10 Small School Sleeper NFL Draft Prospects

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Jonathan Taylor | April 10th, 2011 | with 0 Comments
Tags: Benjamin Ijalana, NFL Draft, Pat Devlin
10 Small School Sleeper NFL Draft Prospects (Offense)
10 Small School Sleeper NFL Draft Prospects – Offense
Often overlooked due to limited exposure, small school prospects often can provide a huge impact to the NFL team that drafts them. In the past, small schools have provided the NFL with some of its most electrifying players, including current NFL players Antonio Gates, James Harrison and Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.
Listed are ten offensive players who are looking to earn the respect of current NFL players as well as hoping to forge out their own Hall of Fame careers.
1. Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware
Height: 6’ 3”, Weight: 225 lbs
Possible Destinations: Patriots, Colts, Eagles or Jaguars.
Devlin transferred to Delaware out of Penn State in 2009. Since then he has shown great accuracy on the field finishing his 2010 season with a completion percentage of 68%. He has showed that he is learning to look after the football better in 2010, throwing only 3 interceptions to 22 touchdowns after recording 9 interceptions and throwing only 16 touchdowns in 2009. Devlin has operated mainly out of the shotgun during his time at Delaware, but has taken some snaps from under center. On film Devlin looks to have very solid footwork and puts great touch on his throws, however he also displays a very inconsistent spiral which can affect the accuracy and velocity of some of his throws.
Overall Devlin projects to be a very good investment for a team to nurture at quarterback. Given the time and opportunities Devlin could develop into a good calibre starting quarterback similar to fellow Delaware alumni Joe Flacco. Devlin will probably be selected in the third or fourth round by a team with an aging starting quarterback.
2. Josh Portis, QB, California, (PA)
Height: 6‘ 3“, Weight: 211 lbs
Possible Destinations: Bengals, Eagles, Vikings or Titans.
Portis was relatively unheard of until the NFL Scouting Combine, however during the quarterback drills he did show the best accuracy of any of the quarterbacks. This may have put him on several teams draft boards. Portis possesses a rocket arm which would allow him to make any of the NFL throws required and some very nimble feet allowing him to escape the pocket and pick up first downs on the ground.
The negatives are that Portis has some serious red flags over his character. He has transferred twice during his collegiate career leading to questions about whether he can handle competition. In 2007 whilst at Maryland he was suspended for a year for cheating on a test and in 2010 he was charged with theft, receiving stolen property and fraud. Despite these issues Portis has been too productive at California PA (69 TDs to 16 Ints in 2 years) to not be given a chance. A team that are not too afraid of character concerns will allow him to sit as a third string or practice squad player. If he can mature and concentrate on football then he possesses the talent to become a star. Likely a 7th rounder or priority free agent.
3. Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington
Height: 6‘ 0“, Weight: 194 lbs
Possible Destinations: Colts, Saints, Bengals, Panthers or Giants.
Taiwan Jones is one of the players on this list who was not offered a scholarship to a big school, he originally came to Eastern Washington to play cornerback, but was converted in 2009 back to his original running back position. Since then Jones has ran for 2955 yards and an enormous 29 touchdowns at an average of 7.7 yards per carry- which is unbelievable. Jones has gathered many of these yards due to his blistering pace which has allowed him to cruise past defenders many times on film. Although Jones isn’t all about speed, he has demonstrated an ability to break tackles many times on film, including in one game against Sacramento State in 2010 where he broke 8 tackles to take the ball 77 yards for a touchdown. Jones should be very productive from his first season in the league and could become a star running back for the team that drafts him. Jones could sneak into the bottom of the second round, but will more than likely be taken during the third round.
4. Dwayne Harris, WR, East Carolina
Height: 5‘ 10“, Weight: 203 lbs
Possible Destinations: Browns, Colts, Redskins, Rams or Cardinals.
Perfect in the slot Harris can have an impact for a team right away using his unique mixture of speed and the willingness to fight for every yard he can get, even if he is wrapped up by a defender. Harris was a quarterback coming out of high school who made the switch to wide receiver at college he received offers from several big name schools including North Carolina and Southern Mississippi. Instead Harris chose East Carolina where he has crafted out a solid collegiate career which ended with him getting 1123 yards and 10 touchdowns in the 2010 season. Harris can also return kicks and punts which will boost his draft value in the eyes of some NFL franchises. Harris will probably find himself drafted in the third or fourth rounds.
5. Cecil Shorts III, WR, Mount Union
Height: 6‘ 0“, Weight: 205 lbs
Possible Destinations: Browns, Colts, Redskins, Rams or Cardinals.
Cecil Shorts III is another wide receiver who should be effective for the team who drafts him next season. Shorts will probably line up in the slot where he will be able to utilise his elite speed and his very consistent hands. Shorts can run all of the NFL routes, however he could benefit from getting more polished running his routes. Shorts can help on special teams by returning punts and kicks and should find himself being drafted in the fifth round.
6. Julius Thomas, TE, Portland State
Height: 6‘ 5“, Weight: 246 lbs
Possible Destinations: Cardinals, Browns, Falcons or Seahawks.
Julius Thomas is another prospect whose draft stock has taken a huge bump from the NFL Scouting Combine. At the Combine Thomas showed his great hands by catching most of the balls that were thrown his way. Most amazingly Thomas has only played one year of high school football and his senior season at Portland State, yet he looks like he has been playing tight end for years. Several teams around the league will see Julius Thomas as a project, but with upside to match Antonio Gates if he can fulfil his potential. Thomas is projected to go in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
7. Benjamin Ijalana, OT/G, Villanova
Height: 6‘ 4“, Weight: 317 lbs
Possible Destinations: Packers, Cardinals, Ravens, Steelers or Bills.
Ben Ijalana is one of the most versatile players in the 2011 NFL Draft. He can play at any of the tackle or guard positions and should be able to play all but left tackle from Day 1. Ijalana looked like a man amongst boys in D1-AA, showing dominance over the defensive end from the left tackle position. Most teams will have Ijalana high on their draft boards due to his ability to play anywhere along the offensive line. Ben Ijalana may be selected at the end of the first round of the draft and will be gone by the middle of the second round.
8. Jah Reid, OT, Central Florida
Height: 6‘ 7“,aviator ray ban, Weight: 327 lbs
Possible Destinations: Bears, Patriots, Colts or Ravens.
Reid is a prospect who will have to sit and learn the game for a few years taking only limited snaps. He does possess a lot of potential which could allow him to become a starting right tackle in two or three years time. Reid is very tall at 6’ 7” and has a frame that will allow him to put on more weight than the 327 pounds that he already carries. He has experience of starting, but has shown fundamental flaws that an offensive line coach will want to remove from his game before using him as a starter. The developmental prospect should be taken during the fifth or sixth rounds.
9. Will Rackley, OG, Lehigh
Height: 6‘ 3“, Weight: 309 lbs
Possible Destinations: Eagles, Steelers, Jets or Cardinals.
Will Rackley started for Lehigh during his freshman season since then he has played in all of their games. Despite playing at offensive tackle for Lehigh, Rackley will most likely have to move inside to guard at the pro level due to only being 6’ 3” tall. Rackley is of a good enough level to start immediately at either guard position and with experience he could learn to become one of the better offensive guards in the league. Rackley will probably be taken during the third round.
10. Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock
Height: 6‘ 4“, Weight: 316 lbs
Possible Destinations:
Fusco has great size for the center position. When recruited back in 2006 he was an offensive tackle, but moved to center after his redshirt freshman year in 2007, since then Fusco has played in every game for Slippery Rock. Fusco also has good athleticism for his size, however he sometimes shows signs of being dominated by opposing defensive linemen. Fusco should be a solid yet unspectacular starter in the NFL and will most likely be drafted in the sixth round.
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