As the Pro Day circuit runs throughout the month of March, the BSN Collegiate Showcase is a unique Combine/all-star game that invites the top “small school” prospects around the country for NFL (as well as CFL and AFL) scouts to see these non-Combine invites in one location.
While it seems unlikely that any of these non-FBS prospects will get drafted, NFL workouts are likely for many players in attendance, based both off Combine testing numbers or by individual workouts, including a 241 pound running back running a 4.57, an experienced zone read quarterback running a 4.66, and a host of other impressive numbers.
-The best two quarterbacks at the Showcase were John Laub of Richmond and Nick Elko of Delaware State. While none of the quarterbacks here will be drafted, Laub showed off his on-film athleticism in drills and workouts (4.66 forty). He ran a lot of read option in college, and if teams can get past his injury concerns from college, he may get a workout. As for Elko, he doesn’t have elite athleticism or arm strength, but he’s very consistent in his short area ball placement, has a compact release, and is composed on film. Both quarterbacks should get NFL tryouts.
-Potentially the top player at the event, the 241 pound running back Kaderius Lacey (no relation to Eddie Lacy) ran a surprisingly fast 4.57 forty yard dash time. That time was better than 14 running backs at the NFL Combine, despite weighing more than all of them. Lacey has some impressive film (actually reminds of a lesser Eddie Lacey) and this number should do enough to garner serious NFL interest.
-Fort Valley State Chris Slaughter was arguably the other top player here, with his 6’3 build, his ability extend away from his frame, and his ability to gather the ball well vertically at a high level. He doesn’t have ideal bulk to win in the short area, but there is already NFL interest in Slaughter, and while it’s highly unlikely he gets drafted, he should have NFL intrigue after the draft.
-Also at the skill positions, tight end David Pawelek of Colorado State, receiver Marquone Edmonds of Indianapolis and Rashad Rich of Bacone (41 inch vertical leap), and running back Marcus Sims of South Dakota (4.42 forty time) all impressed in their combine numbers and in workouts.
-On the line, offensive lineman Tytan Timoteo of Weber State was easily the best offensive lineman. He has the ability to play at guard or center (impressed at tackle, but doesn’t have the length to play there at the NFL level) and was very impressive in his hand strength, anchor strength, and hand placement throughout the workouts on Saturday. He’ll get a chance to impress for NFL teams in rookie camps, and he could stick at an NFL project.
-The top offensive lineman from this group on film was Sherman Carter of Tennessee State at center, and he showed that in-the-box strength. He flashed some short area athletic ability, something he needed to prove over the weekend. Speaking of strength, Bethune-Cookman OG Lavon McCoy carried his 6’6, 380 pound size about as well as he could, looked surprisingly clean in his 40, and put up 36 bench reps. He’s at least worth brining in for a tryout.
-On defense, defensive ends Ben Pister from Missouri Western and Richard Sumlin from Findlay impressed in both their workouts and in drills. Pister is the teammate of David Bass, the Shrine Game stud and Combine invite, and while he didn’t show off enough upper body force in the run game, he bends well for a strong side end, and certainly intrigued. Sumlin played DT in college, but tested through the roof as a defensive end (4.82 short shuttle).
-Also on the defense, Ashland cornerback Mike McMillan, Alabama State defensive end Jimmy Daniels and NC Central Stephen Young have NFL camp upside.
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