Draft 2020: Big Prospects from Small Schools
by Jay Evans
January 31, 2020
The best stories are always of the triumphant nature. The underestimated frail wunderkind overcomes painstaking fear and takes down the insecure bully with precision instead of brute force. The story is as old as time and nothing has changed. There aren’t many things better than rooting for the little guy to overcome exceptionally long odds.
The Redskins have been keen on some of the biggest programs in college football, utilizing Power-Five programs like Alabama and Ohio State to fill their talent pools. Phillip Thomas, Fresno State, in 2013 was the last player drafted in the top four rounds (119th overall) to be drafted from outside a Power-Five conference, but in recent season the Redskins have found talent in the later rounds from some of the smaller programs throughout the country.
Starting in the Super Bowl for the Kansas City Chiefs is center Austin Reiter from South Florida, who the Redskins drafted 222nd overall in 2015. Matt Ioannidis out of Temple and Ryan Grant from Tulane were both found in the fifth round, and fan favorites Trey Quinn, SMU, and Jimmy Moreland, JMU, have been selected in the seventh round of the past two drafts.
Good talent can be found everywhere. Not all of these programs are unknown schools in the football world, but competition is not as fierce in the AAC as it is in the SEC-East and these prospects could make huge gains in the coming months and make even more noise come next season. Below is a list of prospects available in this year’s draft who are from small programs but have big talent.
Kyle Dugger, DB, Lenoir-Rhyne
At nearly 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds, Duggar has been timed at 4.41 and 4.45 in the 40-yard dash. With a broad jump of 10 feet, 11 inches, he is not the typical athlete you see coming from Division II. The defensive back totaled 237 tackles, 36 passes, and ten interceptions in 42 career games.
Dugger had been on scouts’ radars for a while, but his performance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile has thrust the versatile safety into the mainstream. The small school prospect, unfazed by the competition from more prominent programs, came away as one of the true standouts for the entire week.
Dugger was on the field in one-on-one situations as a corner. His athleticism is more than adequate to fit into nickel position or rotate into safety looks. Dugger was also featured as a punt returner throughout the week, providing more value as a special teamer.
No longer an unknown quantity, Dugger has firmly entrenched himself in the top-100 picks in April. A decent combine performance could push him into the second round.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, OLB, Appalachian State
Davis-Gaither has transformed from a 5-foot-10, 170-pound, two-star safety to a chiseled 6-foot-1, 219-pound renaissance linebacker. ADG is the undersized linebacker every team in the league is desperate to acquire and could be a very valuable piece earlier in his career than other players who will be selected earlier.
In 2019, ADG totaled 104 tackles (14.5 for loss), five sacks, eight pass breakups, six quarterback hits, and an interception in 2019.
An instinctive ball player, ADG is active as a pass rusher and can come on some creative blitzes. ADG is especially valuable in space where his long arms and natural athleticism allow him to check running backs and tight ends down the field.
Whichever team drafts the linebacker, they are going to utilize Davis-Gaither in a non-traditional role. With an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl, which included Practice Player of the Week honors, ADG’s is a soaring stock and a combine performance that turns heads could propel the Mountaineer into the second round.
Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
The hype around Adam Trautman has been rumbling for months. The FCS product stands at 6-foot-5, 251-pounds, and has a chance to be the first tight end selected in the NFL draft.
In 2019, Trautman corralled in 916 yards and 14 touchdowns. Trautman arrived at the Senior Bowl and consistently displayed the shifty route running scouts have come to expect. The former Flyer has the physicality to stretch the field and capability to be a reliable pass catcher in any offense.
The tight end is fluid in his cuts and was a matchup nightmare in Senior Bowl practices. Crisp routes and technical play allow Trautman to escape tight coverage. His ability to high point the ball in the air and expand his catch radius separates him from most of his contemporaries in this class.
Trautman isn’t known as a mauler in the run game. Dayton didn’t ask him to do a ton of inline blocking as they moved him around field to create advantageous matchups. Trautman was a gutsy blocker who fought hard all week in the blocking game and displayed a willingness to get his body in the fray.
No longer a sleeper, Trautman is likely to be one of the earliest tight ends off the board somewhere in the second round.
Mitchell Wilcox, TE, USF
South Florida isn’t a small school, but it sits outside of the Power-Five conferences and therefore qualifies for my arbitrary list. After producing eleven draftable players from 2013-2018, zero players were selected in last year’s draft, but that seems to more of an aberration.
Mitchell Wilcox is a versatile weapon with a knack for finding room in the middle of the field. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end is an intriguing prospect who could be a valuable weapon in the pass game and serve as an H-back for flex offenses.
Unafraid of contact, Wilcox is a natural receiver who impresses with body control when going up for contested balls, but is not going to run away from the speed of NFL defenders. He needs to add strength to his lower half to become an inline blocker, but has shown the willingness to engage and could find a home as a potential move piece as an H-back blocker in the run game may suit his athleticism.
Wilcox is slippery enough to escape the backfield and pose matchup problems in short yardage, but is limited after the catch. He might not be as big as his listed numbers at the combine. Draft projections aren’t set for Wilcox, but at this point he looks no higher than a late fifth round prospect, but he could be someone who could fill in as a reserve in a couple roles.
Harrison Bryant, TE, FAU
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound slot receiver is a tight end in name only, but is no small prospect. Bryant became the first non-Power-Five player to win the John Mackey Award and first FAU player in program history to be unanimously voted All-American.
Bryant is a flex-position nightmare on the field. He is successful at 9-routes, posts, and comebacks. His long arms, wide catch radius, and quick release will become a comfortable outlet for any passer.
Lighter than your typical tight end, Bryant is not going to be able to stand up defensive ends as a traditional inline blocker and may always be a liability in the run game. The team that drafts Bryant can work on his weakness in blocking while benefiting from his field stretching presence.
His route tree isn’t substantial, but Bryant will captivate audience members at the combine with his speed. Agility testing may be adequate and strength will be a question mark. If a team is looking for a big slot receiver though, there are fewer prospects in the middle rounds with better matchup potential.
Ben Bartch, T/G, St. Johns
Bartch was the only Division III player at the Senior Bowl, but he proved that he belonged in Mobile. At 6-foot-5 and 308-pounds, he displayed an exceptional balance of strength and agility.
Throughout the week at the Senior Bowl, Bartch matched and suppressed his challengers, leaving his opponents stifled or on the ground. His feet are light and allow him to deliver powerful balanced strikes, targeting the outside shoulder of rushers.
Bartch displayed the necessary traits to move around the line at the next level because of his nimble feet and strong punch. Bartch is scheme flexible and could be moved inside depending on the needs of the team that selects him. Bartch has a legitimate shot at coming off the board in Day 2.
Matt Hennessy, C/G, Temple
At 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds, Matt Hennessy, has played with big time talent, not all in college. Hailing from New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep, Matt was made for the offensive line. Before arriving at Temple, Hennessey dabbled at all positions along the line, but the intelligent prospect is one of the headiest players in the draft and found a home at the center position.
Hennessy’s brother Thomas is the long snapper for the New York Jets and it is clear this is a football savvy family. Matt doesn’t possess elite power or athleticism, but his football IQ allows him to play faster than his measurables would suggest.
Matt allowed no sacks, only four pressures, and graded as the fifth-best offensive lineman in the country (87.0) and the best center nationally by Pro Football Focus. Matt’s elite recognition and phenomenal mechanics will have a place in the NFL.
The Temple Owl isn’t going to crush the combine. Matt might need a year in a professional strength and conditioning program before being able to take the field regularly. The interior lineman’s smart play will show up on the field and could fight admirably if forced into spot duty. Matt is a day three pick with significant upside.
Jeremy Chinn, DB, SIU
Do you like smart players? How about position flexible? How about someone who is willing to play specials and a team captain? Jeremy Chinn answers all those questions. The heady prospect is 3.58 student with a nose for the ball in all facets. He played 7 games at safety and another two at corner this season. Chinn added three interceptions, nine pass breakups, two fumbles, and a blocked field goal this season.
Southern Illinois utilized Chinn in a multitude of defensive schemes, including zone and man schemes as well as in the box and over the top of the defense at the safety position. Chinn comes hard downfield as a tackler and at 6’3” and 210lbs he utilizes his length as an advantage in coverage.
Chinn has above average instincts, as evidenced by his knack for collecting turnovers. When the Salukis coaching staff tasked Chinn to turn and run with receivers the defensive back was exposed, but at the next level Chinn is a potential impact box safety and special team standout. Testing will be important for Chin. If he shows quick feet in agility drills his presence in coverage on spread tight ends would be actively sought after. He is in the day three round range right now, but there is upside and could lock into the early portion of day three and find playing time early on special teams as he works his way into the NFL game.
Robert Hunt, OL, Louisiana-Lafayette
The 6-foot-5, 322-pound redshirt senior has started for three consecutive seasons for the Ragin’ Cajuns, the last two at right tackle. The thick, burly lineman has experience on the inside and a position switch to the inside is likely in the pros.
Hunt provides a powerful presence in the run game with quick powerful punches. Hunt is a full-grown man and plays with an aggressive tenacity that is easy to enjoy. Not the greatest athlete, Hunt’s feet are heavy and technique is sloppy at times. This is partly due to being exposed by speed rushers and is another reason to push to the interior where his inadequacies will be less exposed.
The grinder mentality is his best trait and is a sleeper to walk away from the combine after dominating the strength portions. Hunt, who is prone to lapses due to blitz pickups and limited athleticism, will fall further than he probably should and could come off anywhere in the middle rounds. Hunt could sneak into the top 75 if an organization wants to send a message with a tone setting offensive lineman, and also because of the shallow pool in a weaker inside lineman class.
Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF
In a typical receiver year Davis could be one of the first names called with three full seasons of play and is entering the draft as a true junior. The 6-foot-3 wideout has ideal measurables for an X receiver, but a deep class may push him further down the draft board than his production would suggest.
Davis caught 152 passes for 2,447 yards and 23 touchdowns in three seasons at UCF. Although not a twitched-up receiver, Davis could become one of the best position receivers in a deep class.
Known as a strong route-runner and reliable hands, Davis will dominate in mesh concepts and control the field with excellent positioning. Like most college receivers, their experience is limited with elite corners pressing at the line of scrimmage. If Davis can fight through the initial contact he will win the majority of the battles in the first twenty yards.
Davis’ size to speed ratio is going to determine where he goes in the draft. With his size, he should break more tackles than he has shown thusfar and if he doesn’t get stronger it will severely limit his yards after the catch ability. There is much to be desired with Davis in the blocking game, while this isn’t a deal breaker for his stock, it can reflect the type of player Davis may inevitably become.
Testing numbers will go a long way in determining how high Davis will get drafted. Solid numbers with 40-yard dashes in the 4.5s will keep Davis in the second round, but a poor showing could see the Bull slide like Redskins receiver Kelvin Harmon.
James Pierre, DB, FAU
Pierre decided to skip his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft after recording 43 tackles with four breakups, three interceptions and a forced fumble in 2019. At 6-foot-2 and 180-pounds the Deerfield Beach, Florida native is an intriguing prospect.
The FAU program is starting to churn out some talent and the fact that he left the program early has more to do with recent coaching changes as opposed to him being fully ready. The former Owl has some valuable tools in his arsenal.
Pierre is physically long and displays smooth coverage ability, but may not fit into man-to-man heavy schemes. He intercepted three passes on the season and had solid games against some of the bigger competition he faced, but despite having some physical ability, Pierre is an incomplete product. He’s a late day three pick or priority free agent who could compete for a roster position is his likely landing spot.
Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa
Robinson, a redshirt senior, emerged as Tulsa’s biggest playmaker this season. Robinson was the league’s leader for passes defended with 17, including a conference leading 13 pass break-ups, and ranked second for interceptions with 4. The 6’1″ senior from ranked 6th in the AAC for fumbles, recovered with 2, and had one blocked kick this year.
Robinson is quicker than he is fast, but long wiry corners will be given plenty of opportunities at the next level. Robinson does play with a savvy skillset, able to jam at the line and disrupt timing patterns from the snap. Production can come in many ways and Robinson shows an ability to make plays on the ball.
Robinson didn’t have a great week at the Senior Bowl, but he didn’t necessarily stand out either, which can be a good thing when many of the drills are in favor of the offense. Testing will matter for Robinson, as he may not possess the long speed necessary for a boundary corner.
Robinson is not necessarily a scheme specific player, but may need to be drafted into an aggressive zone, Tampa-2 style defense to take advantage of his length. If Robinson answers some of the physical questions he could be a steal found in the second half of the draft.