Small school draft prospects poised to make a big NFL impact
from Seth Trachtman with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
CLICK HERE to see the photos of the players listed below…
We need to get them to add Thomas Hennigan(Northwest Guilford High School/Appalachian State University) to this list…
Thomas fits in here at around 6’3/215 and is one of the top all-time receivers in APP State football history…
Thomas is an unreal possession receiver, and when he gets his hands on the ball, that ball is his, and his yards after the catch are money in the bank…
Money in the Bank, that is what Thomas Hennigan could mean to one of these NFL teams, come Draft Day 2022…We have added Thomas to the list, he is now listed, and enjoy this List, with Thomas Hennigan at the Top-of-the-List….
The NFL prospects from big college programs get most of the hype, but every NFL draft brings significant contributors from smaller schools. These 25 prospects are just some of the small school players who could help in 2022 and beyond.
Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State
Araiza is likely to be a rare punter drafted after averaging over 51 yards per punt last season. He also served as San Diego State’s placekicker.
Dai’Jean Dixon, WR, Nicholls State
Dixon was able to make a name for himself at Nicholls State as a big, productive player. He has a chance to be drafted on Day 3.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada
Doubs was highly productive over the last two seasons, with over 1,000 yards and 20 total touchdowns. He also had 80 catches in 11 games last season.
Aqeel Glass, QB, Alabama A&M
Glass produced huge numbers at Alabama A&M over four seasons, including over 3,500 yards passing and 36 touchdowns last year. He has the arm strength and size to receive consideration on Day 3.
Luke Goedeke, OT, Central Michigan
Goedeke has moved from tight end to tackle, showing the consistency to get NFL attention. At 6-foot-4, he could move inside once more to guard.
Jeffrey Gunter, DE, Coastal Carolina
Gunter was a consistent pass rusher for Coastal Carolina over the last three seasons, with 17 sacks over that time. He has enough size to serve as a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker.
D’Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State
Jackson ascended during his career at App State, peaking with 119 tackles and six sacks last season. Older than much of the competition, Jackson could be a Day 3 selection.
Eric Johnson, DT, Missouri State
Johnson shows potential as an interior pass rusher after impressing at the postseason all-star games. He could be selected early in Day 3 if his workouts continue to go well.
Travis Jones, DT, UConn
Jones is a mammoth on the interior, listed at over 330 pounds. He had a strong final season for the Huskies with 4.5 sacks and 48 tackles, making him an interesting mid-round prospect.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
Likely put himself on the map with an excellent senior season, recording 59 catches for 912 yards and 12 touchdowns. The productive receiver could be an early Day 3 pick.
DeAngelo Malone, OLB, Western Kentucky
Malone recorded a staggering 32.5 sacks over five seasons at Western Kentucky. He’s slightly undersized to serve as a 4-3 defensive end but could serve as a pass rush specialist in a 3-4 scheme.
Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
McBride has a good chance to be the first tight end selected in the draft, and even late first-round consideration isn’t out of the question. He had a spectacular 2021 season with 90 catches for 1,121 yards.
Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
Mitchell has the size to stick at tackle and is considered a prospect for either side. He could be picked as early as Day 2.
Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
Moore is a fit in the slot due to his lack of size, but he was certainly productive in college. He finished last season with 95 catches for 1,292 yards and 10 touchdowns and was also a key part of the Western Michigan offense over the previous two years.
Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
Muma was one of the most productive linebackers in the country last season, finishing with 142 tackles and three interceptions. He doesn’t have the athleticism of some of the early-round tackles but could be a useful find on Day 3.
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Penning is considered one of the top tackle prospects available with a strong possibility to be drafted in the first round. He has plenty of experience after three years start at left tackle and the size to dominate at that spot.
Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Raimann moved from tight end to tackle, and the projectability could push him up many draft boards. The Austrian native appears to be a Day 2 pick who could even sneak into the late first round.
Cole Strange, OG, Chattanooga
Strange is a strong mid-round guard prospect standing at 6-foot-4. He’s performed well against top competition, and a move to center could also be a possibility.
Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
The highly accurate Strong would likely be an early-round pick if not for his injury issues. He completed over 70% of his passes in back-to-back seasons and also threw 36 touchdowns in 2021.
Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
Tolbert is a significant deep threat, capping off his college career with 82 catches for 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He manages to stand out despite a deep wide receiver class as a potential Day 2 pick.
Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State
Thomas is coming into the draft with a lot of momentum after recording 10.5 sacks and 71 tackles last season. He profiles well as a 4-3 defensive end who could be drafted on Day 2.
Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
Turner was a strong Red Zone target for Carson Strong, recording 19 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He’s put enough on tape to be a Day 3 pick.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Watson’s great size at 6-foot-4 and college production has put him on the radar despite a deep draft class. His lack of top-end speed will likely push Watson to Day 3.
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Willis has a chance to be the first quarterback drafted in 2022 after two excellent seasons at Liberty. He still needs to improve his throwing accuracy, but Willis has elite athleticism to help lead an offense.
Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
Converted from wide receiver to cornerback, Woolen is still very raw but provides major intrigue as a press corner with his 6-foot-3 height. He appears to be a Day 3 developmental project.