2011 NFL Draft: 10 Small School Prospects Who Impressed Us at the Combine

Everyone had their eyes on Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Nick Fairley and Julio Jones. The big names from the big schools always draw attention.

But what about the guys invited from the smaller schools?

There were more than 300 participants in this year's combine, and not all of them were from the SEC or Big Ten.

So here is a look at 10 small school players who benefited from attending the combine.

Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Temple

Muhammad Wilkerson got his name in a few general managers' folders over the weekend by showing he could be a first-round prospect if he had had more hype coming into the combine.

Right now, Wilkerson went from a low-profile prospect to a possible second-round pick.

Benjamin Ijalana, OT Villanova

Benjamin Ijalana got a chance to show the NFL he should be up in the conversation with names like Nate Solder and Gabe Carimi.

Ijalana has the size and speed to be a top-round prospect, and he may go in the top half of the second round now that the NFL has had a chance to see him move. Once they look at his tape, they will be even more impressed.

Chris Culliver, CB/S South Carolina

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Chris Culliver #17 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Chris Culliver is a very intriguing prospect. He ran two 40-yard dashes at the combine, both of which were unofficially under 4.4 seconds.

At college, he has played cornerback, safety, wide receiver and kick returner. He will be a great late-round pickup by a team, as his versatility will earn him a place on the roster.

Joe Lefeged, S Rutgers

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Joe Lefeged #29 of Rutgers looks on before taking the field during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Joe Lefeged has a very bright future by running an unofficial 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine.

Lefeged played safety, but with that speed he easily can be converted to cornerback if a team wants him and does not need him at the S position.

Lefeged also can return kicks and punts and should be a late-round pickup for one of the teams.

Brandon Fusco, C Slippery Rock

Brandon Fusco is a big guy, the kind of player teams want at center protecting the quarterback.

He measured in a 6'4", 306 lbs. in Indianapolis. He looked fluid in his drills and had a very good broad jump. Although, why a center would need to excel at the broad jump is beyond me.

The size and bulk are exactly what the NFL scouts look for in a center prospect, and Fusco should go off the board in the middle rounds.

Cliff Matthews, DE/OLB South Carolina

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Cliff Matthews #83 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

No relation to Clay or Casey, Cliff Matthews is a solid linebacker prospect.

He does not have the ideal size of a top-round prospect, but he is big enough to get the job done. At 6'3", 257 lbs, he is very athletic, running a 4.82 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. He showed good skills and moves in the other drills and will move up in the rankings.

Ricky Elmore, DE Arizona

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 05: Defensive ends Brooks Reed #42 and Ricky Elmore #44 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrate after stopping the USC Trojans on the final play on December 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won

Ricky Elmore came into the combine measuring 6'5", 255 lbs.

Elmore is fast and a hard worker. He is seen as a guy who does not have the skills to be a starter, but by looking good at the combine, he should be able to catch someone's attention as a developmental project.

Andre Holmes, WR Hillsdale

Andre Holmes is a talented small school receiver that came into the combine at 6'4", 210 pounds and ran a 4.53 40-yard dash.

For teams looking for a good wide receiver late in the draft, this is your guy. He's tall, relatively quick and the kind of guy who comes out of nowhere to be a star.

Jerrel Jernigan, WR Troy

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 18: Jerrel Jernigan #3 of the Troy University Trojans scores a touchdown over Donovan Fletcher #29 of the Ohio University Bobcats during the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on December 18, 2010 in New O

Jerrel Jernigan came into the combine at 5'9", 185 lbs., which is undersized for a pro wide receiver.

But Jernigan has blazing speed and is considered fearless. He has great moves and will do whatever he has to do to get on the field.

Jernigan's speed will get him taken in the late rounds, and he will have a chance to prove himself.

Ricardo Lockette, WR Fort Valley State

Ricardo Lockette hit the combine at 6'2", 211 lbs. That is a great size for a wide receiver prospect.

He also is very fast, reportedly running a 4.26 40-yard dash in practice before the combine.

Lockette ran a 4.37 at the combine, and is one of the top performers in that drill as well as the 60-yard shuttle and the broad jump.

Lockette is considered extremely raw despite his upside, and that will keep him from going in the first few rounds. But with his athleticism and speed, Lockette is a solid mid-round pick who will have a chance to develop in the NFL.