By Donal Ware

HBCU Columnist

College Sports Journal

PHILADELPHIA, PA. — South Carolina State safety Christian Thompson was the only player from an HBCU taken in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Thompson was taken in the fourth round — 130th overall — by the Baltimore Ravens.

“This can’t be real,” said Thompson when asked about his initial reaction to being drafted. “One of my favorites teams was calling me and there was a possibility they were going to be drafting me."

It was an unforgettable experience for the MEAC star.

Read more: SCSU's Thompson Only HBCU Player Taken In NFL Draft

By Josh Buchanan

NFL Columnist

College Sports Journal

PHILADELPHIA, PA. — The first night of the NFL Draft may have come and gone without a Football Championship Subdivision player being selected in the first round.

But the rest of the weekend should prove to be eventful for FCS performers.

This year as many as four players could be selected in the top 100, with 25-30 being considered possible selections in this weekend’s NFL Draft.

My No. 1 prospect all along from the FCS has been Appalachian State wide receiver Brian Quick who should be a top-75 pick.

Quick could be challenged by Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson for the first pick though, while Coastal Carolina cornerback Josh Norman is a potential late third round choice, if he doesn’t fall due to off field concerns.

Others who have been mentioned as a top 100 picks or those who could push up into the high fourth round include Furman cornerback Ryan Steed, South Dakota offensive tackle Tom Compton, and Northwestern State cornerback Jeremy Lane.

Read more: FCS Looks To Have Impressive NFL Draft

By David Coulson

Executive Editor

College Sports Journal

BOONE, N.C. — I'll never forget the first time I heard the name Brian Quick mentioned.

I was in the football office at Appalachian State's Owens Field House on national signing day in 2007 when I bumped into two Mountaineer assistants, Mark Spier and Dale Jones.

Coming off of back-to-back national championships, the two defensive assistants were beaming about the class of recruits that had been inked that day.

But there was one unknown that Spier — ASU's recruiting coordinator until recently taking the head coaching job at Western Carolina — couldn't keep from gushing about.

Read more: NFL Combine: Quick's Success Not A Surprise To Some