Senior Bowl 2012: Non-BCS Conference 2012 NFL Draft Prospects to Keep an Eye on

In the 2012 Senior Bowl, there's definitely plenty of top tier BCS talent from school's such as LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Michigan State.

Still, there's also quite a bit of non-BCS talent that is going unnoticed because of more notable mid-major conference players like Boise State's Kellen Moore and Marshall's Vinny Curry.

That said, here are some other small conference players to watch as we keep getting close to the 2012 NFL draft.

Josh Norman: CB, Coastal Carolina

He recorded a team high 62 tackles, forced two fumbles and picked off two passes while breaking up another 12. Coastal Carolina's Josh Norman is one solid cornerback.

And although the Chanticleers are an FCS school, Norman is still an expected third-round pick in a cornerback-heavy draft. Norman's 6'0", 200-pound frame is big for a corner but he also has excellent speed for his size.

Therefore, once drafted it's not out of the question if he sees time and/or gets moved to free safety. Norman's size is ideal there and his ability to read and then react will pay dividends in cover-2 over the top and cover-3 in the middle.

A strong showing in the Senior Bowl could up his draft stock to a late second-rounder before the NFL combine.

Billy Winn: DE, Boise State

Despite only recording 33 tackles and three sacks in 2011, Boise State's Billy Winn is still considered a late second-round pick.

Obviously going somewhat under the radar with Kellen Moore and Doug Martin on offense, the Broncos defense have three defensive ends who potentially will get drafted and Winn leads the way.

He has excellent strength and more agile than meets the eye because of his size. However, Winn also must learn how to use that power and strength to dominate offensive lineman, because brute strength rarely wins in football, especially the trenches.

In the Senior Bowl, watch for his reaction right after the ball is snapped. He's had trouble accelerating and being quick with his first few steps, something that Winn needs to significantly improve before the combine.

Had Winn possessed a quick first step or two, he would have gotten a lot more tackles and sacks.

Ryan Lindley: QB, San Diego State

Great size and a strong arm, however, accuracy is an issue.

In four years with the San Diego State Aztecs, Ryan Lindley never completed more than 57.7 percent of his passes (2010) and was just 53 percent as a Senior in 2011.

Fortunately for Lindley though, he has the intangibles to quickly improve. He stays in the pocket, doesn't try to do too much, is good at feeling the rush and has solid mechanics.

Three of his four years Lindley threw for more than 3,000 yards and had cut down on interceptions from 16 in 2009, to 14 in 2010 to just eight in 2011. Provided that Lindley can improve on accuracy and learn to fit the rock in small windows, he'll make a strong backup as a rookie.

John Rozum on Twitter.