NFL Draft Diamonds 2015 Small School Rankings **UPDATED**

We always put together out small school rankings, and while we have another small school rankings list, we wanted to put together our official small school rankings. We do not see many players getting drafted this year, because the amount of juniors that we expect to enter the NFL Draft.  Here is the list of players by round. 

3rd Round – NFL Draft

FS – Jaquiski Tartt – Samford –  Tartt is a very solid football player. He has great hands and is able to make players using technique.  Tartt has good hips and takes great angles to make tackles. 

4th Round – NFL Draft

RB – David Johnson – University of Northern Iowa – David Johnson is closing the gap for the best small school back.  Johnson is versatile and a big back.  Not many big backs are good catching the ball out the backfield, but Johnson can do it all. He is an Anthony Dixon type of back with elusiveness. 

OT – Ali Marpet – Hobart – Marpet is going to be kicked inside at the next level, but if he can hold his own next week at the Senior Bowl watch out. 

DE – Davis Tull – Tennessee- Chattanooga –  Tull has something you cannot teach. He has a non stop motor. I really like what this kid can do, he has great edge moves, and never quits on a play. Scouts will fall in love with this kid. 

5th Round – NFL Draft

DE – Lynden Trail – Norfolk State – Trail is a very solid edge rusher. He is long, and has great size.  He is able to get around the offensive lineman and disturb the play often. Trail is an athlete, he has caught touchdown passes as well. The former Florida Gator is hungry. 

WR – Dezmin Lewis – Central Arkansas  – Dezmin Lewis is a 6’4 wide receiever with soft hands and a player that can get up and make plays. He will run a 4.4 forty at 6’4, NFL scouts will be drooling over this kid. 

WR – Tre McBride – William & Mary – Tre McBride is a big, physical wide receiver who can make the plays in traffic. McBride is a deep threat who can go  up and make a big play down the field. 

DT – Derrick Lott – University of Tennessee Chattanooga – Lott should have been drafted in the 5th round last year, but he was given another year to play.  Lott is a freak and showed off his abilities at the East/West and the Combine.  He is a special talent that will be drafted. 

TE – Mycole Pruitt – Southern Illinois – Pruitt’s size might be a concern to some, but at 6’2 he is able to get the job done.  Pruitt has soft hands and runs very good routes.  The Salukis have been amazing on offense this year, and it would not surprise me if Pruitt was drafted higher than the 6th round. 

DT – Xavier Williams – Northern Iowa – A big man that moves a pocket. Williams is not a slouch, he really does a great job at getting after the quarterback.  He reminds me of a bigger Kyle Williams. He has good size and speed to play at the next level. 

OG – Robert Myers – Tennessee State –  Myers was on a nasty offensive line last year that had two draft picks.  This year he was TSU’s best offensive player.  He is a great player and should be the best offensive lineman drafted from small schools. 

6th Round – NFL Draft

DE – Zach Hodges – Harvard –  Hodges is a very solid edge rusher who is going to make a name for himself in the NFL.  Hodges is the best small school prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft.  Hodges has multiple pass rush moves, and is a very sound tackler. 

QB – Bryan Bennett – SE Louisiana – Bryan Bennett has always had a huge arm, but this week at the Senior Bowl he is looking like he is rising again with NFL scouts. The former Oregon quarterback is taking the spotlight away from the man that beat him out in Oregon, since he opted out of the invite.

RB – Tyler Varga – Yale – The hard nosed Canadian could be a very solid football player in the NFL. I can see his stock going in the upward motion after the Senior Bowl. 

7th Round – NFL Draft

RB – John Crockett – North Dakota State –  Crockett is a freak with elusive skills. He has that “It” factor and tore up his FBS opponents. Iowa State could not contain Crockett. 

DE – Ryan Delaire – Towson –  I love me some Ryan Delaire.  This kid is an athletic freak with six sacks already this year. He is one of the best pass rushers in the FCS. 

TE – Nick Boyle – Delaware – This tight end class is deep, and if it was not Boyle would be rated higher. He is a very smooth tight end, with great skills. I love his hands and route running ability. He will be in the league for years to come. 

RB- Zach Zenner – South Dakota State University – Zenner was invited to the East/West Shrine game and he is a very solid back. He put up huge numbers for the Jackrabbits which landed him a Combine invite on the first wave. Keep an eye on Zenner, he is special.

WR – R.J. Harris – New Hampshire – Harris is averaging 110 yards a game through four games and has shown the ability to get into the endzone. Harris has great hands and speed. He reminds me of a Victor Cruz of the New York Giants. I expect Harris to get an invite to a solid All-Star Game.

SS – Dean Marlowe – James Madison – Dean Marlowe is a hard hitting safety that has the hands of a wide receiver. Marlowe is a big safety that lowers the boom stick on his opponents. 

WR – Dontella Luckett – Harding – This kid could break Chris Johnson’s forty yard dash.  He will fly up draft boards literally if he runs in the 4.2’s like he can. 

DE – Kyle Emmanuel – North Dakota State – Emmanuel has been impressing at the East West Shrine Game and I can see him moving up draft boards. 

SS – Tevin McDonald – Eastern Washington –  McDonald’s father and brother both made it to the NFL. This kid has some nasty genes and I expect him to be the third in the family to make it. 

CB – De’Ante Saunders – Tennessee State – Pop Saunders came from the University of Florida and this kid has been playing his tail off. With the amazing front seven of Tennessee State, Saunders has sat back and cleaned house.  He has multiple interceptions and has shown his skills as a return man as well scoring once already. 

DT – Charles Tuaau – Texas A&M Commerce – Tuaau is a good run stuffer, but Tuaau has fallen on our lists.  He is a good player, but he could end up as a PFA.

RB – Malcolm Agnew – Southern Illinois –  Agnew has good bloodlines. His father and brother both made it to the NFL. Agnew’s father is an NFL scout, and his ability on the field is amazing. Agnew has been dominate in 2014, he will need to continue to remain the best small school back. 

LB – Edmond Robinson – Newberry – Newberry has been putting players in the NFL, last year it was Corey Washington, and the year before Brandon Bostick.  This year Edmond Robinson will be in the NFL.  Teams love this kid because they feel he has not hit his prime yet. 

WR – Kenny Cook – Gardner Webb – You cannot teach 81 inch wingspan.  That is 6’9 inches, and that is a big receiver. NFL teams will fall in love with this kid after his pro day. 

OT – Jake Rodgers – Eastern Washington – Rodgers has climbed the rankings this year. He is a very solid pass blocker, and is mean.  Teams love his tenacity, and he could be the second EWU player drafted this year.  

CB – Imoan Claiborne – Northwestern State University – Claiborne has great size and good hands. He could move up draft boards with a good Senior Bowl week. 

DE – Zach Wagenmann – Montana – Wagenmann has great height and speed for the DE position. He has a good motor and is powerful.  Teams need pass rushers and Wagenmann is a sound rusher. 

CB – Tye Smith – Towson – Several NFL teams called me about Smith, he is a good cornerback, and they love his abilities. He was a combine invite and did do pretty well in his drills.  With the need of cornerbacks, Smith should be a huge help. 

CB – Jacob Hagen – Liberty – Hagen is a ball hawk that can play at the next level. I expect him to have a very good year in 2015 for whatever team he lands on. 

WR – DeAndre Carter – Sacramento State – Carter is a speedy wide out with great hands. He had an impressive career at Sacramento State and was a top FCS wide receiver. He also had an amazing Pro Day. 

DT – Deon Simon – Northwestern State – NFL scouts love this kid, he is a huge space eater.  The Nose Tackle from NSU is tough, and does a good job at eating space.  Simon will be on a 53 man roster next year. 

OC – Chad Hamilton – Coastal Carolina – Chad Hamilton can play all the positions on the offensive line. He reminds me a lot of Eric Kush so he could be a guy one team or more falls in love with. 

DE – Cashaud Lyons – Tusculum College – Lyons is a tall defensive end that can get around the edge. While he is still a little green, NFL teams love him.  He could turn into an amazing pass rusher with the right guidance. 

P – Kyle Loomis – Portland State – A punter made my list. Yep, that is right.  I put Loomis on my list because the former Military veteran has a leg that is better than almost everyone in the FBS.  Loomis is a former serviceman who left Oregon State to join the military and fight for our freedom. How can you not root for the guy? 

Priority Free Agents/Undrafted Free Agents – NFL Draft

• Quinn Epperly – Princeton
• Phillip Sims – Winston Salem State
• Kevin Rodgers – Henderson State
• Andrew Manley – Eastern Illinois
• Michael Nebrich – Fordham
• Michael Strauss – Richmond
• Brion Carnes – Northern Iowa 
• Justin Arias – Idaho State
• Jordan Johnson – Montana
• Chris Bonner – Colorado State Pueblo
• Caleb Berry – Lamar
• Garrett Safron – Sacramento State
• Max Shortell – Jacksonville State
• Lance Orender – New Mexico Highlands
• Tyrik Rollison – Texas A&M Commerce
• Jerry Lovelocke – Prairie View A&M
• Malcolm Cyrus – Alabama State
• Julian Hayes – Monmouth (NJ)
• Rob Hollomon – Central Connecticut State
• DeMarcus James – Jacksonville State
• Gus Johnson – Stephen F. Austin
• Marcus Coker – Stony Brook
• Keshaudus Spence – Sacred Heart
• Omar Osbourne – Albany
• Ross Scheuerman – Lafayette
• Terrell Watson – Azusa Pacific 
• Brandon Wegher – Morningside
• Chris Smith – Upper Iowa
• Keon Williams – Tennessee Chattanooga 
• Desmond Martin – Wayne State
• Veneric Mark – West Texas A&M
• Sam Ajala – Fordham
• Ify Umodu – Northern Arizona
• Julian Burton – Missouri State University
• Ricky Collins – Texas A&M Commerce
• Vernon Johnson – Texas A&M Commerce
• Tyrell Williams – Western Oregon
• Adam Drake – Eastern Illinois
• Julian Stafford – Mississippi Valley State
• Neal Sterling – Monmouth 
• Darius Davis – Henderson State
• Addison Richards – Regina (Canada)
• Tebucky Jones – Fordham 
• Jake Kumerow – Wisconsin – Whitewater
• Nic Demski – Manitoba (Canada) 
• Shaydon Kehano – Weber State
• Tyler Dube – Sacred Heart
• Khari Lee – Bowie State
• Dan Light – Fordham
• James O’Shaughnessy – Illinois State
• Will Tye – Stony Brook 
• Andrew Dillion – Saginaw Valley State University
• Chris Malott – Southeastern Louisiana
• Matt Deitrick – Clarion University
• Brock DeCicco – Indiana University of PA
• Kenneth Bibbins – Houston Baptist
• Sean Fitzpatrick – Richmond
• Fayshal Shafaat – Tennessee Chattanooga
• Andrew Robustelli – Jacksonville
• Cole Manhart – Nebraska-Kearney 
• Anthony Morris – Tennessee State 
• Nick Easton – Harvard
• Collin Seibert – Eastern Illinois
• Austin Gund – Richmond 
• Doniel Gambrell – Notre Dame College
• Matthew Reese – Tuskegee
• Antonie Everett – McNeese State 
• Chad Hamilton – Coastal Carolina 
• Joe Kaleta – Coastal Carolina
• Jack Rummells – Northern Iowa
• Matt Huffer – South Dakota
• Arthur Doakes – Belhaven
• Chris Barfield – Fairmont State
• Jermaine Barton – Illinois State 
• Ned Dayoush – Lehigh
• Matt Longacre – Northwest Missouri State
• Mike Reilly – William and Mary
• Carlif Taylor – Southern Connecticut State
• Rodney Gunter – Delaware State University
• Sage Howard – James Madison University
• LeBrandon Richardson – Bethune – Cookman
• Darius Allen – Colorado State Pueblo
• Julian Howarse – Clarion
• Bernard Little – Fort Valley State University
• Isiah Fleming – Cheyney
• Alec May – Georgetown     
• Jeff Covitz – Bryant
  
• Christopher Robinson – Morgan State
• Troy Moore – Sacred Heart
• Tonga Takai – Montana
• Damion Williams – Abilene Christian
• Taylor Bible – Carson Newman
• Anthony Bass – Tennessee State
• Quinn Backus – Coastal Carolina
• Andrew Bose – Rhode Island 
• Ronnell Williams – West Chester
• Leron Furr – Fort Valley State
• Isiah Corbett – Southeastern Louisiana
• Nick Thrasher – Tennessee State
• Nick Dzubnar – Cal Poly
  
• Tony Bell – UT Martin
• Travis Taylor – Murray State
• Ronnie Hamlin – Eastern Washington
• Stephen Hodge – Fordham
• Stephen Godbolt – Webber International 
• Cariel Brooks – Adams State
• Qumain Black – East Central
• Denzel Rice – Coastal Carolina
• Ronald Fields – Texas A&M Commerce
• Ryan Griffin – Jackson State
• Ronn Vinson – Tennessee State
• Deontae Flornce – Weber State
• J.D. Roussel – Sacred Heart
• C.J. Roberts – Colorado State Pueblo
• Keeston Terry – Pittsburg State 
• Terry Johnson – Florida A&M
• Jarrett Dieudonne – Wagner
• Harold Jones-Quartley – Findlay
• Michael Lee – Fort Valley State
• Al-Hajj Shabazz – West Chester 
• Tray Walker – Texas Southern
• De’Vante Bausby – Pittsburg State
• Michael Johnson – Fayetteville State 
• Brady Grayvold – Wisconsin Whitewater
• Ace Clark – Western Carolina
• Stephen Godbolt – Webber International
• Daniel Fitzpatrick – Tennessee State
• Christian Dudzik – North Dakota State
• Caleb Schaffitzel – Missouri State
• Colton Heagle – North Dakota State
• Tom Obarski – Concordia St. Paul