yes, he has what it takes to be an All-Pro himself. The kid's fantastic. Rodgers-Cromartie has had an incredible few months, winning defensive MVP honors at the Senior Bowl and then scorching the turf in Indy at the combine with a lightning-fast 4.34 40-yard dash. On top of a dominant season at corner, Cromartie also blocked four kicks and returned 33 kickoffs in '07 for Tennessee State. Like McKelvin, he can do it all. He'll put Tennessee State on the map in April, when he's one of the top corners selected in the first round.
Draft Projection: 1st Round

3. Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina: Jeff Blake and David Garrard may have already put East Carolina's football program on the map, but Johnson could give the school even more name recognition in '08. Blessed with 4.24 40-yard-dash speed and bolstered by a nation-leading 227.6 yards per game from scrimmage, the Pirates star could be a multi-purpose threat at the next level. If you caught him gashing 2007 Fiesta Bowl winning Boise State defense for 223 yards on the ground in this year's Hawaii Bowl, you have an idea of what he's capable of.
Draft Projection: Top 50

4. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware: A 6-foot-7 beast with a cannon arm, Flacco's draft stock has been rising on everyone's board since the combine. Having sat on the bench behind Tyler Palko for two years at Pitt, Flacco transferred to Delaware and took the ECAC by storm. After a strong junior season, Flacco tossed for over 4,000 yards in 2007. No doubt, the kid can toss a football. Five weeks away from draft day, he's the chic pick at quarterback.
Draft Projection: Top 50

5. Tyrell Johnson, Safety, Arkansas State: In what's being viewed as a relatively weak draft for safeties, Tyrell Johnson may very well hear his name announced as early as the second round in April's draft. The 2007 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, Johnson's a do-everything defensive back who seems to be in on every play. Watching tape of the guy, it's hard to pinpoint what exactly his weaknesses are. He's really everywhere on the field. Johnson had six interceptions and 94 tackles in '07. Though you've likely never heard of him, he can start for an NFL team at safety as early as next season.
Draft Projection: Late 2nd/Early 3rd Round

6. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego: Not to be confused with Josh Jackson of "Mighty Ducks" and "Dawson's Creek" fame, Josh Johnson is an intriguing quarterback prospect with aspirations for the NFL, not Katie Holmes' heart. Most of America got a sniff of San Diego athletics with Friday's upset victory on the hardwood over UConn. They'll hear a bit about the Toreros football program when Johnson gets drafted in April. The 6-foot-3 signal caller led the nation (Division I-AA) in passing efficiency and total offense in 2007, and was the Offensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Game back in January.
Draft Projection: Mid-3rd/Early 4th Round

7. Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton: You may already be familiar with Hampton athletics. Jacksonville Jaguars stud Justin Durant, the 48th overall pick in the 2007, is a Hampton product. It's also the school that, as a 15 seed in 2001, knocked off Jamaal Tinsley and the No. 2 seed Iowa State Cyclones in the NCAA tournament. Kendall Langford will be the next name you'll align with the school. As a sophomore and junior, Langford led the Pirates in sacks. As a senior in 2007, the 6-foot-6 defensive end was double teamed consistently but still managed to rank second on the team in tackles with 72. He should be a first-day selection.
Draft Projection: Third or Fourth Round

Off-season Roundup

News

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Free-Agent Analysis

• Czar: Alexander doesn't fit in Seattle
• Marvez: Free agency in rewind
• Kriegel: Moss made the easy decision
• Marvez: Steelers must protect Big Ben

Player Movement

• AFC: East | South | North | West
• NFC: East | South | North | West
• Scout.com: Free Agency Tracker

NFL Draft

• Schrager: Who will be the No. 1 pick?
• Marvez: Dorsey on the defensive
• Scout.com: First-round mock draft
• Player diary: Quarterback Matt Ryan
• Scout.com: Sizing up Cal WR Jackson
• Scout Combine Blog: Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Video

• NFL Draft Video Central

8. Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina: The biggest prospect to ever come out of Coastal Carolina, Simpson is another wildcard in April's draft. He holds just about every one of his school's receiving records and is the owner of the Big South Conference career record for receiving with 2,430 yards. In his junior campaign, he hauled in 16 touchdown passes, too. The guy can jump through the roof. We're talking Dwight Howard-like hops. Simpson finished third at the NCAA track and field East Regionals in the long jump, and also holds the school record for the high jump (6'8¾"). At the combine in February, he showed off a 38-inch vertical jump and an astounding 11'04" broad jump. Toss it up to Simpson. The 6-foot-2 stud will go and get it.
Draft Projection: 4th Round

9. Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State: I'd like to think that if you're reading this article, you've at least heard of Appalachian State. The Mountaineers pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college football history, beating Michigan in the Big House last fall. Jackson's the squad's top NFL prospect. A burner with a 4.33 40 time, he'll most likely be featured more as a kick returner at the next level than as a first or second option at wideout. Jackson's only 5-foot-10, but the kid can burn. And he's got a Sports Illustrated cover under his belt. Few others in this draft can say the same.
Draft Projection: Late 4th/Early 5th Round

10. Antwaun Molden, CB, Eastern Kentucky: Eastern Kentucky's claim to fame? Lee Majors, aka The Six Million Dollar Man. So did Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell and former Giants and Colts star Chad Bratzke. Add Mr. Molden to the list of notable alumni. A 4.39 40-yard-dash guy at the combine, Molden's seen his stock rise since the end of a rather average 2007 season. Over his entire career at EKU, he only started 12 of 33 games, but the scouts are high on him. A transfer from Toledo, he's going to be a third or fourth cornerback kind of player who will star in the special teams game as a gunner. Likely not a first-day selection. Likely not a $6 million man, either.
Draft Projection: 5th Round

11. Brian Johnston, DE/LB, Gardner-Webb: Gardner-Webb's hoops team beat Kentucky at Rupp Arena earlier this year but fell short of an NCAA Tournament berth. Its football squad was anchored by 6-foot-5 All-Big South Conference selection Brian Johnston. He'll likely play LB at the next level, but could potentially serve as an undersized defensive end, too. In four stellar years at Gardner-Webb, he started 40 games and recorded 21 sacks. Johnson's a relentless worker. He'll be a second-day draft selection who'll likely get minutes for some team next year.
Draft Projection: 5th Round

12. Chad Rinehart, OT, Northern Iowa: A captain as a senior for Northern Iowa in '07, Rinehart helped lead the Panthers to an 11-0 record. Rinehart's been a draft prospect for years, having started since early in his freshman season. He's a consensus All-American first teamer who started 37 of 40 collegiate games. He may end up playing guard at the next level, but either way, he should hear his name called on the second day of April's draft.
Draft Projection: 5th Round

13. Brandon Keith, OT, Northern Iowa: Oh, you thought there was only one offensive line draft prospect out of Northern Iowa this year? Wrong, my friends. Keith's as much of a college journeyman as you'll ever find. He makes Randy Moss' college story seem sedentary. The kid transferred from Northeast Oklahoma A&M (yep, that's a school) to Oklahoma in '05, and then left the Sooners, signing on with Northern Iowa for the '06 and '07 seasons. Mixed into those four years were academic issues, injuries, and a few times quitting teams. He spent a lot of time off the field in '06 with injuries to his right knee, but started 11 games at right tackle in 2007. No doubt, he was a college football nomad. He hopes to find a home in the NFL. Though likely viewed as a risky pick by some, he'll hear his name called on the draft's second day — perhaps even before his teammate, Rinehart.
Draft Projection: Late 6th/Early 7th Round

14. Curtis Johnson, LB, Clark-Atlanta: A first team All Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association performer, Johnson started every game in 2007, setting a school record with 13.5 sacks. Though you likely have never heard of him, the kid's a beast. At 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Johnson's probably a linebacker at the next level, despite playing most of his college career at defensive end. He was the first Clark-Atlanta player ever to be invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game, and has been working with former Falcons star Chuck Smith leading up to draft day. Though I hate using this term, he has "limitless potential."
Draft Projection: Late 6th/Early 7th Round

15. Brandon Carr, CB, Grand Valley State: Carr's one of the draft's true unknowns. A lightning-fast cornerback with outstanding kick-return skills, a team in need of a playmaker may take a waiver on the kid in the seventh round. The winner of the Great Lakes Conference Defensive Back of the Year award in '07 (I know, that's not exactly the Heisman), he's one of those under-the-radar defensive backs who could end up having a 10-year career at the next level. Or ... he won't get drafted and you'll never hear from him again. For Carr's sake, let's hope for the former.
Draft Projection: 7th Round

Peter, You're an Idiot...

This week's best email comes from Brian, a Rochester, Minn. native.

Peter,
You're an idiot for not putting Hawaii's Davone Bess on your list of top receivers in this year's draft. Maybe it's because you were too sleepy to stay up for his games. Maybe it was because you hate any team you're scared of. Maybe — and this is what I think is really true — you're just stupid. But Davone has to be one of the top 5 wideouts in the draft, if not the best one of all. Get a clue.
Brian,
Rochester, Minn.

Brian,
Thanks for the kind words. No better way to start a day than reading emails like that. As for Mr. Bess, don't get me wrong, the guy had a great college career. A two-time All-WAC selection, I won't deny that he was one of the very best receivers in NCAA football last season. His 96 receptions and 15 touchdowns in '07 are legitimate eye-opening stats — nothing to scoff at. Yet, despite fantastic hands and all that production, his speed is a major issue for NFL scouts. Bess clocked in at the combine with a few 4.7 40 times, and for a guy who's only 5-foot-9, his NFL game would really have to be built on quickness. He's got a great pair of hands, though, and can certainly find a place on an NFL roster. Whether it's through being a late-round draft selection or an undrafted free agent, I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Prospect Profile:

Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri:

Though several mock drafts on the Internet don't even have Rucker listed as a first-day pick, I'm pretty high on the kid. A first-team All American and a unanimous All-Big 12 selection in '07, Rucker was one of two Missouri tight ends that helped lead the Tigers to a breakout year and an eventual Cotton Bowl win. He set the school record with 84 receptions and snagged eight touchdowns in Gary Pinkel's spread offense, started all 50 of his games at Mizzou, and was Heisman candidate Chase Daniel's favorite target in '07.

He didn't work out at the combine because of a hamstring injury suffered at the Senior Bowl in January, and didn't dazzle at his Pro Day on March 21. Rucker's one of those guys, though, that might not wow you with 40 speeds or agility tests. He's a gamer, and at 6-foot-5, he'll be a can't-miss target across the middle for any quarterback at the next level. Most draft experts have him as a second-day pick. I think he's a mid-to-late third-round selection. Two teams that might be interested? The passing-deficient Bills with the 72nd overall pick and the equally woeful passing Vikings at No. 82.

Schrager's First Round (As of 3/23/2008)

1. Miami Dolphins: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Jake Long, OL, Michigan
6. New York Jets: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
7. New England Patriots: Leodis McKelvin, Troy
8. Baltimore Ravens: Ryan Clady, OL, Boise State
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
10. New Orleans Saints: Keith Rivers, LB, USC
11. Buffalo Bills: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
12. Denver Broncos: Chris Williams, OL, Vanderbilt
13. Carolina Panthers: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
14. Chicago Bears: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
15. Detroit Lions: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
16. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
17. Minnesota Vikings: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
18. Houston Texans: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Hardy, WR, Indiana
21. Washington Redskins: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
22. Dallas Cowboys: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jeff Otah, OL, Pittsburgh
24. Tennessee Titans: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
25. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
27. San Diego Chargers: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
28. Dallas Cowboys: Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
29. San Francisco 49ers: DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
30. Green Bay Packers: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
31. New England Patriots: Pick Forfeited
32. New York Giants: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee