The Nine Best Small-School Prospects for 2010 NFL Draft

The 2010 draft has its fair share of prospects coming outside of Division I programs—let alone BCS teams. While a few in this list technically play for a D-I school such as Ohio or Baylor University, can be grouped together with the D I-AA teams of the majority of these prospects. Nobody will mistake either as one of the prominent powerhouse teams in the nation.

This year’s crop of talent includes one of the more remarkable batches of small-school prospects in quite some time.

9. Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale 6’8", 320 lbs

Tucked away in the western part of Michigan is tiny Hillsdale College. In fact, many high schools in Michigan have twice as many students compared to Veldheer’s alma mater.

Barely recruited, the D-II All-American lineman is making a name for himself for his atypical combination of size, speed, and footwork.
Coaches and teammates seem to agree about the extreme level of dedication and commitment of the towering, late-bloomer type of prospect.

One mock draft had Veldheer rising as high the later picks in round two, while most others peg him in the fifth or sixth.

His showing at the combine will strongly dictate which because it will be one of the only real analyses out there, which has Veldheer lining up against much bigger and faster defensive lineman.

Fun Fact: Alumnus Bob Clark is known as the filmmaker who brought us such classics as A Christmas Story and, ahem…Porky’s I and II.

Prediction: Mid 5th

8. Andre Roberts, WR, Citadel 5’11", 190 lbs

Perhaps a product of the military-style collegiate environment, Roberts is a disciplined, heady, and coachable player, both on and off the field.

According to reports out of Mobile, Alabama, Roberts caught coaches attention with his attitude and—more importantly—production against far better talent than he normally faced against the Wofford’s, Samford’s, and Chattanooga’s of the college football world.

Roberts has been classified as one of the more “sure-handed” and fluid route-runners while staking claim to one of “2010’s more polished receivers,” according to Rob Rang of The Sports Exchange.

Prediction: Early 5th

7. Joique Bell, RB, Wayne State University, 5’11" 225 lbs

Bell is a tireless running back with an impressive array of balance, speed, and power. His shiftiness is the most underrated aspect to his skill set.

An extremely strong runner who can bowl over or pass a defender seemingly at will. He’s recorded an astonishing 59 touchdowns the last three seasons at this Detroit, Michigan university.

Hard to argue against the productivity of this year’s Harlon Hill Award Winner, D-II version of the Heisman, and Top 10 members in both yards from scrimmage and scoring—in the history of the NCAA.

Prediction: Late 4th

6. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah CB Indiana-PA 6’1 205

He’s a true small-school prospect with off-the-chart measurable traits such as prototypical size and speed (4.5). Owusu-Ansah is one of the most talented players to come out IUP in recent memory. However, he unfortunately suffered a torn labrum in the season finale against Kutztown—yes Kutztown.

Mock drafts have him going anywhere from the middle of the second to the end of the fourth rounds, but the aforementioned injury forced the Ghana-born special team’s dynamo to miss the Senior Bowl.

The stats show an opportunistic playmaker as a cornerback and punt returner. Even more impressive when you read most offensive game plans rarely called plays in his direction.

Fun fact : Notable IUP alumni include former NFL coach Jim Haslett and legendary actor Jimmy Stewart.

Projection: Early 4th

5. Austen Lane, DE, Murray State 6’6 270

He’s one of the more highly-acclaimed athletes to ever come out of the Murray State Racers athletic department. Lane is another AP FCS First-Team All-American in addition to his recognition as this year’s Defensive Player of the Year in the OVC.

Murray State rarely churns out pro-level prospects and is one of the smallest of the small schools on this list. Even their highly respected sharpshooters are not the kind you’re thinking of on the hardwood. The Racers are actually best known for their dominating National Rifle teams—including three NCAA championships.

Lane has ideal size and rare quickness for such a big man. Coaches will want him to improve his strength, but it’s nothing NFL strength and conditioning coaches can’t handle.

Projection: 3rd

4. J.D. Walton, C, Baylor, 6’3" 300 lbs

The report on Walton describes a quick, strong, durable, and extremely tough-nosed football player.

He has good size for a center and a very good mental aptitude, which is one of the most demanding positions on the field. Beyond that, Walton knows how to command his fellow linemen and will provide one of the better values in the 2010 draft should he fall this far.

Mel Kiper Jr. tagged the Texas-born athlete as the No. 1 center in the senior class.

Projection: Early 3rd

3. Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State, 6’5" 285 lbs

I’m not sure there is another player in April’s draft that passes the eyeball test with more conviction than Carrington. He looks like he can line up at almost any position on the field.

He’s a seriously muscled-up prospect and reminds me of Larry English, another small-school defensive prospect from last year’s draft. While not as highly thought of as the former Northern Illinois playmaker and current San Diego Charger, Carrington has all the tools to provide first-round type of talent if everything falls in line.

Somebody at his size capable of running a 4.7 forty is almost unfathomable. Several teams have major voids of talented pass-rushers. A team such as Detroit could end up taking Carrington.

Projection: 3rd

2. Taylor Price, WR, Ohio 6’0 200

Despite being led by a recognizable name in the collegiate coaching ranks, the Ohio Bobcats are still considered as more of a “small-school” program. One player on Coach Frank Solich’s surprisingly competitive 2009 team was this tough, speedy (4.35) receiver.

Price was a primary reason the Bobcats finished with the second-best overall record behind Top 25 team Central Michigan University. Like Ducasse, he separated from the pack during the Senior Bowl when the upgrade in quality of his teammates actually helped expose this former sleeper’s draft position—and bank account.

Originally projected to go sometime during the third day of the draft, it now seems he’s a sure bet to be picked by the end of the third round—if not sooner.

Projection: 2nd-3rd

1. Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts 6’5" 325 lbs

Haiti-native was a 2009 AP FCS First-Team All American. He’s one of the fastest risers in the draft likely due to the positive reports surfacing out of coaches and scouts comments regarding his performance in practice.

Ducasse is classified as a late-bloomer category of player since he didn’t start playing football until he was in high school. Ducasse has been a starter for the Minutemen three of his four years on the team. A couple recent mock drafts project the versatile lineman as high as the second round.

Projection: 1st-2nd

1. Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts 6’5 325

Haiti-native was a 2009 AP FCS First-Team All American. He’s one of the fastest risers in the draft likely due to the positive reports surfacing out of coaches and scouts comments regarding his performance in practice.

Ducasse is classified as a late-bloomer category of player since he didn’t start playing football until he was in high school. Ducasse has been a starter for the Minutemen three of his four years on the team. A couple recent mock drafts project the versatile lineman as high as the second round.

Projection – 1st-2nd