After looking at the elite conference 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 defense.
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DE: Larry Webster, Bloomsburg (PSAC)
Webster jumped onto the radar last season, his only in college football after trading in his final year of eligibility on the Bloomsburg basketball team for two years on the football team. After a 13.5 sack debut in 2012, Webster followed up with 12.5 sacks in his final campaign. Webster has the frame you would expect from a former hoopster, with great length but lacking the preferred bulk for the D-line. Webster has plenty of room for development, which makes him a prime candidate for a fourth round selection.
DE: Ikemefuna Enemkpali, Louisiana Tech (C-USA)
Enemkpali is a bit of an unknown, but has been a four-year starter for the Bulldogs and an All-WAC performer. While he doesn’t offer too much as a pass rusher, Enemkpali is solid against the run and plays with natural leverage as a shorter, stouter lineman.
DT: Caraun Reid, Princeton (Ivy)
Reid is an explosive athlete with plenty of upside getting after the QB. While he is not a stout run defender or a big, strong bull-rusher, Reid can shoot gas and make an impact behind the line of scrimmage. NFL coaching and weight conditioning can enable Reid to become a very valuable situational rusher in a 43 scheme.
DT: Khyri Thornton, Southern Miss (C-USA)
Thornton, like Reid is a good athlete but possesses much better strength and disengagement skills than Reid. Thornton might lack the explosive ability of Reid, but he is a better all-around player would contribute at either DT position in a 43 scheme and could earn more consistent playing time in the NFL.
LB: Khalil Mack, Buffalo (MAC)
Mack is a big-time player at a small-time school, and could very well surpass Dontari Poe as most highly drafted player from a small school in the past few years. What makes Mack such a special prospect is that he can contribute in every aspect of the position: rushing the passer, playing the run, and dropping into coverage. While he may not be better than Anthony Barr, Mack certainly can make an impact quicker, being the more well-rounded player. One concern for Mack is whether or not he can play at full effort for a full 16 game schedule, as he has been able to get away with playing down to inferior competition in the MAC, while getting up for big games Ohio State in 2013.
LB: Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky (SBC)
A squat, thickly built linebacker, Jackson has the ability to live up to his namesake and “stonewall” the ballcarrier at the line of scrimmage. Jackson is a powerful player whose role in the NFL may be as a two-down linebacker. Because he lacks much athleticism and range for the position, Jackson lacks good coverage ability, and is only a decent pass rusher.
LB: Shaquil Barrett, Colorado State (MWC)
Barrett will primarily be a rush linebacker in the NFL, possesses a shorter, bulky frame. While not an ideal linebacker in terms of athleticism, he plays strong and is at his best against the run. Barrett will need to work on his ability to convert his strength into functional ability.
CB: Marcus Williams, North Dakota State (MVC)
Williams was a very highly thought of prospect coming into the season, but has failed to really live up to his billing. He has a physical edge to his game and is a very good athlete, but his instincts and technique are lacking. Williams is at his best in man coverage, but could really struggle when asked to play zone in the NFL.
CB: Kendall James, Maine (AEC)
James is a long, lanky corner but is rail thin and doesn’t demonstrate good strength, even for a corner. While he is good in man coverage, like Williams, he lacks ability in zone. But for all of his shortcomings, James has good ball skills for the secondary to get a look in training camp.
S: Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois (MAC)
Ward is an excellent in coverage, showing good range and decent change-of-direction to play both the man and in zone. Though he has been a very productive player for the Huskies, he lacks NFL size at the safety position and doesn’t have the hands to capitalize on his ability in coverage. Ward also looks like a technical nightmare when trying to bring down the ballcarrier.
S: Ryan Shaw, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC)
Shaw is a solid, all-around player who is at his best in coverage, but can come up and lay the wood in the run game or in zone. While he brings a tougher element to the field, he is not as athletically talented as Ward.
Missed the Cut:
DE: Ethan Westbrooks, West Texas A&M (LSC)
DT: Ryan Carrethers, Arkansas State (SBC)
LB: Derrell Johnson, East Carolina (C-USA)
CB: Lavelle Westbrooks, Georgia Southern (SoCo)
CB: Bene Benwikere, San Jose State (MWC)
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