NFL Combine 2012: Under-the-Radar BCS School Prospects to Keep an Eye on

Folks, we are roughly one week away from the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, and the anticipation for the draft only gets more intense.

To that end, there's obviously going to be a lot of attention toward top prospects such as Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Justin Blackmon. So with the combine having hundreds of other players participating, here's some going under the radar to watch for.

Full view of 2012 NFL Combine Prospects.

Orson Charles: TE, Georgia

Most certainly one of the more overlooked players in the SEC, Georgia tight end Orson Charles collected 574 yards on 45 receptions while scoring five times in 2011.

He's a solid run blocker, reliable receiver over the middle and is big enough to act as a sixth offensive lineman in pass protection. Charles' agility is his most impressive attribute to look for at the combine because he did good work at getting yards after the catch.

In the red zone is where there's even more room for potential. Considering that he's about the size of most linebackers, Charles' athleticism makes him much more capable of getting open in single coverage and finding the zone's soft spot.

At the combine, his route-running and release off the line of scrimmage will arguably be the most critical.

Harrison Smith: Safety, Notre Dame

A very aware safety when in cover-one, two or three, Notre Dame's Harrison Smith defended 24 passes between 2010 and 2011 with seven interceptions recorded (all in 2010).

Smith also provides a defense with the luxury of rolling down to cover tight ends, slot receivers and run support with his 6'2", 212-pound frame.

He also accounted for 181 tackles the last two years and was consistent as 108 were solo plays. When in coverage, he does need to be a bit more under control and remain smooth. Smith has great instincts but is vulnerable to getting beat because of his over-aggressiveness.

As for the combine, look for Smith's ability to change direction and break on the ball. After all, playing in the secondary in a pass-happy league, there's no room for even the most miniscule of errors.

Leonard Johnson: CB, Iowa State

Arguably the most complete and consistent corner that's going overlooked in the draft, Iowa State's Leonard Johnson is an expected second-rounder, but you wouldn't know it since so much attention revolves around the SEC.

Plus, it's not like Big 12 pass defenses were overly impressive in 2011 by comparison.

A solid four-year contributor for the Cyclones, Johnson recorded 241 tackles, six picks, six forced fumbles and 32 defended passes throughout his career. The man also knows how to step up in big games, as his lone interception from 2011 came against Oklahoma State who suffered its only loss to the Cyclones.

During the NFL combine, though, let's be sure to track Johnson's physical toughness as being somewhat undersized puts him at a disadvantage. The more he can use his body to quickly accumulate kinetic energy will bode well as Johnson does lack strength compared to other corners.

John Rozum on Twitter.