25 biggest NFL Combine Snubs from Non-Power 5 schools
Below I have listed some of the players that were snubbed out of an invitation to the NFL Combine. In the spirit of Draft Diamonds, I have only listed the top 25 players from non-Power 5 schools.
1. Kevin Dotson, OG, Louisiana Lafayette– A very effective run blocker and 2-time All Sun Belt Team player who really impressed at the Shrine Bowl. Many draft analysts were baffled by his exclusion from the invite list. A lot of people believe that he is worthy of a top 100 pick
2. Delontae Scott, DE, SMU-A decent pass rusher who racked up 10 sacks in 2019 and measured 35 1/4″ arms at the NFLPA Bowl
3. Bryce Sterk, DE, Montana State-I had mentioned Sterk in my Top 30 Small School Prospects. He is too good not to mention again. He registered 15 sacks in 2019 and has the size to compete with the big boys in the pros.
4. Kyahva Tezino, LB, San Diego State- A 2-time All-Mountain West Team player who makes up for his lack of size with great athleticism.
5. Bryce Huff, OLB, Memphis-More of an edge rusher at Memphis but has the versatility to be moved inside in a 3-4 scheme.
6. Adrian Killins Jr, RB, Central Florida-Probably just a return specialist due to his size, although he really could have been one of the fastest at the Combine. He ran a 10.53 100m in high school.
7. Victor Johnson, OT, Appalachian State-A very experienced LT who was a 3-time All Sun Belt Team player that measured an 85” wingspan at the NFLPA Bowl
8. Parker Houston, TE/FB, San Diego State-This year’s NFL Combine really lacks participants at a true fullback position. Although Houston played more of an H-back role in college, his calling is really as a blocker who could also play long snapper if the occasion arises.
9. Sage Lewis, LB, Florida International-A 2-time All-Conference USA player who was one of the MVPs of the Tropical Bowl.
10. Luq Barcoo, CB, San Diego State-Really burst onto the scene in 2019 with 9 Ints
11. Elijah Riley, DB, Army-Since new rules are in place that allow military athletes to defer their commitment, Riley has a real shot at being drafted. He offers versatility in the secondary as a CB or Safety.
12. Ja’Marcus Bradley, WR, Louisiana Lafayette-has proven his catching ability with back-to-back seasons with 10 receiving TDs
13. Bryan London II, LB, Texas State– A 2-Time All Sun Belt Team player with a career total of 459 tackles
14. Kirk Merritt, WR, Arkansas State-As a Junior College transfer, Merritt may have just scratched the surface of his potential being a 2-Time All Sun Belt Team player that hauled in 12 TDs in 2019
15. Giovanni Ricci, TE, Western Michigan-A John Mackey Award Semifinalist who had 629 receiving yards in 2019
16. Joey Magnifico, TE, Memphis-A walk-on who was a 2019 Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist. He has decent experience playing all over the field in the slot, as an in-line blocker and as a fullback
17. Javon Hagan, S, Ohio– A 3-Time All MAC First Team player who’s an intense hitter that has an eye for the ball. He has good size that practically makes him a LB.
18. Isaiah Wright, WR, Temple-A slot receiver who’s good with the ball in his hands on jet sweeps and as a returner
19. Garrett Marino, DL, UAB-He might be limited to a 4-3 scheme, but he’s a very mature prospect who was a 2018 Piesman Trophy Award Finalist.
20. Chris Jackson, CB, Marshall– 2-Time All-Conference USA Team player
21. Luke Juriga, C/OG, Western Michigan– A 3-Time All MAC Team player at guard and center whose father was a starter on the Super Bowl XXIV champion Denver Broncos
22. Xavier Jones, RB, SMU-A Semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award who ran for 1276 yards and 23 TDs in 2019. He’s a bruising runner who doesn’t mind contact, but can make people miss.
23. Alvin Davis, DB, Akron-A decent prospect at nickelback who was a 2-time All MAC Team player
24. Jordan Fehr, LB, Appalachian State-A good leader on defense that has helped his team win multiple conference championships that can be a solid addition on a team’s depth chart and on special teams
25. Nathan Rourke, QB, Ohio-One of the top ranked CFL prospects that could certainly challenge the ranks in the NFL. He’s a good tough leader who’s athletic enough to move around, and he’s not afraid to chuck the ball down the field.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com