2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the Best Prospects from Non-BCS Schools
Every year, there are a handful of players from non-BCS schools that receive major attention come NFL draft time.
The 2012 class is no different.
The NFL has plenty of star players from small schools and all GMs are looking for the next Jared Allen (Idaho State), Miles Austin (Monmouth) or Fred Jackson (Coe College).
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These are the best players from schools outside the major six conferences in college football.
Vinny Curry, DL, Marshall
This 6'5'', 242-pound Curry was one of the most productive players in Conference USA over the last two seasons. In 2010, his 12-sack total gave him national attention. This year, he followed that up with 11 more quarterback takedowns.
He has great suddenness off the snap, is extremely quick and stays low to get around the corner. The senior doesn't possess a ton of counter moves and typically relies on his pure speed and athleticism to get to the quarterback.
He's not the most consistent defensive end against the run and needs to add bulk to his frame if he wants to stay at that position at the next level.
Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan
It's hard to have better seasons than the last two that White had at Western Michigan. As a junior, he caught 94 passes for 1,378 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2011, he reeled in 140 passes for 1,911 yards with 17 touchdowns.
This 6'0'', 215-pound stud projects similarly to Pierre Garcon when he came out of Mount Union a few years ago.
He's a good possession guy, but has the athleticism and deceptive speed to create the big play down the field.
White exploded for 13 grabs for 265 yards and one touchdown in the Broncos' bowl game against Purdue this season.
He is an all-around solid receiver that should go in the second or third round and has the potential to become a viable starter in the pro ranks.
Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
Quick is the small-school offensive prospect everyone's talking about. He contributed in all four years during his time with the FCS powerhouse and hauled in 71 passes for 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games this season.
At 6'5'' and 220 pounds, Quick has an NFL body and should be able to overpower smaller cornerbacks with his size alone.
He's a long-strider, so his speed sneaks up on defenders. Furthermore, the senior has respectable leaping ability with soft hands, making him an ideal red-zone target.
2012 NFL Mock Draft (Jan. 18 Update, post-Kirkpatrick arrest)
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DE/DT, LSU
9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
10. Buffalo Bills: Nick Perry, OLB, USC
11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
25. Denver Broncos: Chris Polk, RB, Washington
26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
27. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
28. Baltimore Ravens: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC
29. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Devon Still, DT, Penn State
30. San Francisco 49ers: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
32. Green Bay Packers: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
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