2012 NFL Draft: A Brief Look at the SoCon's Top 3 Draft Prospects

It could be a big weekend for several Southern Conference players, but this article will focus on three players in particular that expect to hear their respective names called anywhere from the third to the seventh round in this weekend’s NFL draft.

Appalachian State wide receiver Brian Quick, Furman cornerback Ryan Steed and Chattanooga quarterback B.J. Coleman all expect to hear their phone ring at some point this weekend.

Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State

Just six years ago, Quick was still learning the game of football and played only one season of football during as a senior at Ridgeview High School in Columbia, South Carolina. Six years later, however, Quick is now the focus of draft experts, such as ESPN’s Mel Kiper, who has called Quick a “sleeper” in the upcoming NFL draft.

While Quick might be a sleeper to the NFL scouts and the rest of the BCS college football world, he certainly was not a sleeper to his FCS brethren and those that followed Appalachian State football. All The Quick did in his four seasons at Appalachian State was set new career marks for receptions (220), yards (3,418), TD catches (31) and yards-per-catch.

At 6'4", 220 pounds, Quick is the prime height and weight to take on the physical aspects of being an NFL wide receiver. Quick has drawn comparisons to other small-school wide receiver products who have gone onto to make names for themselves at the next level, including Marques Colston (Hofstra) and Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado).

The Southern Conference has had a history of producing some reputable talent at the wide receiver position in the pros, as Marshall greats Troy Brown and Randy Moss went on to make names for themselves at the next level, as well as others like David Patten (Western Carolina) and Terrell Owens (Chattanooga).

Quick could go as high as the second round this weekend, and most experts have had Quick coming off the board between the second and third rounds. Quick’s athleticism, size and leaping ability are going to make some NFL team the benefactors of a great talent this weekend.

Ryan Steed, CB, Furman

Cornerback Ryan Steed is no doubt the best one-on-one cornerback to ever line up on a given Saturday afternoon for the Furman Paladins. At a position that has not been a traditionally strong one in Greenville, Steed has a chance to be the highest draft choice ever selected out of Furman.

One of the knocks on Steed, however, has been his speed, clocking just an average of 4.68 in his 40-yard dash times at the NFL combine. The Mount Pleasant, S.C., product booked quite an impressive career in the Purple and White, finishing his career ranking third in school history in passes defended (38) and fourth in INTs (14).

While Steed might lack speed, scouts like his fluidity and smooth athleticism, as well as his on-the-field athleticism. Steed is a player who is not scared to mix it up physically on the field, either. Facing Appalachian State’s Brian Quick in a matchup earlier this season, Steed held his fellow All-American counterpart to just 60 yards on four catches in Furman’s 20-10 win. Steed was invited to play in the Senior Bowl and put in a solid performance during his time in front of the NFL scouts. Steed is expected to go anywhere from the fifth to seventh round this weekend.

Defensive back hasn’t been a strong position for the Southern Conference entering the NFL, but players like Donnie Abraham (ETSU, 1991-94) and Gerald Sensabaugh (ETSU, 2003, then North Carolina) ended up making solid careers for themselves at the next level.

B.J. Coleman, QB, Chattanooga

The 6'3", 232-pound native of Chattanooga started his career at the University of Tennessee before transferring his final three seasons to play in his hometown. The Mocs were certainly the beneficiaries, as Coleman brought a big-time arm and a certain savvy to the position and made the Mocs an instant contender in the SoCon race.

For his career, Coleman completed 583 of 1,016 passes for 6,892 yards and 52 TDs and 32 INTs in a little over two seasons as a starter.

NFL scouts are most impressed by Coleman’s footwork and savvy, and like Quick, he has been regarded as a draft “sleeper” by some of the experts.

Like defensive back, quarterback hasn’t been a particularly strong position for the Southern Conference at the next level. Armanti Edwards, arguably the most accomplished quarterback in Southern Conference history, now plays wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers.

The last true NFL prototype to come out of the Southern Conference was another SEC East transfer, in Florida’s Ingle Martin. Martin was a fifth-round selection of the Green Bay Packers in 2006, but never really cashed on his talent, with stints at Green Bay, Tennessee and Kansas City before going into coaching.  

Like Martin in 2006, many expect Coleman to come off the board in the fifth round this weekend.

Other Draft Hopefuls from the SoCon

•  LaRon Scott, CB, Georgia Southern
• Chris Forcier, QB/WR, Furman
• Kadarron Anderson, LB, Furman
• J.J. Wilcox, SB/WR, Georgia Southern
• Joel Bradford, WR, Chattanooga