NFL Draft 2011: 10 Small School Kids to Watch Out For
Jerry Rice. Johnny Knox. J' Marcus Webb.
What do these NFL players have in common? They all played for small colleges.
During the offseason, NFL teams start scouting for small school players who could be the next great player for their respective franchises (like Jerry Rice).
Here are the 10 players to look out for in the 2011 draft.
WR Jerrel Jernigan: Troy
1 of 10
Jerrel Jernigan has played for a team that expects their players to play like they're at big-name schools, and he has responded every year.
Jerrel possesses the ability to play outside the numbers and also within the numbers, explaining the comparisons to Greg Jennings.
He can beat you deep and within the numbers.
Stats: Receiving: 84 REC, 822 YDS, 6 TD
Rushing: 45 ATT, 322 YDS, 3 TD
Highlights here
OG Benjamin Ijalana: Villanova
2 of 10
It is not very often a player from a FCS school is named to the Outland Trophy watch list, but Benjamin Ijalana was in 2010.
He is undersized to play tackle, so most teams will turn him into a guard.
Ijalana has the ability to stay healthy and has continued to get stronger. He will have to work on his technique, especially if he is converted to a guard.
Since not many people watch Villanova football, we have to settle with a picture of a Villanova cheerleader. Not a bad replacement.
Highlights here
DT Kendrick Ellis: Hampton
3 of 10
For a guy who was a mid-level player at South Carolina, Kendrick Ellis turned it around at Hampton and became a dominant force.
He is a big boy who weighs in at 300-320 pounds.
Ellis needs to work on his pass rush, but he is already a dominant run stopper. He also needs to work on his explosion off the line, but is sneaky quick for a big man.
Stats: 94 tackles, two sacks, five quarterback hurries
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WR Cecil Shorts III: Mount Union
4 of 10
During his career at Mount Union, Cecil Short was an all-purpose player like Percy Harvin was when he was at Florida.
He is not the small, quick wide receiver though; he is 6' 2" and 210 lbs.
Stats: 63 REC, 1,106 YDS, 17 TD
Another small school player, another cheerleader picture. Nothing better than that.
Highlights here
TE Lee Smith: Marshall
5 of 10
After two so-so years, Lee Smith has blossomed into a well-rounded player who will be a steal for a team in the later rounds.
He has the size (6'6") and is a solid route-runner.
Smith does need to work on his blocking, but that should be somewhat easy, given his size.
Stats: 38 REC, 358 YDS, 3 TD
CB Davon House: New Mexico State
6 of 10
Davon House has good size for a cornerback, but does lack some technique that will need to be touched upon in the NFL.
He is a great tackler and also has the ability to turn a turnover into a score.
House has good speed, but needs to develop smoother, quicker hips.
Stats: 68 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 TD
Highlights here
WR Vincent Brown: San Diego State
7 of 10
Vincent Brown was one of the 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award.
He lacks great size, but he should be able to add on the weight. If he doesn't, he will have a hard time taking the hits from safeties in the NFL.
Brown has good speed and a great pair of hands, which should fit perfectly for a slot receiver position on a NFL team.
Stats: 45 REC, 778 YDS, 6 TD
Highlights here
OG Will Rackley: Lehigh
8 of 10
At 6'4", 307 lbs., Will Rackley is the ideal fit for the guard position. He shows excellent technique and a keen ability to pick up on the extra blitzer.
Rackley paved the way on a line that helped the offense to average 320 yards per game.
He might not start right offthe bat, but keep an eye on him. Rackley would be ideal for a team like the Bears.
There are no stats for Will Rackley.
OLB D.J. Smith: Appalachian State
9 of 10
D.J. Smith is not exactly the tallest for a linebacker, but he makes up for it in mass, weighing in at 237 lbs.
At Appalachian State, Smith was a tackling machine, and helping them rank as high as fifth in the FCA.
He needs to work on his coverage ability, but will add nice depth to any team and will have immediate success on special teams.
Stats: 144 total tackles, two sacks, one interception
RB Taiwan Jones: Eastern Washington
10 of 10
If an NFL team is looking for a running back to compliment their star running back, a healthy Taiwan Jones might do the trick.
He has ideal size at 6'1" 200 lbs. He can add more weight, if needed, to become a more powerful back.
Jones has sneaky speed and can hit the holes moving sideways or straight downhill. Taiwan has excellent hands as well but will need to improve on his blocking ability.
Stats: Rushing: 221 ATT, 1742 YDS, 14 TD
Receiving: 24 REC, 342 YDS, 3 TD
Highlights here
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