Top FCS prospects for the NFL

[Vidav]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200000 ... -prospects" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are always a handful of players in the NFL draft who make people say, "Who's he?" when they get picked. A lot of times these players come from the smaller, lesser-known schools in the FCS, which obviously don't receive as much national exposure as the bigger programs in the FBS.

This weekend, the FCS playoffs head into the quarterfinal round, and it's another chance for the players to get noticed and improve their stock in the draft, but it's also a chance for scouts and NFL teams to get a closer look and evaluate the players against higher-quality competition.

The knock on FCS players, of course, is that they were not major college recruits, probably because they weren't fast enough or strong enough, and that's why they're in the FCS and not one of the bigger programs. They're good football players, but the quality of play, especially when you observe the overall team speed, generally isn't up to the standard of the FBS schools.

Still, this season alone, nearly a dozen FCS schools have wins over Div. I-A teams, including North Dakota State's win over Kansas State and Eastern Washington's win over Oregon State, both of which happened the first week of the season. There's talent to be found here.

Here's a look at a few FCS players you might not have heard about but have a good chance to play in the NFL soon. The majority of them are seniors, with a couple of underclassmen from Eastern Washington sprinkled in, and you'll have a chance to see a few of them who are still alive in the FCS playoffs this weekend.

[dal4018]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200000 ... -prospects

There are always a handful of players in the NFL draft who make people say, "Who's he?" when they get picked. A lot of times these players come from the smaller, lesser-known schools in the FCS, which obviously don't receive as much national exposure as the bigger programs in the FBS.

This weekend, the FCS playoffs head into the quarterfinal round, and it's another chance for the players to get noticed and improve their stock in the draft, but it's also a chance for scouts and NFL teams to get a closer look and evaluate the players against higher-quality competition.

The knock on FCS players, of course, is that they were not major college recruits, probably because they weren't fast enough or strong enough, and that's why they're in the FCS and not one of the bigger programs. They're good football players, but the quality of play, especially when you observe the overall team speed, generally isn't up to the standard of the FBS schools.

Still, this season alone, nearly a dozen FCS schools have wins over Div. I-A teams, including North Dakota State's win over Kansas State and Eastern Washington's win over Oregon State, both of which happened the first week of the season. There's talent to be found here.

Here's a look at a few FCS players you might not have heard about but have a good chance to play in the NFL soon. The majority of them are seniors, with a couple of underclassmen from Eastern Washington sprinkled in, and you'll have a chance to see a few of them who are still alive in the FCS playoffs this weekend.

Marcus Williams I think is the top defender among FCS players.

[rkwittem]

Marcus Williams I think is the top defender among FCS players.

No, he's not. He wasn't even considered at the top when GameDay visited Fargo. They did a piece on top draft-eligible FCS players, and Williams was #3 overall, behind Flanders and a DB from SE Louisiana (name escapes me). He's not enough of an big-time athlete and the bigger NFL WRs are going to eat him alive. He's too grabby with opponents, and we all know that the NFL doesn't allow this style of player at DB (without calling tons of PI).

I could be wrong, but I'm more willing to bet on McShay as opposed to almost every person who talks like they know anything (including almost every other Bison fan, who apparently think he's a new Deion Sanders- when he's not even close.).

[Willie]

I like how the only comments on the article are from EWU fans.

[clenz]

Marcus Williams I think is the top defender among FCS players.

No, he's not. He wasn't even considered at the top when GameDay visited Fargo. They did a piece on top draft-eligible FCS players, and Williams was #3 overall, behind Flanders and a DB from SE Louisiana (name escapes me). He's not enough of an big-time athlete and the bigger NFL WRs are going to eat him alive. He's too grabby with opponents, and we all know that the NFL doesn't allow this style of player at DB (without calling tons of PI).

I could be wrong, but I'm more willing to bet on McShay as opposed to almost every person who talks like they know anything (including almost every other Bison fan, who apparently think he's a new Deion Sanders- when he's not even close.).

he was owned the entire UNI game. Threw at him all game long with great results

[Gil Dobie]

he was owned the entire UNI game. Threw at him all game long with great results

UNI might have been the 2nd best team in the country had it not been for injuries. The knock on Williams is his tackling. He can cover and grab an int here and there, but he's one of the few Bison the doesn't fundamentally tackle very well.

[Ivytalk]

On the whole, remarkably lukewarm reviews for the FCS draft crop this year.

[clenz]

he was owned the entire UNI game. Threw at him all game long with great results

UNI might have been the 2nd best team in the country had it not been for injuries. The knock on Williams is his tackling. He can cover and grab an int here and there, but he's one of the few Bison the doesn't fundamentally tackle very well.

Vereen ran through, around, and past Williams all game long....

That game changed my opinion of him. For years all I had heard was best cb in the nation, would be fbs all American, drafted in the first 2 rounds no matter what, etc... I don't know he'd have seen the field at UNI if that is what he looked like weekly.... See Andre Martin going from all conference to not seeing the field at UNI...worked out for him though I guess

[Mvemjsunpx]

No, he's not. He wasn't even considered at the top when GameDay visited Fargo. They did a piece on top draft-eligible FCS players, and Williams was #3 overall, behind Flanders and a DB from SE Louisiana (name escapes me). He's not enough of an big-time athlete and the bigger NFL WRs are going to eat him alive. He's too grabby with opponents, and we all know that the NFL doesn't allow this style of player at DB (without calling tons of PI).

I could be wrong, but I'm more willing to bet on McShay as opposed to almost every person who talks like they know anything (including almost every other Bison fan, who apparently think he's a new Deion Sanders- when he's not even close.).

he was owned the entire UNI game. Threw at him all game long with great results

Sounds like Joey Thomas.

[Gil Dobie]

UNI might have been the 2nd best team in the country had it not been for injuries. The knock on Williams is his tackling. He can cover and grab an int here and there, but he's one of the few Bison the doesn't fundamentally tackle very well.

Vereen ran through, around, and past Williams all game long....

That game changed my opinion of him. For years all I had heard was best cb in the nation, would be fbs all American, drafted in the first 2 rounds no matter what, etc... I don't know he'd have seen the field at UNI if that is what he looked like weekly.... See Andre Martin going from all conference to not seeing the field at UNI...worked out for him though I guess

Like I said, it was more about UNI being good than Williams being bad. Kansas St wide-outs also had some big plays on Williams too. The NDSU pass rush makes the D-Backs better than they are.

UNI might have been the 2nd best team in the country had it not been for injuries.

[dal4018]

Marcus Williams I think is the top defender among FCS players.

No, he's not. He wasn't even considered at the top when GameDay visited Fargo. They did a piece on top draft-eligible FCS players, and Williams was #3 overall, behind Flanders and a DB from SE Louisiana (name escapes me). He's not enough of an big-time athlete and the bigger NFL WRs are going to eat him alive. He's too grabby with opponents, and we all know that the NFL doesn't allow this style of player at DB (without calling tons of PI).

I could be wrong, but I'm more willing to bet on McShay as opposed to almost every person who talks like they know anything (including almost every other Bison fan, who apparently think he's a new Deion Sanders- when he's not even close.).

That DB from SE Louisiana is Theo Alexander 6-4 205.Hey I feel Williams could play at the next level but he is not nor should he ever be mentioned in the same sentence as Deion "Primetime"Sanders!!!!! His 40 time is in the 4.5 range Deion could be 70 yrs old and still run faster than this guy!!!! He needs to get with a good speed coach so that 40 time can drop in the 4.3/4.4 range.Alexander is another one that needs a good speed coach as well his 40 is in the 4.7 range which is unacceptable for DB of his size needs to drop in the aforementioned 4.3/4.4 range to be drafted highly.

[clenz]

I've covered this shitt covered this with you before...The 40 is the most overstated measurement on football

[rkwittem]

No, he's not. He wasn't even considered at the top when GameDay visited Fargo. They did a piece on top draft-eligible FCS players, and Williams was #3 overall, behind Flanders and a DB from SE Louisiana (name escapes me). He's not enough of an big-time athlete and the bigger NFL WRs are going to eat him alive. He's too grabby with opponents, and we all know that the NFL doesn't allow this style of player at DB (without calling tons of PI).

I could be wrong, but I'm more willing to bet on McShay as opposed to almost every person who talks like they know anything (including almost every other Bison fan, who apparently think he's a new Deion Sanders- when he's not even close.).

That DB from SE Louisiana is Theo Alexander 6-4 205.Hey I feel Williams could play at the next level but he is not nor should he ever be mentioned in the same sentence as Deion "Primetime"Sanders!!!!! His 40 time is in the 4.5 range Deion could be 70 yrs old and still run faster than this guy!!!! He needs to get with a good speed coach so that 40 time can drop in the 4.3/4.4 range.Alexander is another one that needs a good speed coach as well his 40 is in the 4.7 range which is unacceptable for DB of his size needs to drop in the aforementioned 4.3/4.4 range to be drafted highly.

No, he needs to learn how to cover with his footwork, hips (aka "technique") and not mug the opposing WR. Plenty of "slow" corners have done well in the NFL. In this case, it is the technique that is an issue.

[dal4018]

That DB from SE Louisiana is Theo Alexander 6-4 205.Hey I feel Williams could play at the next level but he is not nor should he ever be mentioned in the same sentence as Deion "Primetime"Sanders!!!!! His 40 time is in the 4.5 range Deion could be 70 yrs old and still run faster than this guy!!!! He needs to get with a good speed coach so that 40 time can drop in the 4.3/4.4 range.Alexander is another one that needs a good speed coach as well his 40 is in the 4.7 range which is unacceptable for DB of his size needs to drop in the aforementioned 4.3/4.4 range to be drafted highly.

No, he needs to learn how to cover with his footwork, hips (aka "technique") and not mug the opposing WR. Plenty of "slow" corners have done well in the NFL. In this case, it is the technique that is an issue.

Not every slow corner had success in the NFL imagine if they had to deal with the likes of "slow pokes"such as Randy Moss,Jake Reed,Joey Galloway,Terry Glenn,Tim Brown all these guys were 4.3 or better in their playing days!!!!!

[Gil Dobie]

Not every slow corner had success in the NFL imagine if they had to deal with the likes of "slow pokes"such as Randy Moss,Jake Reed,Joey Galloway,Terry Glenn,Tim Brown all these guys were 4.3 or better in their playing days!!!!!

Moss was 4.3 when he felt like it, and played when he felt like it. He could have been a much better player with a better attitude towards the game.

[rkwittem]

No, he needs to learn how to cover with his footwork, hips (aka "technique") and not mug the opposing WR. Plenty of "slow" corners have done well in the NFL. In this case, it is the technique that is an issue.

Not every slow corner had success in the NFL imagine if they had to deal with the likes of "slow pokes"such as Randy Moss,Jake Reed,Joey Galloway,Terry Glenn,Tim Brown all these guys were 4.3 or better in their playing days!!!!!

Terry Glenn was not a 4.3 guy. I'm an OSU fan, but that's not true at all. You just don't get it. Cornerback isn't about long speed. It's not as though WR's run fly routes every play. CB, just like every other position, is as much about skill as it is about athletic ability. That's why guys like Ty Law, Charles Woodson, Ronde Barber, among others, had such good, long careers. Their game was built on skill as much as it was on athleticism. Having short-term closing speed, instincts, a high football IQ, fluid hips and COD ability is so much more important than 40 times. Ever wonder why scouts measure the 40 at the combine on 10-yardchunks? That's why.

[clenz]

To dal everything is about speed...no matter the position of the player.

He has spent more time talking about the 40 time of OL than technique, foot speed, lateral quickness, etc...

I laid out, not long ago, the top 10 fastest 40 times on combine history...and only 1 of them was real successful in the nfl with another having had 2 or 3 good years but nothing else

[dal4018]

Not every slow corner had success in the NFL imagine if they had to deal with the likes of "slow pokes"such as Randy Moss,Jake Reed,Joey Galloway,Terry Glenn,Tim Brown all these guys were 4.3 or better in their playing days!!!!!

Terry Glenn was not a 4.3 guy. I'm an OSU fan, but that's not true at all. You just don't get it. Cornerback isn't about long speed. It's not as though WR's run fly routes every play. CB, just like every other position, is as much about skill as it is about athletic ability. That's why guys like Ty Law, Charles Woodson, Ronde Barber, among others, had such good, long careers. Their game was built on skill as much as it was on athleticism. Having short-term closing speed, instincts, a high football IQ, fluid hips and COD ability is so much more important than 40 times. Ever wonder why scouts measure the 40 at the combine on 10-yardchunks? That's why.

If Glenn was not a 4.3 man in the 40 then what was he I remember hearing this about him.Yes technique is important never said it wasn't but if you don't have recovery speed you as a DB will be in for a long day!!!!

[dal4018]

To dal everything is about speed...no matter the position of the player.

He has spent more time talking about the 40 time of OL than technique, foot speed, lateral quickness, etc...

I laid out, not long ago, the top 10 fastest 40 times on combine history...and only 1 of them was real successful in the nfl with another having had 2 or 3 good years but nothing else

As stated before I know technique is important never said it wasn't but you can't forget that overall speed is a necessity in football.

[dal4018]

Not every slow corner had success in the NFL imagine if they had to deal with the likes of "slow pokes"such as Randy Moss,Jake Reed,Joey Galloway,Terry Glenn,Tim Brown all these guys were 4.3 or better in their playing days!!!!!

Moss was 4.3 when he felt like it, and played when he felt like it. He could have been a much better player with a better attitude towards the game.

Okay granted when he played vs Dallas yes that blazing speed was put on display for everyone to see.

[dal4018]

UNI might have been the 2nd best team in the country had it not been for injuries. The knock on Williams is his tackling. He can cover and grab an int here and there, but he's one of the few Bison the doesn't fundamentally tackle very well.

Vereen ran through, around, and past Williams all game long....

That game changed my opinion of him. For years all I had heard was best cb in the nation, would be fbs all American, drafted in the first 2 rounds no matter what, etc... I don't know he'd have seen the field at UNI if that is what he looked like weekly.... See Andre Martin going from all conference to not seeing the field at UNI...worked out for him though I guess

Maybe he started to read his press clippings just a bit too much!!!!

[Screamin_Eagle174]

UNI might have been the 2nd best team in the country had it not been for injuries. The knock on Williams is his tackling. He can cover and grab an int here and there, but he's one of the few Bison the doesn't fundamentally tackle very well.

Vereen ran through, around, and past Williams all game long....

That game changed my opinion of him. For years all I had heard was best cb in the nation, would be fbs all American, drafted in the first 2 rounds no matter what, etc... I don't know he'd have seen the field at UNI if that is what he looked like weekly.... See Andre Martin going from all conference to not seeing the field at UNI...worked out for him though I guess

EWU's WRs will do that to him all day long.

[clenz]

Vereen ran through, around, and past Williams all game long....

That game changed my opinion of him. For years all I had heard was best cb in the nation, would be fbs all American, drafted in the first 2 rounds no matter what, etc... I don't know he'd have seen the field at UNI if that is what he looked like weekly.... See Andre Martin going from all conference to not seeing the field at UNI...worked out for him though I guess

EWU's WRs will do that to him all day long.

without question. He is, without a doubt, the most overhyped player I've seen

[Grizalltheway]

Vereen ran through, around, and past Williams all game long....

That game changed my opinion of him. For years all I had heard was best cb in the nation, would be fbs all American, drafted in the first 2 rounds no matter what, etc... I don't know he'd have seen the field at UNI if that is what he looked like weekly.... See Andre Martin going from all conference to not seeing the field at UNI...worked out for him though I guess

EWU's WRs will do that to him all day long.

Will they

[rkwittem]

EWU's WRs will do that to him all day long.

Guess you'll never get to know.