Sleepers

Every year numerous players make the jump from overlooked player on a great team to steady NFL contributor. And, with the emergence of Tony Romo, Marques Colston and others, the small school ranks are also being heavily looked at by pro scouts. While these guys should fit into different areas in the draft or post-draft, all should get consideration.

The Big School Sleepers are guys that went to Division 1-A (FBS) colleges, but aren't getting noticed as much as they should. The Small School Stud is the top small schooler at each position.

 Rankings: QB - RB - WR - TE - OT - OG - C - DT - DE - OLB - ILB - CB - S

Mike KafkaCody SlateSteven Sylvester

Big School Sleepers

QB
RB
RB
WR
WR
TE
OT
OG
C
DE
DT
OLB
ILB
CB
CB
S

Mike Kafka, Northwestern
Andre Dixon, Connecticut
Keith Toston, Oklahoma State
Kerry Meier, Kansas
Brent Hamlin, Buffalo
Cody Slate, Marshall
Mark Ortmann, Michigan
Kurtis Gregory, Missouri
Eric Cook, New Mexico
Koi Misi, Utah
Doug Worthington, Ohio State
Stevenson Sylvester, Utah
Reed Williams, West Virginia
Crezdan Butler, Clemson
AJ Wallace, Penn State
Chinso Echebelem, Tulane

Small School Studs
QB
RB
RB
WR
WR
TE
OT
OG
C
DE
DT
OLB
ILB
CB
CB
S
John Skelton, Fordham
Joique Bell, Wayne State
Deji Karim, Southern Illinois
Andre Roberts, Citadel
Donald Jones, Youngstown State
Clay Harbor, Missouri State
Jared Veldeheer, Hillsdale
Vladamire Duccasse, UMass
Austin Steinchen, Northern Iowa
Austin Lane, Murray State
Brandon Gilbeaux, Delaware
Matt Marcorelle, Delaware
Mike Johnson, Northern Alabama
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Indiana (PA)
Patrick Stoudamire, Western Illinois
Charles Graves, Delaware

Andre RobertsJohn SkeltonAkwasi Owusu-Ansah

Comments (3)Add Comment
respond this topic
written by ALYSSABolton, March 11, 2010
The credit loans seem to be essential for guys, which are willing to organize their own career. By the way, this is very comfortable to get a credit loan.
Jeremy Horne
written by jrock1, March 30, 2010
I'm here to state a fact, so that next year this time you can look back and remember what I said. Jeremy Horne, WR from UMASS whose measurables and numbers have exceeded all expectations and surpassed nearly all of top 20 receivers will be the top surprise receiver of this draft. His best 40 at 4.39 is just the beginning. Remember this kid transferred from Syracuse, had a great junior season and although his senior year numbers were not as good, all the scouts who have seen and interviewed him know exactly what they are witnessing. His character as a person is second to none in this draft.
I agree Sylvester is very underrated
written by simhahmadre, April 12, 2010
STEVENSON E. SYLVESTER “SLY” UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

PROS
Sylvester is 21 years old, 6′2 1/8, 232 lbs with 33 ¼ inch arms and 10 ¼ inch hands. He ran a 4.63 forty at the combine. Sylvester is a knowledgeable, experienced, and competitive linebacker with a high motor who is always around the ball. He is a consistent sideline-to-sideline athlete with above average read and react skills. He has the ability to stop a runner in his tracks and pursue a tight end and back in the open field. Excellent edge and gap rusher, great first step, uses his hands well, maintains leverage, and takes the rights angles to consistently make plays. Has the ability to stack and shed and pursue in traffic. He is an impressive wrap up tackler and can lay the big hit. He really excels in big games; appears to love the bright lights.

Sylvester was invited to the 2010 NFL combine and the 2010 East West Shrine Game. He is a four-year starter for a very good Utah Defense. He was a key contributor in a defense that finished in the top 15 in total defense in each of the last 3years, two-year team captain, unanimously selected to the 2009 MWC First Team, led team in tackles 81, 2009 Poinsettia Bowl Defensive MVP, 2008 MWC Second Team, and 2007 MWC Honorable Mention. In December 2009, Sylvester graduated from college in 3 ½ years taking 52 credits in his last year at Utah. He is a high character prospect and is leader on and off the field.

CONS
Sylvester’s Pro Day numbers are not impressive, but these numbers are not indicative of his play and speed on the field. He will need to learn better techniques to shed blockers and fight through traffic. He is underweight for some linebacker positions and schemes. He has continued to add weight through his college career; added ten pounds prior to the 2008 season, ten pounds prior to the 2009 season, and has added seven pounds since the East West Shrine Game and has maintained this weight.

OVERALL
Sylvester is an excellent outside linebacker with a lot of upside. He will best fit into a 4-3 or hybrid defensive scheme. He can play inside or outside in coverage and makes plays all over the field. He is a guided missile on Special Teams. Sylvester will need to be coached up a little in using his hands to shed blockers and improve his technique getting to the quarterback. Depending on his position in the NFL he may need to add another ten pounds to frame. With his history he is more than capable of putting on good weight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-3oUIQ09IU


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