NFL Draft: Small schools, big potential
What do Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and Brett Favre have in common?
They’re all current or future Hall of Famers, all arguably were the best to ever play their positions and all played at small or mid-major colleges.
They also are all Mississippi natives who played their college ball in the Magnolia State – Rice at Mississippi Valley State, Payton at Jackson State and Favre at Southern Miss. But that has nothing to do with the point I’m trying to make today – which is that, as the NFL draft approaches next weekend, the sport’s next batch of future Hall of Famers has just as good a chance of emerging from schools such as Troy, Tennessee State or Delaware as from Southern Cal or Michigan.
Here are five prospects from smaller schools who are projected to go high in the draft.
LEODIS McKELVIN, CB, TROY
Notes: He’s widely regarded as the top cornerback in the draft. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. His three punt returns for TDs last year indicate he could be a Deion Sanders type.
When and Where He Might Go: To Baltimore at No. 8 or New Orleans at No. 10
DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE, CB, TENNESSEE STATE
Notes: He has the height (6-1 1/2) and speed (4.33) the scouts love. Has the most upside of any defensive back in the draft, but Rodgers-Cromartie, who played only one year of high school football, is still raw. He is a cousin of San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie.
When and Where He Might Go: To New Orleans at No. 10 or Arizona at No. 16.
TYRELL JOHNSON, S, ARKANSAS STATE
Notes: He’s a hard hitter who can play both the pass and run well. Thought to be a heady player who’s always around the ball.
When and Where He Might Go: To the Giants at No. 31 or Carolina in the second round.
JOE FLACCO, QB, DELAWARE
Notes: He’s widely considered to be the fourth best QB in the draft. At nearly 6-foot-7, he has the prototypical size for an NFL starting quarterback. He’s got a strong arm, is tough and is a good leader. His mobility is lacking, but he has a quick release that can make up for it.
When and Where He Might Go: To Baltimore or Chicago in the second round.
ONIEL COUSINS, OT, TEXAS-EL PASO
Notes: This 6-foot-6, 308-pounder is athletic and has the quick feet coaches love to see in their tackles, although he could play guard, too. Still has a lot of upside. The biggest knock on him, however, is that he’s not yet nasty enough for the NFL.
When and Where He Might Go: To Atlanta or Green Bay in the second round.
