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

ScottyRo · 04-16-2008, 08:16 AM

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:

Andy Studebaker, OLB, Wheaton (Ill.): Studebaker was poised for a big senior season until a foot injury ended his season after five games. He led the NCAA in sacks as a junior with 17.5, also recording 24.5 tackles for loss that year. He will be running for NFL scouts April 18 and has already visited with five teams, the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills amongst them.

papz · 04-16-2008, 09:45 AM

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.

hagan714 · 04-16-2008, 09:46 AM

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

D_it_up · 04-16-2008, 11:20 AM

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

SmashMouth · 04-16-2008, 11:44 AM

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.

gandhi1007 · 04-16-2008, 07:00 PM

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.

hagan714 · 04-16-2008, 07:45 PM

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

BRSaintsFan · 04-16-2008, 08:07 PM

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.

papz · 04-16-2008, 08:31 PM

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.

QBREES9 · 04-16-2008, 10:37 PM

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.

04-16-2008, 08:16 AM	#1
ScottyRo 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA (ugh, the food here) Posts: 1,704	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: Andy Studebaker, OLB, Wheaton (Ill.): Studebaker was poised for a big senior season until a foot injury ended his season after five games. He led the NCAA in sacks as a junior with 17.5, also recording 24.5 tackles for loss that year. He will be running for NFL scouts April 18 and has already visited with five teams, the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills amongst them.

04-16-2008, 09:45 AM	#2
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744	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.

04-16-2008, 09:46 AM	#3
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y 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

04-16-2008, 11:20 AM	#4
D_it_up Faqda Falcons Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ruston, Louisiana Posts: 3,465 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y A Studebaker could really get the defense's engine revving.....pun intended.

04-16-2008, 11:44 AM	#5
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,125 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y 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.

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04-16-2008, 07:00 PM	#6
gandhi1007 Part Time Pimp Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,967	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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04-16-2008, 07:45 PM	#7
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y 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
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04-16-2008, 08:07 PM	#8
BRSaintsFan 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 449	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.

04-16-2008, 08:31 PM	#9
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744	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.

04-16-2008, 10:37 PM	#10
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Re: Small School "Sleepers" - How many do we get this y 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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