February 13, 2008

This week I will tackle the offensive line in my weekly position preview after handling the offensive skill guys the last few weeks. Those who know me will tell you this is my favorite position to talk about due to me being a former lineman myself.

This could be the best group of small school linemen to come out of one draft class in a long time. There are former FBS transfers, sons of former NFL players, and 6’5 300 plus pounders with 4.9 or better speed to choose from.

Some of the top names you will recognize are Heath Benedict of Newberry, Chad Rinehart of Northern Iowa, and Kerry Brown of defending three-time FCS National Champion Appalachian State. While you may know some of these names there are others who could shock you on draft day if you aren’t careful.

Below is my look at the top 5 tackles, top 5 guards, and top 3 centers along with a write-up on each, a few notable names, an updated top 25, and my 2nd school feature of the year.

TOP 5 SMALL SCHOOL TACKLES

1. Heath Benedict, Newberry, 6046, 321lbs, 4.96 40

Benedict, a former Tennessee transfer, entered the season with a chance to become the first D2 player selected in the first round since Saginaw Valley State DE Lamar King was taken by Seattle in the 1999 NFL Draft. He was a two-time 1st team All-SAC selection and AP Little All-America pick after his junior year. He then followed that up with a 1st team All-America season by d2football.com and a few others while earning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for a second consecutive year in the SAC. Injuries and questions about his athletic ability translating to the field saw his stock plummet to the 6th-7th round range by most area scouts. Questions about his arm length came up as many felt he would have to move to guard. Those who know how to best evaluate talent will tell you to throw out his senior and junior film and watch his Senior Bowl performance. He was finally healthy and had received NFL coaching in the game and looked more worthy to be there. He was labeled the most surprising lineman by many during the practice week. Benedict displays quick feet, good strength, and the upside you want in a future starting tackle. His laziness has been a concern by some but if he works hard and stays healthy he should land in the 3rd-4th round and could be a future starter after 2-3 years of coaching.

2. Brandon Keith , Northern Iowa , 6045, 340lbs, 5.09 40

Keith, a former Oklahoma transfer, was possibly the best tackle in the Texas vs. Nation Game earlier this month. He shows great knee bend and surprising quickness for his size. His tree trunk sized thighs and thick frame lead scouts to believe he will be more than big enough to be a good one in the NFL. He also showed he could drive his man off the ball no matter if he was at tackle or at guard. Keith earned 3rd team All-America honors by the AP and 1st team All-Gateway honors for his play this year. Keith should come off the board in the 5th or 6th round.

3. Demetrius Bell, Northwestern State (LA), 6052, 301lbs, 5.05 40

Bell , a former basketball player with great athletic ability, was another impressive tackle at the Texas vs. Nation game. He was not consistent but flashed potential to be an excellent steal on day two after receiving NFL coaching. Bell earned All-SWLA honors as a junior and 1st team All-America and 1st team All-Southland plaudits as a senior. He will need to get stronger and become more aggressive before he is ready for the NFL, but has the athletic ability to make a GM overdraft him to take advantage of it. He currently carries a 6th-7th round but could go as high as the 4th round with a good combine workout.

4. T haddeus Coleman , Mississippi Valley State, 6076, 308lbs, 5.36 40

Unlike the previous three tackles mentioned Coleman does not have an invite to the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine and is perhaps the biggest snub of any player after watching him at the Texas vs. Nation game. Coleman is a two-time All-SWAC selection who showed why he has been highly regarded by the SWAC coaches. For those who watched his junior tape saw potential out of this very raw prospect. You saw the same thing in his senior year but could see development. When he came to T exas he was a man on a mission and literally threw everyone in his path. T his shouldn’t be surprising with his bloodlines because as most don’t know his dad played for the Redskins and Saints. He projects as a 6th-7th round pick who might move up and surprise in the mid rounds with a good pro day workout and impressive interviews.

5. David Hale, Weber State , 6057, 309lbs, 5.20 40

Hale, a three-time All-Big Sky Selection, made good of his East-West Shrine game week and game. He showed good explosiveness but needs to add weight and play lower as he gets driven back by those who out leverage him. He shows good initial quickness and is a solid pass blocker but needs to work more against speed rushers and needs to work on body control. Hale will be at the NFL Combine and is one of the small schoolers that most people will be intrigued to see. One thing that has not come up from most draft media is that he is going to be 25 years old on March 3rd and 25 seems to be the age that starts to raise red flags. If a team can get over his age and look at the potential they will find a good steal in the 6th-7th round range.

Notables: Mike Butterworth, Slippery Rock; Jesse Padilla, Lafayette; Kurt Kutscher, Henderson State; Matt Austin, UMASS; Sean Dumford, Eastern Kentucky; Cody Balogh, Montana.

TOP 5 SMALL SCHOOL GUARDS

1. Kerry Brown, Appalachian State, 6053, 305lbs, 5.20 40

Brown is one of the most decorated offensive linemen in FCS history with three-time 1st team All-SoCon, two-time 1st team All-America, two-time Jacobs Blocking Trophy, and write-in vote getter for the Walter Payton Award among his football plaudits. One honor not listed is the All-SoCon honors he earned in track before quitting to focus on football. He is a highly athletic player with good feet and a mean streak. He lacks ideal technique and his consistency but shows the upside to be an excellent starter after a few years of NFL coaching. For those who love to search player videos get on Youtube and search “App State Michigan ultimate highlight” and click on the top video, then fast-forward to 2:50 into the clip and watch one of his 20 plus knockdown blocks against Michigan as evidence of his ability to dominate the best in the nation. He is a current 6th round grade from most but could land in the 4th-5th round range with a good pro day workout.

2. Chad Rinehart, Northern Iowa , 6052, 317lbs, 5.23 40

Rinehart is another highly decorated player in the FCS after earning 1st team All-Gateway honors three straight years, All-America honors for two years, and earned a vote for the Walter Payton Award this past year. He also earned an invite to the Senior Bowl and was impressive with his footwork and run blocking. He does need to get stronger and become more consistent to be a starter in the NFL. He is being considered as a tackle by some, guard by others, and center by the rest. He is a versatile player who will be a good steal on day two. Currently projects as a 5th round selection.

3. Mackenzy Bernadeau, Bentley, 6036, 305lbs, 5.31 40

Bernadeau, one of the top guards in the small school ranks, had a rough senior year after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee on October 12th. He still managed to earn 1st team All-America honors by d2football.com, which was his second straight year earning All-America honors and 1st team All-NE-10 for the third straight year. He was also named the NE-10 OL of the Year honors for the second consecutive year. His health is a big question and most teams see him as a move to guard but he has been cleared to workout and will need to impress to get drafted. He will at least be a priority free agent who might sneak into the 7th round.

4. James Lee , South Carolina State, 6045, 303lbs, 5.30 40

Lee capped his impressive career earning All-MEAC honors for the 2nd straight year, MEAC OL of the Year, and All-America honors by the AP, Sports Network, and Sheridan Broadcasting Network. Lee has very good size for a good and solid footwork. He has flown under the radar of the media but has gotten the attention of scouts all year. His biggest concern is lack of competition and the fact he missed 2003 with an injury and was injured much of the 2005 year. If he can prove to be healthy and run well at his pro day he should be one of the top undrafted linemen or possibly a 7th round pick.

5. Ben Hochstein , Nebraska - Omaha , 6033, 289lbs, 5.35 40

Hochstein is a two-time All-America pick and two-time 1st team All-NCC selection. He was also named the Most Valuable Offensive Lineman for the NCC as a junior and senior. He has played tackle in college but will have to convert to guard in the NFL. His speed and athletic ability are questioned so his pro day will be big for his final grade. Many don’t know but his cousin Russ was a member of the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. He is currently a priority free agent player worth keep an eye on as we get closer to the draft.

Notables: Brandon Barnes, Grand Valley State; Mitch Erickson, South Dakota State; Pat Schwenke, West Texas A&M; Brandon Hale, Sam Houston State; Matt Alfred, Eastern Washington.

TOP 3 SMALL SCHOOL CENTERS

1. Brennen Carvalho, Portland State , 6006, 316lbs, 5.11 40

Carvalho is a three-time 1st team All-Big Sky performer and two-time All-America selection who moved from left guard to center prior to his senior year. Even though he has started 39 games over his career he can be considered young due to the fact he is only 21 years old. He has limited experience at center and is not very explosive but gives good pop with his hands and he is very aggressive. Carvalho is a sleeper prospect who could go in the late rounds or at worst case a priority free agent.

2. Matt Roan , Southern Utah , 6044, 293lbs, 5.03 40

Roan is one of the most interesting sleeper prospects in this year’s draft with his combo of versatility and potential. After meeting him and his whole family in Texas I can’t help but pull for this young man to make it. He has played center, tackle, guard, long snapper, tight end, and punter in his career. He was a Virginia Tech transfer who made an immediate impact by earning HM All-Great West honors in 2005 and then followed that up with 2nd team All-Great West honors as a junior and senior as well. Roan will struggle with the bull rush but has good footwork and the ability to add the weight/strength to deal with stronger interior players. He carries a priority free agent grade from a few teams and might even surprise as a 7th round pick from someone if he has a good pro day.

3. Isaiah Wiggins, Illinois State , 6034, 304lbs, 5.11 40

Wiggins earned 1st team All-Gateway honors as a junior and senior while earning some All-America mention as a senior, respectively. He finished his career as a 3 ½ year starter for the Redbirds, too. He played left tackle most of his career but played center for four games in 2004 and expects to make the move to center in the NFL. He played center at the Texas vs. Nation game and seemed to improve heavily as the week went on. He worked very hard on his shotgun snaps during the week and showed he could move well for his size. Wiggins should be one of the top undrafted centers available after the draft.

Notables: Lorenzo Breland, Jackson State ; Christian Morton, South Dakota ; Tim McCutcheon , California PA; Jake Gable, Northern Colorado; George Yarno, Idaho State .

UPDATED SMALL SCHOOL TOP 25

WEEKLY SCHOOL FEATURE- WEST TEXAS A&M

Each week I am taking a look at a small school that features several NFL prospects over the next few years. Here is West exas A&M’s full list of prospects

2008

TE Kolo Kapanui - athletic pass catcher who runs well could go in late rounds.

ILB Steve Allen - has baggage but flashes ability so he should earn a free agent shot.

OG Pat Schwenke - decent guard prospect with good size who should earn a free agent chance.

OT Floyd Headen - struggled at the Cactus Bowl but has the tools to earn a camp shot.

2009

DE/OLB Brandon Swain - athletic pass rusher who has a chance to be a mid-late round pick.

QB Keith Null - strong armed pocket passer with a late round chance.

DE Dexter Manley - has bloodlines, good strength, and fast for his size so he should get drafted, if healthy.

WR Charly Martin - solid size/speed combo and very productive so a free agent shot is very likely.

CT ommy Crowley - he is still on crutches but should be a solid free agent if he can get healthy.

OLB Jared Brock - undersized but productive and decent speed so he should get into a camp.

Next Week: Defensive Line