2012 NFL Draft: 16 Playmakers from Weak Programs

While a few Pac-12 quarterbacks are garnering most of the 2012 NFL Draft focus, there are some talented playmakers from “lesser” schools that will be getting some attention over the coming season. 

Some will argue that a few of the following players aren’t necessarily “playmakers.”  I would agree to an extent.  But a defensive lineman that can plug holes in the ground game and pressure the quarterback is highly sought after in the NFL.

Please leave your comments on other players you feel should have cracked this list.

Chris Summers, WR, Liberty

As with a few of the members on this list, it took some digging to find Chris Summers.

He had 76 receptions for 1,081 yards with 15 touchdowns last season.  He is not a speedy back, but has solid size at 6'3" and 212 pounds.  He has an explosive first step, though, that will help him get separation.

However, he will need to improve his production in 2011 to make his way onto draft boards.  

Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana-Lafayette

Ladarius Green has certainly been a playmaker in college.  However, making the big step to the NFL will be tough for Green, as he lacks the expected size.  At 6'6" and 230 pounds he has a frame begging for more weight, but as of yet he's been unable to add it.

He is a solid receiver, catching 44 passes for an impressive 794 yards last season. He is expected to run a pedestrian 4.7 in the 40-yard dash, though.

Green will be a late-round prospect and will need some work to make a roster, let alone an impact, in the NFL.

Tashaun Gipson, CB, Wyoming

Tashaun Gipson could be a late-round gem for a team looking for a corner it can mold.  Gipson has solid size and speed (6'0", 195 pounds, 4.49) that should open doors to NFL training camps.

Gipson logged three interceptions last season and showed support in the run game.  He had 40 tackles, 3.5 for loss.  He currently looks to be a fifth-round prospect.

Lance Dunbar, RB, North Texas

Lance Dunbar will be an intriguing prospect.  He isn't a speedster by any stretch, and his 5'9" frame will keep him from being drafted too early, despite weighing in at 203 pounds.

Dunbar was one of the best runners in the nation last season, gaining more than 1,500 yards and averaging 5.7 yards per carry.  He added 13 TDs, three of which—and 270 of his yards—came against Kansas State.  This performance should have answered any questions on his ability to perform against better talent.

Dunbar is currently a late-round talent, but should make an impact in the NFL, even as a complimentary back.

B.J. Coleman, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga

A transfer student, B.J. Coleman started his career at Tennessee.  He transferred after his redshirt freshman season, following his father's footsteps; Bryon Coleman, Sr. played four seasons for the Mocs from 1977-'80.

Coleman immediately took the starting duties from senior Jare Gault.  He has been consistent with his completion percentage, but took a huge step forward in yards per pass last season.  He also increased his touchdowns by 50 percent, from 17 in 2009 to 26 in 2010.

Coleman would need some time to develop in the NFL but could be a fifth-round draft choice.

Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State

Aztec fans will accurately point out that they actually won a bowl game last season over Navy, compiling a 9-4 record.  However, they only had 10 wins in the prior three seasons and much of their current success can be attributed to one player: Ryan Lindley.

Lindley had a QB rating last season of 149.4, thanks in large part to throwing 28 TDs to just 14 interceptions.  He only completed 57.7 percent of his passes, though his 9.1 yards per attempt show he wasn't afraid to thrown the ball downfield.

Taking over as the starting quarterback his freshman year, Lindley has shown solid improvement each year.  He could become an attractive mid-round option in the 2012 NFL Draft.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International

T.Y. Hilton will be a bit of a wild card on draft weekend.  He has performed well against lesser talent, but will need to live up to his expected to 40 time of 4.4 seconds. 

If Hilton can improve on his junior year statistics (59 receptions, 848 yards, five TDs) and perform as expected at the combine he could have his name called towards the end of Day 2.

He is a solid playmaker, showing value in the return game as well.  The new NFL kickoff placement will hinder his special teams value, but his four kickoff return touchdowns also translate to the punt return game, as seen in the above video.

And while I am aware that FIU actually won a bowl game last season, it was one sponsored by a struggling pizza chain to a very weak opponent. 

Trumaine Johnson, FS, Montana

Trumaine Johnson has been an FCS standout for the perennial contender Montana.  He has notched 13 interceptions in three seasons, using his size and speed to torture opposing offenses.

Johnson (6'2", 197 pounds) will need another standout performance in 2011 if he is going to have his name called before Day 3, but he has an outside chance to make the Day 2 cut.

Renard Williams, DT, Eastern Washington University

Renard Williams used his combination of size and quickness to help the Eagles win the FCS championship last season.  He is quick off the ball and has a great spin move in pass-rush situations.

Eastern wasn't Williams' first choice.  He was being recruited by the University of Washington, but academics pushed him to the FCS.  He could be a Day 2 draft selection, as he will undoubtedly turn heads at the combine.  He could turn in a 40 time below 4.7 seconds.

Tony Dye, SS, UCLA

Tony Dye is one of many safeties that look to capitalize on the relatively weak 2011 draft class for safeties.  To do so, he'll need to show he can be more of a playmaker this season; he had just one interception in 2010.

With my apologies for including the mighty Bruins on this list, the team only managed four wins in two of the last three seasons.  

Dye will look to help change their fortunes this season.  He could be a Day 2 draft choice.

Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy

Jonathan Massaquoi turned in an amazing junior year, tallying 13.5 sacks and an amazing 20.5 tackles for loss.  He had a total of 76 tackles.

While a bit undersized for an NFL defensive end, Massaquoi has shown himself to be a sturdy fixture against the run.  His 250 pounds are wrapped up in a 6'2" frame.  

Massaquoi is fast and athletic and figures to be a Day 2 draft selection. 

Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

Few things have been going right for the Boilermakers the past few seasons, but defensive line is certainly one of them.  Kawann Short had a great season in 2010 working with Ryan Kerrigan, and he'll look to elevate his game this season.

Short is a bit short by NFL defensive tackle standards at 6'3", but he's a stout 305 pounds.  He registered six sacks last season, along with 12.5 tackles for loss.  He makes plays defending the run and the pass, making him an attractive commodity in the NFL.

Short currently appears to be a second- or third-round prospect.

Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall

Vinny Curry exploded on the college football scene as a junior with 12 sacks.  Add in 18 tackles for loss, and one of the best edge players in college is emerging.  

He has linebacker size (6'5", 252 pounds), but could end up playing a pass-rushing end in a few 4-3 schemes.  His speed should allow him to play either position, but expect him to be most attractive as an OLB.

He showed he can perform against talent, notching seven tackles and two sacks—along with two forced fumbles—against West Virginia.

Curry will most likely be a Day 2 selection.  His upcoming season will help determine how early in the day he hears his name called.

Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati

What Isaiah Pead lacks in size (5'10", 200 pounds) he makes up for in strength and determination.  He is adept at hitting holes quickly and with power.  He lacks elite top-end speed, though, making him susceptible to being caught.

Pead's greatest attribute could be his value on third down.  He is very good picking up the blitz and has solid hands out of the backfield (26 receptions, 190 yards, one TD).

Pead averaged 6.6 yards per carry last season, totaling 1,029 yards.  He will look to build upon those totals during the upcoming season.  He could push his way into the second round of the 2012 draft.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Perhaps Rutgers is a bit of a stretch to be included, but a 4-8 season last year in the Big East is enough to show the program is struggling.

Mohamed Sanu has been an inconsistent performer at Rutgers.  He put up impressive numbers as a freshman (51 receptions, 639 yards, 12.5 yards per carry, three TDs), but wasn't able to build upon that performance last season (44 receptions, 418 yards, 9.5 yards per carry, two TDs).

He played injured as a sophomore and missed time with a shoulder injury and ankle problems.  Head coach Greg Schiano said Sanu was only at about 60 percent last season.

“He was definitely frustrated, no doubt about it,” said Rick Mantz, Sanu’s coach at South Brunswick High School. “I know it was disappointing to him to have to miss games and to have limited reps in practice. I also think it bothered him because of the type of kid he is. He was frustrated because his team was struggling and he couldn’t help more.”

Sanu, at 6'2" and 215 pounds, is entering his junior year; he has a lot to prove relative to his ability to make the big step up to the NFL. He said: 

"

It was frustrating, just by the fact that I couldn’t do what I wanted to do and people weren’t able to see what I could have done. But I felt I had to help my teammates. I couldn’t worry about myself, so I was focused on doing what I could to help. Maybe this year I’ll be healthy the whole season and we’ll see what happens.

"

Shy of a record-breaking year, Sanu would be best served returning for his senior year to demonstrate he can produce consistently.  He could be a late first- or second-round selection.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Janoris Jenkins gained his notoriety, good and bad, at the University of Florida.  He was All-SEC last season and debated entering the 2011 NFL Draft, but a late season torn labrum in his shoulder prompted him to return to Florida.

Jenkins was dismissed from the team in April after a second misdemeanor charge for marijuana possession.  He received a scholarship at North Alabama after coach Terry Bowden performed his due-diligence with Jenkins' history at Florida.

"I talked to everybody that I could possibly talk to at Florida, who had a relationship with him," Bowden said. "From Urban Meyer to Will Muschamp to Jeremy Foley, they all said he is a guy who made a mistake. But it does not represent his character or his time at Florida. They all thought he deserved a second chance."

So long as Jenkins stays out of trouble this season, NFL teams aren't too likely to avoid drafting him.  He will likely be a second-round selection.