Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina Central defensive back Ryan Smith goes through a workout drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
By Dane Brugler, The Sports Xchange
Ohio State, Alabama and Clemson will likely be the three most represented college programs in the 2016 NFL Draft with the Buckeyes possibly setting a few records.
History indicates several prospects in this class from lower level programs outside the FBS will be drafted and earn starting roles at the next level.
The NFL is currently littered with non-FBS alumni who have not only claimed roster spots, but have earned Pro Bowls and are considered some of the best in the league. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas and cornerback Josh Norman are just three of the dozens of non-FBS players around the NFL.
Here is a look at the top-50 non-FBS prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft:
1st round non-FBS prospects:
1. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State (6-5, 237, 4.77)
The likely selection at No. 2 to the Eagles, Wentz has all the physical and mental tools needed to be a long-term starter in the NFL.
2. Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky (6-3, 251, 4.80)
A former Ohio State Buckeye, Spence is the best pure pass rusher in this class, but there are the lingering off-field concerns.
2nd-3rd round non-FBS prospects:
3. Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State (6-1, 309, 4.93)
Balanced big man who can move, Hargrave was nearly unstoppable in the MEAC, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors twice.
4. Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central (5-11, 189, 4.47)
A former safety, Smith moved to cornerback as a junior and shows the lower body fluidity and ballskills that the NFL desires.
5. DeAndre Houston-Carson, FS, William & Mary (6-1, 201, 4.54)
Special teams will be his calling card, but Houston-Carson also has the instincts and versatility to add depth in the secondary.
6. Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana (6-0, 182, 4.57)
Tall, thin-framed athlete who lacks ideal play strength or speed, but plays with light feet to mirror in man coverage.
4th-7th round non-FBS prospects:
7. Dominique Robertson, OT, West Georgia (6-5, 324, 5.36)
A JUCO and Texas Tech transfer, Robertson is very raw, but was blessed with size, length and body control that projects well to the NFL.
8. Matt Judon, DE/OLB, Grand Valley State (6-3, 275, 4.73)
After a productive junior season, Judon took his game to another level as a senior, finishing with 21.0 sacks as Division-II blockers couldn’t keep up.
9. James Cowser, DE, Southern Utah (6-3, 248, 4.72)
A four-year starter, Cowser broke several of Jared Allen’s FCS career records, including 80.5 tackles for loss and 42.5 sacks.
10. Tyrone Holmes, DE, Montana (6-3, 253, 4.62)
The 2015 FCS Defensive Player of the Year, Holmes uses leverage, power and initial burst to fire off the snap and force blockers off-balance.
11. Greg Milhouse, DT, Campbell (6-2, 309, 4.91)
An Appalachian State transfer, Milhouse has cat-like quickness and uses his initial momentum to get blockers moving in reverse.
12. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah (6-2, 217, 4.54)
A linebacker/safety tweener, Killebrew struggles to anticipate, but has the range and mind-set to cover a lot of ground and arrive with purpose.
13. James Bradberry, CB, Samford (6-1, 211, 4.45)
Bradberry is well-versed in press-man with the long arms and physical hands to disrupt the rhythm of receivers off the line of scrimmage.
14. Adam Fuehne, TE, Southern Illinois (6-8, 256, 4.98)
Although stuck behind MyCole Pruitt on the depth chart most of his career, Fuehne emerged as a traditional “Y” NFL prospect in 2015.
15. David Perkins, DE/OLB, Illinois State (6-2, 242, 4.74)
A former Ohio State Buckeye, Perkins is undersized, but rushes with explosive traits, capturing the edge before blockers can react.
16. Beau Sandland, TE, Montana State (6-5, 254, 4.74)
A former JUCO and Miami transfer, Sandland is a smaller version of Kyle Rudolph with his toughness as a receiver and blocker.
17. David Onyemata, DT, Manitoba (6-5, 253, 4.98)
A Nigerian native, Onyemata didn’t play football until he enrolled at Manitoba, but the size and raw athleticism is NFL worthy – how long until pro ready?
18. Deiondre Hall, CB/S, Northern Iowa (6-2, 199, 4.55)
Hall is a tall athlete with rare arm length that makes linemen jealous, but his frenzied feet and streaky instincts make him a project.
19. Myke Tavarres, LB, Incarnate Word (6-1, 230, 4.79)
An Arkansas transfer, Tavarres is a balanced athlete with above average closing burst and twitch to cover a lot of green.
20. LeShaun Sims, CB, Southern Utah (6-1, 203, 4.53)
Although overaggressive at times, Sims checks boxes for size, speed and competitive toughness, which is a great starting point for the position.
21. Joe Haeg, OT, North Dakota State (6-6, 304, 5.16)
With 60 career starts under his belt, Haeg has the starting experience, light frame and coachable attitude for the next level.
22. Victor Ochi, DE, Stony Brook (6-1, 246, 4.86)
Despite his short stature, Ochi has long arms and uses his low center and initial quickness to shoot his limbs as an edge rusher.
23. Paul McRoberts, WR, Southeast Missouri State (6-2, 202)
A big-bodied target, McRoberts does his best work in the red zone and on in-breaking routes, using his snatch-and-secure skills.
24. Marshaun Coprich, RB, Illinois State (5-8, 207, 4.38)
With a school-record 5,195 rushing yards, Coprich has the elusive qualities and determined nature that gives him a chance in the NFL.
25. Cole Toner, OT, Harvard (6-5, 306, 5.21)
A four-year starter, Toner has the movement skills and alert behavior needed for the position, relying on angles over power.
26. Temarrick Hemingway, TE, South Carolina State (6-5, 244, 4.71)
Hemingway is still very raw in areas, but he has intriguing size/speed combo with the long vines to out-rebound the ball.
27. Ben Braunecker, TE, Harvard (6-3, 250, 4.68)
Braunecker makes himself available in his patterns with the focus to find and isolate the football, also showing a mean streak as a blocker.
28. Devaunte Sigler, DT, Jacksonville State (6-4, 298, 5.15)
An Auburn transfer, Sigler has the snap quickness to get upfield quickly and make plays in the backfield, showing quick reflexes to be disruptive.
Priority Free Agents:
29. Anthony Fabiano, OG, Harvard (6-4, 303, 5.01)
30. Marqui Christian, S, Midwestern State (5-11, 193, 4.41)
31. Ugonna Awuruonye, DE, Campbell (6-5, 253, 4.98)
32. Don Cherry, LB, Villanova (6-1, 242, 4.82)
33. Deon King, LB, Norfolk State (6-0, 224, 4.64)
34. Vad Lee, QB, James Madison (6-1, 225)
35. Jamaal Jones, WR, Montana (6-0, 189, 4.63)
36. Josh Woodrum, QB, Liberty (6-3, 231, 4.80)
37. Makinton Dorleant, CB, Northern Iowa (5-11, 182, 4.55)
38. Ed Eagan, WR, Northwestern State (5-11, 192, 4.48)
39. Luke Rhodes, LB, William & Mary (6-2, 239, 4.72)
40. Drew Iddings, DL, South Dakota (6-5, 290, 4.74)
41. Michael Jordan, CB/S, Missouri Western State (6-1, 200, 4.56)
42. Helva Matungulu, DT, Western Carolina (6-5, 294)
43. Justin Zimmer, DL, Ferris State (6-3, 302, 4.91)
44. Torian White, OG, Hampton (6-5, 310, 5.27)
45. Jonathan Woodard, DE, Central Arkansas (6-5, 271, 4.84)
46. Josh Atkinson, CB, Azusa Pacific (5-11, 194, 4.46)
47. C.J. Smith, CB, North Dakota State (5-11, 188, 4.57)
48. Travis Hening, OT, East Central (6-6, 316)
49. Trenton Coles, S, Duquesne (6-3, 192, 4.58)
50. John Robertson, QB, Villanova (6-2, 215, 4.72)
