FCS Looks To Have Impressive NFL Draft

Montana CB Trumaine JohnsonBy 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.

My projected highest rated non combine draft pick is Lane after his impressive pro day circuit and performance in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game.

Keep an eye on Columbia offensive tackle Jeff Adams and North Dakota State tight end Matt Veldman as players who could rise higher than the priority free agent or seventh round grades many have on them.

 

One impressive stat from this year’s class is that seven former FCS cornerbacks could be selected including Johnson, Steed, Lane, Presbyterian’s Justin Bethel, Hampton’s Micah Pellerin, Samford’s Corey White, and Jacksonville State’s A.J. Davis.

 

As many as 15 non-combine prospects could be taken in this week’s draft.

 

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