NFL Draft 2012: Top 25 Small-School Prospects

Every year, players from small schools many have never heard of are drafted.  In 2008, Domique Rodgers-Cromartie out of Tennessee State was drafted with the 16th pick.  Three years later, Rodgers-Cromartie is a starting cornerback and was involved in the offseason's blockbuster trade between the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles.

More and more, searching for sleepers in these small schools is a common draft practice.  Some analysts have even gone so far to focus on these schools.  While most aren't this dedicated, nearly every draft expert dedicates some amount of time to the FCS.

Many of these players won't be drafted, and many never will play in the NFL. But who knows, there could be a Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in there somewhere.

Pat Williams, LB, James Madison

Williams is an athletic linebacker who has become well known for making plays in the backfield.  The 220-pound defender recorded ten tackles for loss in 2010, and had a total of 101 tackles.  While Williams has some athletic ability, he needs to bulk up and develop better instincts.

Alex Gottlieb, TE, William & Mary

While somewhat athletically limited, Gottlieb finds a way to get open and has shown consistent catching ability.  The 6'4" 255-pound tight end gained 350 yards in 2010, leading all CAA tight ends.  Gottlieb needs to improve on his blocking, and more weight would not hurt.

Jonathan Grimes, RB, William & Mary

Grimes is well known for his versatility on offense and special teams.  The 5'10" 201-pound running back rushed for 887 yards and also picked up 260 yards through the pass game.  Grimes isn't overly fast, but he has good acceleration and gets up to full speed quickly.  The William & Mary star flashed his potential when he picked up 230 all-purpose yards against Old Dominion.

D.J. Hall, OG, Texas State

At 6'3" 305-pounds, Hall is a decent athlete and has the ability to block in the second level.  However, the Texas State lineman isn't overly strong and can struggle at the point of attack against bigger defensive linemen.  Hall was named a All-Southland Conference First-Team selection by the conference's coaches and is considered one of the best offensive linemen in the FCS.

Ryan Steed, CB, Furman

Steed is a good athlete and returned two of his four interceptions in 2010 for touchdowns.  At 5'11" 190-pounds, Steed has decent size and is capable of playing physically.  After recording 65 tackles last year, the Furman cornerback has proven that he is capable of playing the run and tackling opposing offensive players.

Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State

Though he is not very fast, Quick is a big, physical receiver who overpowers cornerbacks.  The 6'4" 220-pound Appalachian State player picked up 844 yards and nine touchdowns through the air.  Quick has good hands and is a decent route runner but ironically lacks the speed and quickness to be a true weapon.

B.J. Coleman, QB, Chattanooga

In 2010, Coleman produced excellent numbers, throwing for 2,996 yards and 26 touchdowns.  At 6'5" 220-pounds, the Chattanooga quarterback has good size and has the physical tools to play at a high level.  However, Coleman isn't very athletic and lacks the intelligence to be a quarterback at the next level. 

Matt Singletary, DE, Cal Poly

A converted tight end, Singletary has shown flashes of ability on the defensive side of the ball but needs to be more consistent.  The 6'4" 258-pound defensive end is a good athlete with a good first step.  However, Singletary needs to develop pass rush moves and his technique is sloppy. 

Aaron Corp, QB, Richmond

The current Richmond Spiders quarterback, Corp was at one point thought to be Mark Sanchez's heir apparent at quarterback.  However, a freshman named Matt Barkley beat Corp out for the job, and Corp transferred to Richmond. 

Injury problems have hindered Corp's career thus far, but he isn't a great player regardless.  Weighing only 205-pounds, Corp needs to bulk up or he will never be able to stay on the field.

David Duran, TE, Coastal Carolina

Duran has decent size at 6'5" 250-pounds, and though he isn't overly athletic, he is one of the most productive tight ends in FCS history.  In 2010, the Coastal Carolina star led all Big South tight ends in receptions and receiving yards for the second consecutive season. 

Gino Gradkowski, OG, Delaware

Gradkowski is a talented, athletic offensive lineman, but he needs to add bulk and strength.  The former West Virginia backup demonstrated considerable ability in his first season at Delaware, playing nearly every offensive snap in 2010.  If Gradkowski is able to gain weight while maintaining his athletic ability, he has a chance at receiving interest from NFL teams.

Norman White, WR, Villanova

After struggling as a sophomore, White broke out in 2010, gaining 886 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns.  The 6'3" 215-pound wide receiver does, however, lack athletic ability and hasn't shown the speed to consistently get open at the next level.  White's size, physicality and catching ability do make him an intriguing prospect.

Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly

The 5'10" 188-pound Jackson is a superb athlete and has the speed to run with the fastest of wide receivers.  The Cal Poly defender racked up 55 tackles and two interceptions in 2010, while also finding success as a punt returner.  Jackson is a player who has the athletic ability and size to potentially make to the NFL.

Daryl Richardson, RB, Abilene Christian

Despite not starting for much of the 2010 season, Richardson picked up 517 yards on the ground and flashed the ability to be a star in the FCS.  Just 5'11" 200-pounds, Richardson isn't very big but has the burst and agility to create exciting plays.  If the Abilene Christian running back gets the playing time that is expected, he could have a big year in 2011.

Daron Rose, OT, North Alabama

After starting 11 games for Florida State in 2007, Rose was ruled academically ineligible and eventually transferred to North Alabama.  Though he missed much of the 2010 season to injury, Rose demonstrated great ability.  At 6'5" 320-pounds, Rose has great size and still possesses the skills that helped him start for Florida State as a sophomore.

Renard Williams, DT, Eastern Washington

The 6'1" 300-pound Williams was a monster in 2010, picking up 54 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks while forcing four fumbles.  This stellar season wasn't a fluke either, and the Eastern Washington lineman picked up 9.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss in the previous season as well.  Williams isn't overly big, but he has good quickness and makes plays in the backfield.  While he isn't a complete player, Williams's penetration ability will catch the eye of many teams.

Kavario Middleton, TE, Montana

Middleton has had his fair share of off the field problems and didn't play a whole lot in 2010, but he has the ability to succeed.  At 6'5" 248-pounds, Middleton has good size for a tight end and though he lacks speed, he finds a way to get open.  A recent DUI may hurt Middleton's 2011 hopes, but he is one of the few players in the FCS who has the ability to play at a higher level.

DeAndre Presley, WR, Appalachian State

A college quarterback, Presley projects as a receiver in the NFL.  Presley's 5'11" 180-pound frame will probably limit him to playing in the slot and returning, but he has the potential to be an exciting player.  The Appalachian State quarterback became just the fourth player in FCS history to pass for 2,000 yards while rushing for 1,000 in the same season.  This stat alone demonstrates Presley's playmaking ability and possible NFL future.

Janzen Jackson, S, McNeese State

Jackson is an extremely talented safety who began receiving significant playing time for Tennessee as a freshman.  However, Jackson was involved in multiple incidents off the field and was kicked off the Volunteers football team.  Now heading to McNeese state, Jackson will need to sit out a season but could enter the 2012 NFL draft.

David Pickard, OT, Southern Illinois

At 6'5" 305-pounds, Pickard is a great athlete and has the quick feet to keep pass rushers from getting to the quarterback.  Though he isn't particularly good in the run game, the Southern Illinois lineman does a good job in the second level, where his athletic ability is better utilized. 

D.J. McNorton, RB, North Dakota State

McNorton impressed everyone in 2010 when he rushed for 1,559 yards and 15 touchdowns.  The North Dakota State running back is limited by his speed and size, but he is quick and explosive with the ball in his hands.  The 5'10" 205-pound runner won't be pounding the rock, but he will make plays and likely carry the team's offense in 2011.

Chris Summers, WR, Liberty

The 6'3" 212-pound receiver from Liberty produced huge offensive numbers in 2010, catching 76 passes for 1,081 yards and 15 touchdowns.  Summers has good size and route running ability, and is a quality threat across the middle of the field.  However, Summers's lack of quickness and speed probably limits him to being a possession receiver.

Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana

There are very few players in the FCS that make more plays than Johnson.  The 6'2" 205-pound cornerback is a physical player with enough athleticism to pick of nine passes in the past two seasons while playing in just 11 games.  However, Johnson is still raw and can be beat for big plays by quicker receivers.

Tom Compton, OT, South Dakota

The 6'6" 310-pound Compton is a great athlete and has legitimate potential along the offensive line.  Compton has the quickness and strength to dominate defensive players, and has been a superb player for South Dakota.  While he is far from a great draft prospect, Compton could end up as a mid round draft pick, or maybe even higher.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

If it were not for off the field problems, Jenkins would be considered a top fifteen draft selection and a potential superstar.  However, Jenkins's issues do not change his skills and he remains a possible first-round draft pick.  Arguably the best cornerback in college football the past two seasons, Jenkins transferred from Florida to North Alabama and a good season could possibly push him up even higher as a prospect.