When you think of the NFL talent pool, you think of the SEC, The BIG10, blue blood schools with a rich history and track record of current success. While you’d be mostly right, it seems like there is a handful of high level NCAA talent coming out of group-of-five, and Independent football programs yearly.
Josh Allen, arguably the best young quarterback in football came from Wyoming.
Cooper Kupp, who just won the wide receiver triple crown and a Super Bowl MVP, came from FCS Eastern Washington.
Guys like Antonio Brown, Jason Taylor, Ben Roethlisberger, and Khalil Mack have all emerged from group-of-five programs and put together elite careers.
In part three of our eleven part series we are taking a look at The Sun Belt Conference. The conference has risen to prominence over the last few years with teams like Coastal Carolina, Louisiana and Appalachian State all finding their way into the top 25 over the past few years. This past year eleven players from the Sun Belt made the jump from the NCAA to the NFL by way of the NFL Draft or as UDFA’s. Five of them were selected within the first 160 picks. The talent pool may not be quite as deep this year, but there is one player who could stake his claim as a first round selection.
“MIP Scoutings Watchlist” will be dropping twice weekly covering every conference in the NCAA FBS. To check out what you might’ve missed as well as all of our other NCAA football content click here.
Appalachian State
Steven Jones CB
5’10 185 lbs
Steven Jones is going into his third year as a starter for the Mountaineers, but it will be hard to top his second season as a starter. Last year he was fourth in the nation with 5 interceptions, three of which he took the other way for touchdowns. For his huge season he was named to the FWAA All-American team alongside a who’s who of young men who were first round picks in this past April.
While he isn’t large in stature, he plays with a swagger and tenacity that can’t be matched. He’s got fluid hips, nice straight line speed, can play inside and outside; and this goes without saying… but he’s a bit of a ball hawk. He started his ascent as a core special teams player before finally getting his chance to shine on defense. I love a guy who gives 1000% on special teams. Some of these day three pick talents will need to earn their keep playing special teams, so its good to see he is willing and able.
Jones will need to get stronger to play on the outside full time. He can get lost in the shuffle on crossing routes and needs to be able to fight through. He isn’t bad in man coverage but he will excel in zone, scheme dependency is a small knock against him. He’s probably best used in the slot where he can let his quickness and ball-hawkish nature shine without worrying about being overmatched physically.
Arkansas State
Kivon Bennett Edge
6’3 238 lbs
Kivon Bennet was once the starting OLB for the Tennessee Vols in the SEC. In 2020 he registered 7.5 TFLs and 5 sacks. After some personal issues got him removed from the team. After a transfer to Arkansas state he became the lone bright spot on the nations worst defense. Bennett tallied 8 sacks, 16.5 TFLs and a touchdown last year and hopes to improve upon that season in 2022.
He’s got plenty of speed coming off of the edge. A lightning quick first step and the closing burst needed to seal the deal. He uses great leverage and bend to get under or around offensive lineman. He not just a pure speed rusher either, he’s got a few moves in his arsenal to get free and get after the ball.
He is on the lighter side for an edge rusher and finds it hard to shed blocks when someone gets inside leverage. That can be improved upon with a little extra work in the weight room and improving his hands. He doesn’t bring much against the run and will overrun the play when he has his mind set on getting after the QB. Sacks are nice but you need to maintain gap discipline or teams will run to the spot you’re supposed to be.
Coastal Carolina
Grayson McCall QB
6’3 210 lbs
Grayson McCall is everything you would look for in a QB1 in this era of football. He’s got the height with room to gain some weight. He is a leader of men and has a great mind for the game. He is also a certified winner. McCall is 22-3 in his time at Coastal Carolina.
He has solid wheels to get out and move (860 rushing yards and 11 TDs in two years). He has plus arm strength, routinely hitting targets down the sideline and squeezing the ball into tight windows between defenders. He is deadly accurate with the football ( 71% completion rate in two years).
Arguably his greatest strength as a quarterback is his decision making. He gets the ball out quick and gets it where it needs to go. McCall also takes excellent care of the ball (54:6 TD:INT). When the 2021 season wrapped up he ended his campaign with the highest QB efficiency rating of all time.
The biggest knock against McCall is his level of competition. He’s been dominating the Sun Belt conference for over two years now. When he faces a higher level of competition will he be able to produce the same results? Will some of those scramble drills turn into sacks and do those tight window throws get batted down?
If he would’ve come out last year in a weak quarterback class, there’s a chance he would’ve been the first signal caller taken. He decided to come back to the Chanticleers for one last season, this time without his two favorite targets WR Javon Heiligh(Cincinnati Bengals) and TE Isaiah Likely (Baltimore Ravens). If McCall continues his success, he could still find himself being selected in the first round of an absolutely stacked QB class in 2023. He’s one of my favorite players in this class and I think he has star potential written all over him.
Georgia Southern
Derrick Canteen CB
5’11 190 lbs
Derrick Canteen put the Sun Belt and college football on notice as a freshman in 2020, as a smooth hipped, speedy, ball hawk. He notched 6 interceptions, leading the nation as well as 10 PBUs and a forced fumble. Unfortunately he went down in the second game of 2021 with a torn pectoral that ended his season.
The entire Georgia Southern passing defense fell apart in his absence going from one of the nations best to the bottom of the barrel. When you lose a player who created seven turnovers, it’s to be expected. He’s got a knack for the ball, locating it even when following his receiver. He can play in man and zone coverage equally as well. His closing speed when breaking on a ball scares the living daylights out of QBs. If you are out of rhythm or off target, Canteen could take it from you.
His injury shouldn’t be too much of a concern. Upper body injuries for defensive backs aren’t nearly as detrimental as something like an Achilles or ACL. As with all ball-hawks his aggression has gotten him burned a few times. He is quick to jump the route and is susceptible to biting on double moves. He possesses average but not elite size, that might be an issue if he’s asked to play press man coverage against bigger receivers.
Look for him to return to his status as one of the elite ball hawks in the game in 2022.
Georgia State
Antavious Lane S
5’9 180 lbs
Big things can come in small packages. Lane may have a small stature for a safety, but he does big things in the turnover department. Since becoming a starter in 2020 he has accounted for 11 turnovers in 20 games, taking two of them to the house for scores.
His small stature doesn’t stop him from being an exceptional tackler, averaging just about 7 per game in his last two seasons. He is a heat seeking middle when coming down to defend the run. He flows to the ball and fights through traffic like a seasoned MIKE linebacker. He is no slouch is pass coverage either. When he plays the robber in a cover 2, he’s always alert and ready to break on anything going across the middle.
He may have the speed and physicality, but he just doesn’t have the size to be able to cover tight ends. In an era where tight ends are getting bigger and playing more like wide receivers, having the ability to cover them is very important in your safety. He is perfectly serviceable stepping down into the slot and covering a receiver in a 3 or 4 wide set though.
James Madison University
Kris Thornton WR
5’8 180 lbs
The newest FBS team will be looking to piggyback on their FCS success and take the Sun Belt by storm. Kris Thornton will be crucial to that success with his ability to take the top off of a defense. In 2021 he averaged over 13 yards per catch to go with 14 total touchdowns, if that production can translate to the FBS; the Dukes could be a dangerous team.
Though he’s on the shorter side he does have a little heft to him. We’re not talking about Devonta Smith or Tavon Austin. He absorbs and bounces off contact when running in the open field. You have to wrap this kid up to bring him down. He is pretty sure handed and never lets the ball hit him in the chest.
He is limited in his route tree. What he does, he does it exceptionally well; but he’s not going to be the guy that can make you pay anywhere on the field. Being only 5’8 does have some disadvantages in the redzone. You can’t just throw it up to the guy and hope he comes down with it. You need to get creative to get the ball in his hands when the field gets small and the defense tightens up.
Louisiana
Zi’Yon Hill DT
6’1 280 lbs
Hill has been a stalwart on a highly successful Ragin Cajuns program over the last few years. The sixth year senior has anchored the program during their most successful stretch in recent history.
He is incredibly stout against the run, despite being undersized at only 274 lbs. He has notched 20 TFLs in his career, mostly by blowing up plays in the backfield. He uses strong hands, surprising strength and great leverage to stay home, hunker down and close running lanes before they have a chance to fully open. He’s also an exceptional pass rusher from the interior getting to the QB 12 times in the last 3 seasons. While he probably translates best as a 5T in a 3-4 defense, he has made the most of his opportunity at Louisiana playing all over the defensive line.
Unfortunately due to his tweener size and not having exceptional speed, he’s going to be viewed as a guy without a true position. Though he’s incredibly strong, how will he manage against a 320 pound guard blocking him heads up? He has trouble disengaging and staying in his gap when met with a combo block, often times getting blown off the ball.
Marshall
Rasheen Ali RB
6’0 203 lbs
You could argue that Rasheen Ali was the best running back in the nation last year. 1,400 yards on the ground and 23 rushing scores to go along with 340 yards on 46 receptions and a touchdown. He also chipped in another touchdown on a kickoff return. A true do it all type of player.
A one cut back with a mean streak, he gets north/south in a hurry and mows down whoever gets in his way. He has light feet and great vision. The patience he shows behind the line is reminiscent of Frank Gore. Don’t let his aggressive style fool you, he has some shake to his game and will probably test in the 4.4-4.5 range in the 40 yard dash.
Ali can be a complete back if he manages to improve as a pass blocker. He left his quarterback out to dry, whiffing on blocks a handful of times last year. You have to be concerned about the work load he received last year, if it continues at the same of a greater pace; we will have logged 600 touches in only two seasons.
Another season like 2021, he could be taking home some hardware and solidify himself as a top 5 running back in the 2023 draft.
Old Dominion
Zack Kuntz TE
6’8 245 lbs
Kuntz wasn’t seeing much playing time at Penn State logging just three catches in his first two seasons. After transferring to ODU last year he finally arrived on the college football scene.
He has a tantalizing mix of size and athleticism that only the elite tight ends are lucky enough to have. He can split out into the slot or on the outside to become a matchup nightmare for a cornerback. He runs crisp routes for a man of his size, getting into his breaks with purpose. He is a redzone nightmare, his standing reach is nearly enough to win 50/50 balls. When you factor in him having a background in basketball and a pretty impressive vertical to match that history, it’s nearly impossible to contest a well placed ball to Kuntz.
He had a few drops last year where the ball got into his chest. He needs to do a better job catching with his hands whenever possible. There were also a few balls that looked like flat out concentration drops. Everyone wants to make the big play, but you need to secure the catch first. He is a solid blocker at this stage of his career but will get caught reaching. That’s an area he can improve in, being willing is half of the battle.
If he can build on a 2021 season that saw him grab 72 balls for nearly 700 yards, he could be a legitimate day two NFL Draft prospect next April.
South Alabama
Jalen Wayne WR
6’2 205 lbs
Jalen Wayne will look to fill the shoes of recent NFL draft pick Jalen Tolbert. Losing that type of player will almost always cause an offense to take a step back, so it falls on Wayne to help pick up the slack as the elder statesmen of the Jaguars receiving corps. He had a really nice season to build on as the second option across from Tolbert catching 53 balls for 630 yards.
Wayne has the ideal body size for an outside receiver. Long arms with a strong frame make him dangerous across the middle and in contested situations. He isn’t a track star type of wide receiver, but he makes up for it with strong hands a good mind for the game.
Wayne isn’t going to win any 40 yard dash contests and he isn’t the most agile. He will have to rely on his great hands and strong frame to come down with the ball. He needs to clean up his route running, when running digs and outs he doesn’t get into his break with the urgency you’d like to see. Rounding off your routes if a good way to get the ball turned over.
Southern Mississippi
Frank Gore Jr. RB
5’8 185 lbs
The son of future NFL Hall of Fame running back Frank Gore, Gore Jr. has huge shoes to fill. He increased his touches, touchdowns and yardage between 2020 and 2021, he will be looking to continue that growth in the 2022 football season.
He is not the runner his father was. He is more of a scatback, trying to find the edge and turn up field whenever possible. He’s not lacking in the agility department, making the first man miss with regularity to the tune of 5.5 yards per touch. He is an improving receiver, doubling his production between his freshman and sophomore season. He also isn’t too shabby of a QB. Going 10 for 16 with 190 yards and 4 touchdowns when thrown into duty.
Gore is on the smaller side for an every down running back. He is listed at 185 pounds but that feels a bit generous. He isn’t going to run anyone over and won’t fight for yards when he is stood up. He needs to improve his pass blocking to stay on the field for three downs.
Texas State
Marcell Barbee WR
6’2 195 lb
The Bobcats haven’t had a player drafted since David Mayo in 2015. Barbee is looking to break that eight year drought.
He is a nice height/weight/speed guy. He will certainly test well. He has reliable hands when the ball comes his way, rarely dropping catchable balls. He runs his routes clean and gets into his breaks with purpose.
Even though he is a proficient route runner it does seem that his route tree is a bit limited. He doesn’t create nearly as much separation off the line as you would like to see for a guy with his speed and length. He is also terribly inconsistent. He was held to four or less catches eight times last season and forty or less yards in six games last season.
Barbee took a step back in 2021 from his 600 yard and 10 touchdown campaign in 2020. Establishing chemistry with recent transfer QB Layne Hatcher will determine if he will get back into 2020 form or continue his decline in statistical production.
Troy
Carlton Martial LB
5’9 210 lbs
Carlton Manning looks more like a safety corner than a linebacker, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting up huge numbers after beginning his career as a walk on. He is the definition of a human missile, flying around the field, seemingly knowing where the ball is going to be at all times. While his teammate Javon Solomon had a great year in ‘21 (11 sacks, 17 TFLs) and may be the better pro prospect; Martial is the heartbeat of what should be a solid Troy defense.
Martial has logged over 100 total tackles, 10 TFLs, a sack and an interception in each of his last three season. He has such a natural feel for where the football is going at all times. He never stops moving and never stops fighting his way to the ball. He’s no slouch when dropping into zone coverage allowing a QB rating under 80 for his career when he’s thrown at.
Due to his short stature he is terribly outmatched when trying to cover tight ends one on one. The size different is just too much to make up. His size also gets him lost in the shuffle a bit too much on crossing routes and he can be moved off of his spot. Despite having longer than average arms for his height, being 5’9 210 pounds makes it really hard to get free of blockers once engaged.
ULM
Boogie Knight WR
5’10 195 lbs
Boogie Knight brought juice to a ULM roster that improved by 4 wins in 2021. He’s looking to build on a solid 2021 campaign and improve in 2022.
The shifty slot receiver was a first down machine. 26 of his 45 receptions moved the chains. Putting up those kind of numbers is a direct correlation of the trust a quarterback has in his pass catcher. He’s got a lot of shimmy and shake in his game, getting open by bursting off the line and running sharp routes. It’s really hard to stick with the kid in man coverage. Of his 45 receptions I don’t think I saw a single catch made with his body. He uses his hands to grab the ball and pulls it in to turn up field.
He won’t burn you over the top, his longest reception being 46 yards; he is more quick than fast. His low touchdown numbers are partially a product of QB play in an anemic offense but he is not blameless. When the field shrinks in the red zone, he doesn’t have the physicality or speed to make space for himself.
There is a shifty slot receiver on almost every team in the NFL as 11 personnel becomes more prevalent. If he takes a leap forward this year he could realize his dream and take his talent to the big stage.