After looking at the elite conferences in college football last week, we turn our attention to lower echelons, which include the Mountain West, the Sun Belt, Conference USA, and the MAC, along with a few prospects from the FCS and Division-II level. On both sides of the ball are elite prospects which could find themselves in the Top 10 come May in Derek Carr and Khalil Mack. Today’s focus is on offense.
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QB: Derek Carr, Fresno State (MWC)
A player who has impressed more and more as the season has progressed, Carr has made himself into a legitimate franchise QB prospect. Carr has not played against top-tier competition on a game-in-game-out basis, and is not at the cerebral level of Andrew Luck, or the accuracy level of fellow prospect Teddy Bridgewater, but he has demonstrated elite tools from the QB position. Carr is a very similar prospect to Matthew Stafford and could likely have similar successes and failures in the NFL as the former number one pick.
RB: Dri Archer, Kent State (MAC)
A small player with big speed, Archer is a dangerous player in space, exhibiting elite burst and agility to elude would be tacklers. While he does not have good hands as a pass catcher, Archer may find himself in a sub-package role that would look to get him to the outside either by handoff or through the air. He also demonstrates the ability to be an effective returner, possibly his most viable role at the next level.
RB: Tim Flanders, Sam Houston State (SoCo)
Like Archer, Flanders is short in stature, but has a much better frame. However, this does not necessarily translate to power as a runner, as he goes down fairly easily and does not move the pile. Flanders does have exceptional movement skills and hands and does a good job of securing the football.
WR: Robert Herron, Wyoming (MWC)
Herron has very good physical tools to be a starting receiver in the NFL, with good hands and even better speed. He needs to clean up his route-running and get stronger as a player in order to realize his potential. One aspect that Herron can’t escape is his short frame and issues with staying healthy for a full college season, let alone a longer NFL schedule.
WR: Ryan Grant, Tulane (C-USA)
Grant has been a very productive player for the Green Wave and has shown very good hands in his time there. Coupled with his exceptional route-running ability, Grant could cling to a roster or practice squad as a reliable last option. He is two years away from a hernia surgery which sidelined him for the entire season, but his durability might still be examined by evaluators.
TE: Rob Branchflower, Massachusetts (MAC)
Branchflower is not an athlete, put he is a strong and dependable in both aspects of the tight end game. He has very good hands and is willing to work the middle of the field, along with good technique and effort as a blocker. He will likely stick as second or even third TE which means he will need to get stronger and commit most of his effort as a blocker, catching an occasional pass as a safety valve.
OL: Billy Turner, North Dakota State (MVC)
Turner is a big and aggressive lineman who showcases surprising movement skills. Like most FCS linemen, Turner needs a lot of technical work, especially with his pad level. With improvement, Turner could end up as a swing tackle or even a starting right tackle.
OL: Kadeem Edwards, Tennessee State (OVC)
Another FCS prospect, Edwards has surprisingly good hands and feet for a guard prospect. He is better in pass pro than as a run blocker at this point, but if he can improve his functional strength and become more than a positional blocker, Edwards can become an asset in the run game.
OL: Weston Richburg, Colorado State (MWC)
Richburg could be the best OL prospect from the non-AQ schools and could become a very good center at the next level. Richburg is a tenacious player who gives fantastic effort on every play. A very good pass blocker, Richburg could improve his overall strength in order to anchor better against three man fronts and create more movement in the run game.
OL: Tyler Larson, Utah State (MWC)
Larson is a very good-sized center prospect who could even play at guard. Larson is a good pass blocker and athlete considering his frame, but is very disappointing in one aspect of the game. The Aggies center appears to be very lackadaisical and disinterested while on the field and does not seem to be playing with much effort. This likely does not bode well for his draft stock, but if Larson ever gets his head in the game he could a starting-caliber center.
OL: Cody Booth, Troy (SBC)
Booth is a very raw and lean prospect who needs plenty of development in order to be even a backup in the NFL. However, he has very good athleticism and movement skills for an O-lineman, which could be intriguing for a zone blocking team. Booth can also contribute as a long snapper, which might be his ceiling as a pro.
Missed the Cut:
QB: David Fales, San Jose State (MWC)
QB: Jimmy Garapollo, Eastern Illinois (OVC)
RB: Isaiah Crowell,* Alabama State (SWAC)
WR: Matt Hazel, Coastal Carolina (BSC)
TE: Justin Jones, East Carolina (C-USA)
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