Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects

Where an NFL prospect attended school isn't important. An individual's skill set, attitude and work ethic are far more critical in the evaluation process than his previous situation.  

Some of the greatest players in league history didn't come from powerhouse programs. 

The game's all-time leading receiver, Jerry Rice, became a first-round pick after breaking records at Mississippi Valley State. Cornerback Darrell Green played 20 seasons in the NFL after coming out of Texas A&M-Kingsville. The New England Patriots' Malcolm Butler is a Super Bowl legend even though he went undrafted out of Division II West Alabama. 

If a person is talented enough to play in the NFL, scouts will find him. In 2017, 20 draftees came from non-FBS programs. 

Many of this year's top small-school performers have been on display over the past two weeks at the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl. Each dominated at their respective level before going up against superior competition, and most opened eyes by still making plays and refusing to be overwhelmed. 

None of the following prospects participated at the highest collegiate level, but all of them have a chance of being drafted. 

QB Kyle Lauletta, Richmond

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Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield, Louisville's Lamar Jackson, UCLA's Josh Rosen, USC's Sam Darnold and Wyoming's Josh Allen dominate the conversation as the top available prospects. However, starting-caliber quarterbacks don't always come from the NFL draft's opening frame. 

For example, the two starting signal-callers for Super Bowl LII, Nick Foles and Tom Brady, came from the third and sixth rounds, respectively. And the biggest trade of the 2017 season involved former second-round quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Richmond's Kyle Lauletta is up there with Mayfield and Allen as the top prospects at the Senior Bowl. The reason is simple: His skill set translates to the next level. Lauletta stands 6'2.5" and weighs 217 pounds. Not only does he have the frame teams want, but he also displays a strong arm with a quick release. 

Lauletta left Richmond as the school's all-time leader with 10,465 passing yards, 73 passing touchdowns and 10,651 yards of total offense. He also improved with a 64.9 completion percentage as a senior. 

"I'd say if you look at quarterbacks who have been successful over the long haul, accuracy is the most important attribute, and I think I've shown that my accuracy is elite," Lauletta said, per Pro Football Weekly's Eric Edholm. "Anytime you can put the ball where you want it to be, I think you have a chance at the next level. First and foremost, I do think that is my best attribute, quarterback skill-wise."

Plus, the 2017 CAA Offensive Player of the Year double-majored with leadership as a primary focus. The Spiders captain may not have much tape against top programs, but he does have all of the tools teams prefer in a quarterback prospect. 

FB Marcus Martin, Slippery Rock

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A player's value increases based on how much he can do on the field. Slippery Rock's Marcus Martin is easily one of the most versatile prospects available among this year's draft class. He's the most productive pass-rusher to ever step onto a football field, yet he's likely to be a professional fullback. Basically, he's Bill Belichick's dream prospect. 

The collegiate defensive end is college football's all-time leading sack artist at any level, amassing a whopping 56 sacks to go with 92.5 tackles for loss. Clearly, he has a knack for getting to the quarterback because he plays with good leverage, uses a wide variety of pass-rush moves and displays a level of tenacity needed to finish plays. 

However, NFL teams look at players and box them into certain positions based on body type. It's not the most scientific way to evaluate talent, but it's still part of the process. 

Martin measured 6'1" and 250 pounds with 31.5-inch arms at the East-West Shrine Game, per Sporting News' Eric Galko. As a result, he became a fullback in the eyes of many. To Martin's credit, he had no problem serving as a lead blocker and even caught a touchdown pass during the all-star game. 

The four-time PSAC Player of the Year (one Freshman of the Year nod and three Defensive Player of the Year awards) will be given a chance to play both sides of the ball for a professional team. If his lack of length and average athleticism don't allow him to rush the passer in certain sub-packages, he always has a home on the offensive side of the ball.

WR Daurice Fountain, Northern Iowa

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Senior Northern Iowa wide receiver Daurice Fountain is counted among the best not present at the Senior Bowl. 

The 6'2", 210-pound target established himself as an early-round possibility during his week in St. Petersburg, Florida, by winning the 2018 William H. Coffman Award for Most Outstanding Offensive Player. There have been plenty of standouts to win the award and not succeed in the pros. How he earned the honor is far more important. 

Fountain gained 101 all-purpose yards with the longest reception and return during the contest. His explosiveness with the ball in his hands can't be overlooked. He averaged 14.3 yards per catch and scored 12 touchdowns as a senior. 

"His athleticism is legit," an anonymous scout said, per NFL.com's Chase Goodbread. "He should test better than a lot of guys with bigger names at the [NFL Scouting] Combine."

Today's game is built around creating or preventing chunk plays. Receivers with the ability to threaten a defense deep or create after the catch are frightening to opposing defenses. Fountain's size, speed and athleticism ratio makes him a far more intriguing possibility than other well-known prospects who don't present the same natural upside.

WR Justin Watson, Penn

Courtesy of the University of Pennsylvania Athletic Department

Whereas Northern Iowa's Daurice Fountain will be held in high regard by NFL scouts because of his explosive-play capabilities, Penn's Justin Watson is a reliable target who can develop into a slot receiver. 

There are two types of slot receivers. Smaller, shiftier targets often create space with their short-area quickness, whereas bigger-bodied options often serve as mismatches against smaller defensive backs who line up over the slot. Watson fits the latter. 

Penn's all-time leader in career receptions (286), receiving yards (3,777), receiving touchdowns (33) and all-purpose yards (4,116) weighed in a sturdy 6'2 ½" tall and 213 pounds at the Senior Bowl.

In fact, the two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the FCS' most outstanding offensive player earned the "call-up" to the Senior Bowl after an outstanding Shrine Game performance. Two things became readily apparent at both venues. 

First, Watson displays good body control with outstanding hands. Second, he's a deft route-runner. There are concerns about his ability to separate from more athletic defensive backs, though. The description of Watson sounds a lot like that of Cooper Kupp from a year ago, doesn't it? 

Not every receiver is built to stretch defenses or make defenders miss after the catch. Quarterbacks still need targets capable of being at the right place at the right time on a consistent basis. Watson can be that option within an NFL scheme. 

TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State

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Ashland's Adam Shaheen became the first non-FBS product selected in the 2017 NFL draft. Another small-school tight end is expected to be the first chosen a year later. 

South Dakota State's Dallas Goedert is a matchup nightmare and potential first-round pick. At 6'4 ½" and 260 pounds, Goedert is built similarly to Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. The first-team All-American is a standout athlete, too. Goedert registered a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and 36-inch vertical during team workouts. 

"The measurables are what they are, and they're very good. From that standpoint, he'll be as good as anyone his size," an anonymous scout said, per NFL.com's Chase Goodbread. "As a small-town guy who sort of came out of nowhere, though, teams are going to be more interested to know what makes him tick on the inside." 

Goedert does present some question marks because he's still developing as a football player. He excelled on both the gridiron and hardwood before deciding to walk onto the Jackrabbits program. 

His ability to create mismatches is instantly mouthwatering for most scouts. Goedert caught 164 passes for 2,404 yards and 18 touchdowns during the past two seasons. Before tweaking a hamstring at the Senior Bowl and pulling out of the event, the tight end showed how he can stretch the seam and create separation against talented linebackers and defensive backs. 

The two-time Walter Payton Award Finalist is a special offensive talent, but his continued growth, particularly as an in-line option, will be what he needs to become an elite tight end in the pros.

OT Alex Cappa, Humboldt State

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This year's small-school crop is particularly intriguing along the offensive line. Since the nation's top programs aren't producing ready-made blockers like they once did, other avenues are being explored, and multiple lesser-known prospects will be drafted. 

Humboldt State's Alex Cappa has a chance to be the first small-school offensive lineman off the board. The four-time GNAC Offensive Lineman of the Year is one of the nastiest blockers you will ever see. The cliche of blocking to the echo of the whistle applies here because Cappa tries to bury everyone he faces. 

Granted, not many Division II defenders can stack up against the 6'5 ½", 299-pound blocker. Scouts didn't have to wait long to see Cappa do the same against other top prospects at the Senior Bowl, per Pro Football Focus' Ben Stockwell. 

Cappa's nasty demeanor is his defining trait, but he's a solid technician as a run- and pass-blocker. That said, his lateral agility and overall foot quickness can be questioned. As a result, some teams may project the Gene Upshaw Award finalist as a guard. Also, his arms were the second-shortest among tackle prospects in Mobile, according to Draft Countdown's Scott Wright. 

It doesn't matter if he ends up at tackle or guard, though, because offensive line coaches are going to love his attitude. 

In recent years, Ali Marpet, Laurent Duveray-Tardif and Terron Armstead developed into great professionals despite not taking a traditional path to the NFL. Cappa continues to establish himself among a talented group of small-school linemen.  

OT Desmond Harrison, West Georgia

Caitlyn Tekknip/West Georgia Athletic Department

While Alex Cappa has been one of the most discussed prospects at the Senior Bowl, West Georgia offensive tackle Desmond Harrison never got to show what he could do in Mobile. 

Harrison did arrive at the event to be measured, and he weighed a surprising 279 pounds. However, he lost a significant amount of weight and couldn't participate after dealing with the flu last week, according to NBC Sports' Josh Norris. 

Despite the setback, Harrison is still a potential early- or mid-round draft pick because of his athleticism and length. Physically, he's reminiscent of D'Brickashaw Ferguson because of his slender frame and vine-like arms. But the offensive tackle's ability has never been in question. His attitude and past transgressions are far more important for his evaluation. 

Former Texas head coach Charlie Strong expected Harrison to be the Longhorns' starting left tackle in 2014 until multiple suspensions led to his getting kicked off the squad. Harrison spent two years away from the gridiron before joining West Georgia's program where he demolished Division II competition. 

The interview process is just as important as anything a young man can do on the field at the Senior Bowl. Harrison, through no fault of his own, missed the opportunity to address his past transgressions. Now, he'll need to do so at the combine next month. 

Harrison is far from a polished prospect in regards to technique, but his natural tools are outstanding. He projects as a left tackle if NFL coaches maximize his potential and the young man doesn't experience any more off-field hiccups. 

OT Greg Senat, Wagner

Dave Saffran/Wagner Athletic Department

Projecting undersized basketball players to the football field became common practice for NFL scouts years ago. There are always those who flirt with the possibility of making the transition. Few of those prospects star in both sports. Wagner's Greg Senat started at offensive tackle for the football team and at center on the basketball squad during his final two seasons on campus. 

"Football was always in my heart," Senat said during his junior campaign, per SILive.com's Cormac Gordon. "I loved it when I was younger, and now I always find myself watching NFL tight ends, especially the guys who had played college basketball."

The 6'6", 290-pound two-sport athlete didn't become a tight end like he envisioned. However, he has a bright future as an NFL blocker. 

The most common observation made about basketball-turned-football standouts is their outstanding footwork. Senat isn't any different. Despite his size, the offensive lineman is light on his feet and moves well. This will allow him to mirror and redirect even the most athletic pass-rushers.

Also, his long levers (35 ⅝ inches) will help offset some of the technique issues he'll experience early in his professional career. Senat's hip flexibility is suspect, which affects his pad level, particularly in his pass set. This can be improved through certain training regimens and top-notch coaching. 

Senat did not receive an invite to the Senior Bowl like the previously mentioned offensive tackles, but he did perform well at the East-West Shrine Game and has as much or more potential than any other small-school prospect. 

DT Nathan Shepherd, Fort Hays State

Ryan Prickett/Fort Hays State Athletic Department

A qualification often applied to small-school prospects is whether they performed like men among boys at their respective level. NFL teams aren't interested in physically gifted individuals who don't dominate against inferior talent. 

Fort Hays State's Nathan Shepherd is impressive specimen at 6'4" and 310 pounds. The defensive tackle looks like he should be the first guy off the bus, and he plays like it, too. The Canadian import registered 22 tackles for loss during the last two seasons despite being constantly double- and triple-teamed. 

Upon arrival in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, Shepherd "won" weigh-ins with an impressive build—after starting his collegiate career at Simon Fraser as a 205-pound linebacker—and dominated at the point of attack against a talented offensive line group. 

Unfortunately, the impressive interior defender couldn't build upon a strong start to his week, because he broke his hand during practice. The injury shouldn't keep the All-American down for long. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Shepherd suffered a second metacarpal spiral fracture, and it should be healed within two or three weeks. 

As such, the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year will still have some time to prepare and compete at the NFL combine. Sadly, the on-field dominance at the point of attack seen in Mobile came to a premature end. However, his flashes, even in a small sample size, set the NFL world abuzz. 

LB Nick DeLuca, North Dakota State

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The North Dakota State Bison program is the closest thing to being an FBS powerhouse without actually playing at college football's highest level. Multiple NFL talents have come out of Fargo, North Dakota, in recent years, and linebacker Nick DeLuca is the latest. 

In 2015, DeLuca emerged as one of the best linebackers at any level. He registered 135 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, eight deflected passes and two forced fumbles on his way to one of four national championships. 

The two-time first-team All-MVFC performer is a bit of a throwback, because he's 6'3" and a solid 243 pounds. He's not an overstuffed safety that's asked to play sideline to sideline. Instead, he's going to play downhill and make his presence known against the run. 

Even though DeLuca is best when reading his keys and flying to the football, he's not just a two-down defender who needs to come off the field in obvious passing situations. Yes, the Bison linebacker struggles against athletic tight ends. Then again, most defenders do. 

The combine experience will be important. It is for all prospects, but those with injury histories are thoroughly poked and prodded for hours on end. The Nebraska native suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2016 and dealt with a torn meniscus at the start of the 2017 campaign. 

DeLuca is a starting-caliber prospect at inside linebacker if his body can hold up to the NFL's rigors. 

LB Darius Leonard, South Carolina State

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South Carolina State's Darius Leonard falls on the opposite side of the spectrum compared to North Dakota State's Nick DeLuca. Leonard is only 229 pounds, and he's comfortable working in space. Basically, he's built for the modern game. 

Linebackers aren't 250-plus-pound bruisers anymore. They're not asked to consistently take on and shed blockers. Instead, the ability to play sideline to sideline and cover tight ends or backs in sub-packages carries far more weight. 

The Atlanta Falcons' Deion Jones at a listed 222 pounds is closer to the norm today than the New England Patriots' Dont'a Hightower at 265 pounds. Speed and movement skills take precedent, because opposing offenses will find an immobile defender and exploit a mismatch all afternoon. 

The 2016 and 2017 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year managed 114 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 10 more quarterback hits and two interceptions last year. 

"He's a good worker and good learner and I think he has a chance to be a war daddy once he has an NFL training table and strength program behind him," an anonymous scout said of Leonard, per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. 

The linebacker can be reckless at times instead of breaking down. He's helped by a 34-inch reach, though. Leonard's speed, length and range will likely push him to weak-side linebacker where he can run and chase plays.

CB Michael Joseph, Dubuque

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Few individuals come out of Division III football to compete among the professional ranks, because it's the lowest level of collegiate athletics. Those individuals aren't even awarded athletic scholarships (even partial ones). 

Once in a great while, a talented upstart catches the NFL's eye. In 2015, Hobart offensive lineman Ali Marpet served as the Senior Bowl's enigma before becoming a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Dubuque's Michael Joseph wins this year's award for the prospect with the most intrigue from the lowest level of play. Before going to Mobile, the defensive back became the first-ever Division III product to win the Cliff Harris Award presented to the top defensive player representing Division II, III and NAIA colleges and universities. 

Joseph snagged eight interceptions and defended 24 passes during his senior campaign. Yet his goals remain meager. 

"I want to get drafted somewhere," Joseph said, per the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs. "When I get drafted, I want to make an impact early whether it's special teams or whatever. Eventually, I want to play some snaps at cornerback in my first year and in the second year hopefully win a starting job and have a long, successful career."

The leap in competition will be difficult, but the 6' ½", 186-pound defensive back showed his coverage skills against top receiver prospects. Joseph has fluid hips and good ball skills. As long as he runs well at the NFL combine, the 2017 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive MVP won't have to worry about being drafted. Instead, he'll need to start wondering how high in the process he'll be selected.