Small-school prospects

The NFP highlights some of the nation’s top small-school prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft and breaks down which players are ready to make the jump to the next level.

QB John Skelton, Fordham (6-5, 242)

Skelton is a tall, well-built quarterback with a strong arm and a lot of upside to his game. He’s thrown for 940 yards and six touchdowns in his first three games this season and could really make his way up the weak senior quarterback class if he performs well during postseason workouts.

QB/WR Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State (5-11, 185)

APQB/WR Armanti Edwards

If there’s one thing we know about Armanti Edwards, it’s that the guy is an electric football player who knows how to make plays with the ball in his hands. Edwards has rushed for over 900 yards and thrown for over 1,900 each of his first three seasons at Appalachian State. At 5-11, becoming a starting QB in the NFL doesn’t seem to be in his future. However, he certainly has the athleticism to make the move to WR and/or take snaps as a wildcat quarterback at the next level.

WR Andre Roberts, Citadel (5-11, 180)

Roberts showcases impressive balance and body control as a route runner and consistently is able to create separation vs. man. In two of his first three games this season, he’as caught 10 or more balls and looks like a guy who could draw some interest as a potential mid-round pick.

TE Scott Sicko, New Hampshire (6-4, 242)

Sicko is a natural pass catcher who has hauled in 50 passes for 600-plus yards in each of the past two seasons. He possesses a long frame but runs well for his size and showcases a real feel for the pass game. Looks like an intriguing late-round prospect who could end up contributing to an NFL offense.

OT Derek Hardman, Eastern Kentucky (6-6, 300)

A smart, athletically gifted lineman who looks like a man among boys in the Ohio Valley Conference. Hardman showcases smooth footwork with the body control and balance to consistently reach the edge and redirect in space. He also displays good toughness in the run game and looks ready for a jump in competition. This is one guy who could really move up draft boards if he plays well in postseason all-star games.

OT Jared Veldheer, Hillsdale (6-8, 321)

Veldheer looks like a star at Division-II Hillsdale College in Michigan. He’s a 6-8, 321-pound tackle who not only has the power to consistently destroy defenders in the run game, he also showcases impressive athletic ability and is said to run a sub-4.9 40. There aren’t too many offensive tackles at any level with this kid’s combination of size and speed, and he’s got enough upside to intrigue the scouting community.

DE/OLB Austen Lane, Murray State (6-6, 258)

Lane has picked up right where he left off last season for Murray State, recording four sacks in the team’s first four games. He finished last season with 12 sacks, and his combination of length and burst off the edge should certainly intrigue both 4-3 and 3-4 teams looking for a developmental late-round pass rusher.

OLB Larry Hart, Central Arkansas (6-0, 242)

Hart is an undersized DE on the Central Arkansas defense who will be asked to make the transition to OLB at the next level. He’s a thickly built kid with a good initial burst and knows how to get after the QB. He recorded 12 sacks a year ago and already has 4½ through three games in 2009.

CB/FS Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Indiana, Pa. (6-1, 195)

Owusu-Ansah is a gifted size/speed athlete who plays at another gear compared to the rest of his D-II competition. He finished the 2008 season with eight interceptions and 10 pass breakups and has the ability to develop into a NFL-caliber defensive back at the next level.

S Quinton Andrews, Northern Alabama (5-11, 215)

Andrews was a former freshman All-American and three-year starter at West Virginia before transferring to Northern Alabama in 2009. He’s a well-built kid who definitely possesses the athletic ability to play in an NFL secondary. However, he does have some character concerns, which ultimately led to his departure from the West Virginia program.

APQB Ryan Perrilloux

Other seniors to watch:

QB Ryan Perrilloux, Jacksonville State (6-2, 228)
QB Matt Nichols, Eastern Washington (6-2, 220)
RB Joique Bell, Wayne State (5-11, 224)
RB William Ford, South Carolina State (5-9, 188)
TE Nathan Overbay, Eastern Washington (6-5, 270)
WR Pat Simonds, Colgate (6-6, 222)
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon (6-2, 232)
OT Tony Washington, Abilene Christian (6-6, 305)
DE/OLB Junior Galette, Stillman (6-2, 255)
CB Patrick Stoudamire, Western Illinois (5-11, 198)

Three juniors to keep an eye on:

QB Pat Devlin, Delaware (6-4, 220)
DT Kenrick Ellis, Hampton (6-5, 340)
CB Justin Rogers, Richmond (5-10, 176)

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