While the Battle of Florida, Players All-Star Classic, Shrine Game, and Senior Bowl may have seemed like the last of the top NFL Draft All-Star events, Optimum Scouting will be once again at an event that features NFL hopefuls.
The Beyond Sports Network Collegiate showcase features over 100 prospects from non-FBS schools that are doing Combine testing, individual drills, and have a game situation on Sunday. Here are the prospects to watch for in our coverage.
Top Overall Prospects:
1. Rico Wallace, WR, Shenandoah
The top division III prospect in this year’s draft, Rico Wallace dominated his competition this year. His mix of length, catch-radius, stride through the catch, and run after catch ability is unique to the Division III level. He’ll need to showcase that ability this weekend, but NFL teams that do their small school homework are or should know how talented Rico Wallace is.
2. Stephen Peyton, SS, Brown
A well-built, aggressive safety, Peyton’s short area instinctiveness and reaction stood out all year in the Ivy League, making him likely the most impactful defensive back in a conference that featured a handful of fringe NFL prospects. He’ll need to show a smoothness in his depths along with explosiveness in his change of direction if he hopes to land on an NFL roster, however.
3. Keir Jeter, DE, Edinboro
Jeter has the extension ability and balance through contact to fit into some NFL schemes, but his less than exciting combination of smallish size and lack of explosiveness change of direction worries on film. If he can show he’s explosive and can keep his speed through rushes (especially in drills), he’ll get more NFL looks as an undrafted free agent.
4. Willie McGinnis, DT, Rhode Island
While McGinnis doesn’t have the elite burst off the ball and doesn’t consistently generate effective pass rush, it’s the times he flashes despite not being a fantastic athlete as well as his ability to hold ground and react well in the short area run game that has kept me intrigued. If he can show he’s powerful at the point of the attack, has some explosive qualities, and can consistently get pass rush this week, he could show he has the talent that’s worth developing.
5. Casey Therriault, QB, Jackson State
Therriault has solid NFL size, arm strength to make most if not all of the NFL throws, and is a talented athlete when asked to get use his feet in and out of the pocket. While he’s not a finished product as a passer, has patches of inconsistency with his accuracy, and has a back-story featured on Optimum Scouting back in October that leaves scouts curious yet cautious about his NFL prospects.
Others to Watch:
John vanden Raadt, QB, Azusa Pacific
Dante Warren, QB/WR, South Dakota
Rashaad Slowly, RB, S. Connecticut State
Justin Aldredge, FB, NW State
Demario Barber, WR, Fort Valley State
Simmie Yarborough, WR, SE Louisiana
Anthony Buffolino, OG, Lafayette
Matt Ulrich, DT, Winona State
Robert De La Rosa, DT, Bucknell
Emory Attig, DT, Eastern Kentucky
Nick Clark, OLB, Alfred
Ryan Roberts, OLB, Indiana State
Taylor Selby, OLB, Concordia St. Paul
Zach Sheridan, OLB, Slippery Rock
Nick Webb, ILB, Weber State
Brandon Harvey, ILB, Delaware State
Jayah Kai-Samba, CB, Georgetown
Logan Kerr, CB, Ashland
Darien Williams, S, Abilene Christian
Cody Eich, S, Minnesota Duluth
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