Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this year?
 

I saw this article and the question immediately came to mind. If the way the past two drafts have gone remains the same this year, then we can certainly expect to have one or two of these guys.

Tony Pauline: Small-school sleepers in draft - SI.com - 2008 NFL Draft

One on that list that I am interested in is:

Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y
 

I haven't even bothered to look at small school prospect this year... Hagan's more into those guys. But you know we're good for at least one every year.

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Andy Studebaker, OLB, Wheaton (Ill.):

Sleeper nothing he is all over the place now. I will be surprised if he is there in round 5

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A Studebaker could really get the defense's engine revving.....pun intended.

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That Tackle for Miss Valley and the G/C from Hofstra wouldn't be bad either ...


Quote:

Thaddeus Coleman, T, Mississippi Valley State: Coleman could well be the best-kept secret at the offensive tackle position. He stands a shade under 6-8 yet has the athleticism and footwork necessary to protect the blind side. Coleman is fresh off meeting with the Minnesota Vikings and has a host of other squads who want to speak with him.

Shawn McMackin, G, Hofstra: McMackin is one of the most athletically gifted offensive linemen in the draft. His ability to be used at tackle or guard is added value. McMackin's physical skills have caught the attention of a number of zone blocking teams, including the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.


:handguns:

Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y
 

Here are my late round sleepers this year:

Marcus Monk (WR-Arkansas)- If he's healthy, he's everything I saw in Colston. He's a projected 4th rounder or later. I absolutely love this guy!

Kerry Brown (OG-Appalachian State)- This guy dominated division I-AA. Can you say J'Hari Evans? If you doubt his play against bigger schools, watch the Michigan game. He abused Michigan's D-line.

Heath Benedict (OT-Newberry College)- Probably a OG in the pros, but he's big, strong, & very NFL ready.

John Greco (OT-Toledo)- Another possible OG in the NFL. This guy is a monster! Very strong, aggressive, & smart. Probably a 5-6 rounder.

Jeremy Thompson (DE-Wake Forest)- Projected 4-5 rounder. Fast, athletic, & strong. Very good DE in pass rush. Could be a steal.

Vince Redd (OLB-Liberty College)- One of my favorite second day prospects in the draft. 6'6" 263 lbs. & runs a 4.56 forty! This guy is pure athlete & he's a sure tackler. Could play DE in the pros.

Brandon Carr (CB-Grand Valley State)- 6'0" 200 lbs. & runs a 4.37 forty. If he is fully recovered from knee injuries, he has the athleticism & awareness to start in the NFL.

Al Phillips (Wagner College)- 17 career INT's (7 last year), & nobody threw to his side of the field. This is my favorite late round CB prospect by far. He absolutely shut down competition to the point they did not throw in his direction. Ran a 4.39 at his pro day & is considered a top flight return man as well. Also...he was a 1st team all Northeast Conference CB for three years in a row.

Best I could do on short notice. Hope this helps.

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Kerry Brown
Vince Redd
Brandon Carr
Al Phillips

Nice list gahndi. i like these guys as projects also.

DT
Letroy Guion Florida St. 6-33/8 303 5.36
Nick Hayden Wisconsin 6-37/8 291 5.17
Keilen Dykes West Virginia 6-5 295 5.00

DE
Chase Ortiz T.C.U. 6-2 249 4.88
Brian Johnston Gardner-Webb 6-5 280 4.66

CB
Brian Witherspoon, Stillman, 5105, 180 4.25

S
DaJuan Morgan, North Carolina St., 6011, 205, 4.54
Pig Brown Missouri 5-11 205 4.55
Michael Eubanks, Delta State, 5112, 193lbs, 4.55

OLB
Bryan Smith, McNeese State, 6029, 240lbs, 4.57
Kelly Poppinga, BYU, 6020, 240
OLB/DE Vincent Redd, Liberty, 6060, 263, 4.50

TE
JARED BRONSON, CENTRAL WASHINGTON, 6041, 253, 4.62
Drew Atchison, William & Mary, 6056, 247lbs, 4.74

Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y
 

Hagan, what is your take on Tyvon Branch from Uconn. Hes not necessarily from a small school and probably wouldnt be considered a sleeper. Ive seen him in the 3rd round in a few mock drafts although USA Today for some reason pegged him as a 1st rounder in the their writeup yesterday. Hes got the size/speed ratio you look for, but the knock on him seems to be his relative weakness in ball skills so he might not be a great fit for a man coverage scheme. But the measurables are certainly top notch. Hes just over 5"11 and a well built 205 and ran around a 4.3. In those aspects, hes a little short than DRC but a bigger CB who is similar in speed.

Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y
 

You pretty much covered it yourself.

If we decide not to take a DT within the first 3 rounds, Guion is also a guy I've been looking hard at... though he isn't exactly small school. Monk would be a nice add... excellent pro day. That Dykes kid measureable looks like a pretty good late round gamble too.

That Al Phillips kids looks intriguing and I've always like Greco.

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Shawn McMackin, G, Hofstra: McMackin is one of the most athletically gifted offensive linemen in the draft. His ability to be used at tackle or guard is added value. McMackin's physical skills have caught the attention of a number of zone blocking teams, including the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.

Tyvon Branch from Uconn. Hes not necessarily from a small school and probably wouldnt be considered a sleeper. Ive seen him in the 3rd round in a few mock drafts although USA Today for some reason pegged him as a 1st rounder in the their writeup yesterday. Hes got the size/speed ratio you look for, but the knock on him seems to be his relative weakness in ball skills so he might not be a great fit for a man coverage scheme. But the measurables are certainly top notch. Hes just over 5"11 and a well built 205 and ran around a 4.3. In those aspects, hes a little short than DRC but a bigger CB who is similar in speed.

UCONN Huskies !!!! I watched him play last year. UConn still consider a small school.

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I like him

19. Tyvon Branch, Connecticut, 5113, 204, 4.31, 19, (CB/S/KR)
Outstanding timed speed. Has terrific size and bulk. Return ability. Get the picture. Speed, speed and speed! He is also a great athlete. For a tall corner he has pretty good flexibility, and turn and go ability. Good instincts and awareness. Smart with a great football IQ. He will come up and support the run. He is tough, physical reliable tackler. He should also contribute as a special teams ace. A respected team leader. Three-year starter with a lot of experience. Young, with a lot of upside left.
Not a very solid technique guys as a CB at this stage. Hips aren't fluid and he struggles to transition. He does not have very good hands or ball skills and can gets outsmarted. Is not a playmaker. He is out of position a lot. Needs to mature physically. Does a much better job in zone coverage than he does in man. Doesn't always play up to his measurables. Workout Warrior with prototypical triangle numbers. May not be a perfect fit for every team
More of developmental ht/wt/speed guy at this point, but has the tools to really develop. He could be forced to make a position change, being looked at as a potential safety. Snuck up on people as a pro prospect but he really is the total package.
Also ...As a prep he was named the Gatorade New York State Track Athlete of the Year and won the 2004 National Indoor Track Championship in the 60 meters (6.82)..
Was arrested in May of 2005 when he and some teammates shot out a car window with a B.B. gun.

CB in the 2008 Draft: Rounds 4/5 - Black and Gold Forums

I ranked him early as a 4/5 guy but with work outs at pro day he has moved into the 3/4 range. FS is where I would place him. To bad we do not have a pick in 4 if he was there I would take him. We would have to trade down or reach big time in 3 to get him.

I am hoping for
Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky, 6007, 195, 4.40, 23, 37.5 (CB/S)
to be around in the third

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I say NOOOO to any CB with the last name Molden!!!!!!! :)

great prospect for 5th round - if he is there
 

some have him going earlier some have him late 5th - I think he would be a great value....

Wesley Woodward, Kentucky - OLB

NFL Events: Draft Player Profiles - Wesley Woodyard

Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y
 

Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y
 

Well done with the Studebaker.

Woodyard is a bit undersized (height and weight) but with some work in the weight room could develop into a solid player. Would be a strong special teams player from the get go. Personally, I think he is a better fit for a Cover 2 scheme but you certainly cant deny the production in the SEC with over 350 tackles in 3 years as a regular in the lineup.

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Come on let the past go. Besides his name first name is not alex