March 5, 2008

This year there are no guaranteed draft prospects at the tackle position, however, there are several intriguing sleepers who could make a roster.

Marcus Dixon is the top ranked player but is not a guarantee due to his red flags. Hout also has red flags with his injuries while the others are virtual unknowns who teams have not given enough attention to.

Corey Clark, Tywain Myles, Anthony Toribio, and Vernon Bryant are the top sleepers to look out for during pro day workouts as a couple of them are expected to vault up the rankings with good workouts.

Here is a list of the top small school tackles and some other names to remember on draft day, with a look at the updated big board and my weekly look ahead to the 2009 NFL Draft.

TOP 5 SMALL SCHOOL DEFENSIVE TACKLES

1. Marcus Dixon, Hampton , 6040, 299lbs, 5.05 40

Dixon recently competed in the National Invitational Camp, better known as the NFL Scouting Combine, and showed why he is the top small school tackle. He is a big body with solid speed for that size. Despite earning All-MEAC honors as a junior and senior he still has plenty of baggage teams must investigate. He spent 15 months in jail for statutory rap but later the court ruled the sex was consensual and released him from prison. He is a raw player who has been labeled a tweener between end and tackle. He is by far the best small school player at this position but the red flags on him are barely keeping him at the top spot. If teams believe he has changed, he could land in the 6th-7th round range; however, he could also land as a free agent if teams aren’t satisfied with their personal experiences with him.

2. Kurt Hout, Ferris State , 6011, 285lbs, 4.91 40

Hout transferred from Northern Colorado after earning All-Great West honors in 2005 and became one of the top tackles in the D2 ranks. He earned 2nd team All-GLIAC honors as a junior and senior but struggled with injuries his senior year that probably kept him out of the NFL Combine. He played fairly well at the Cactus Bowl but is still considered a tweener at tackle and end. His weight at the pro day should tell what position he feels he wants to play in the NFL. Hout might struggle to find a home in the NFL due to his lack of blazing speed but his production is hard to ignore. He will either get drafted late or find a home in a camp as an undrafted free agent.

3. Corey Clark, Jackson State , 6011, 324lbs, 5.23 40

Clark, an unknown sleeper, has the tools to be a solid backup in the NFL but has injury flags. He started out at Mississippi State but transferred after redshirting in 2003 due to a toe injury. After earning 2nd team All-SWAC honors the last two seasons he was able to flash the talent that originally got him a scholarship to Mississippi State . Expect him to get a shot as a free agent if his pro day workout is solid.

4. Tywain Myles, Tarl