Which Underclassmen From The G5 And Below Declared For The Draft: Defensive Edition

As is the case in any off season, players make the decision to stay or forgo their final year of college football and head to the NFL Draft. Some make it while others fizzle out due to lack of talent, a bad fit, or other circumstances.

We have already taken a look at the offensive side of the ball so it is only fair to take a look at defense. Led by All-American Ed Oliver, there are 15 underclassmen defensive players looking to make an NFL roster via the draft.

Defensive Line: (8)

• Ed Oliver, DT, Houston: 192 tackles, 53.0 tfl, 13.5 sacks, 11 pd. 1 fr, 5 ff in 32 games played. Two-time All-American, 2017 Outland Award winner. 2017 AAC Defensive Player of the Year. #2 ranked interior lineman according to USA Today. 
• Maxx Crosby, DE, Eastern Michigan: 162 tackles, 41.0 tfl, 8 ff, 20.0 sacks, 1 int in 37 games played. 
• Trysten Hill, DT, Central Florida: 71 tackles, 20 tfl, 6 sacks, 1 ff in 33 games played. 
• Darryl Johnson, DE, North Carolina A&T: 106 tackles, 41 tfl, 19 sacks, 5 ff, 2 fr. 
• Youhanna Ghaifan, DT, Wyoming: 135 tackles, 27 tfl, 11 sacks, 5 pd, 4 ff in 30 games played. 
• Sutton Smith, DE, Northern Illinois: 139 tackles, 58.5 tfl, 30 sacks, 4 pd, 6 fr, 7 ff, 3 TD in 37 games played. Two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year. 2017 All-American. 
• Sean Adesanya, DE, Central Michigan: Transfer from Illinois. 10 tackles, 1 tfl, 1 sack in 6 games at Illinois. 29 tackles, 7 tfl, 3 sacks in 12 games at CMU. Led nation in tfl and sacks in 2017. Led nation in tfl in 2018. 
• D'Andre Ferby, DE, Western Kentucky: 344 carries for 1,297 yards and 20 TD in 34 games. Listed as a DE in NFL information, so a position change looks to be imminent. 

Let's start with the obvious and discuss Ed Oliver. The junior from Houston is one of the most physically gifted player to come out of college football in a long time. Every defensive lineman gets compared and falls well short of Aaron Donald, but Oliver is a good comparison. I will get into the similarities in a later article. Oliver is the truth and I believe he will be the best of the best in one of the best defensive lineman groups in NFL Draft history.

While not a household name like Oliver, Sutton Smith is no slouch. He put up mind boggling stats at NIU and deserved every accolade thrown at him. The biggest issue with Smith is how he will be used in the NFL. His size mandates a move to linebacker and question abound about his ability to defense the pass. The combine will make or break his draft ranking.

Crosby, Hill, Ghaifan, Adesanya, and Johnson will not hear their names called early, but have the chance to make a roster. For those players, it is all about the fit they show within a defensive scheme. It may be better if some do not get drafted so that they can find the right fit in free agency.

Linebacker: (2)

• Jeff Allison, LB, Fresno State: 267 tackles, 11.0 tfl, 2 int, 2 ff, 2.5 sacks in 34 games played. 2018 MWC Defensive Player of the Year.  
• Josiah Tauaefa, LB, UTSA: 255 tackles, 22.5 tfl, 11.5 sacks, 1 int, 1 fr, 2 ff in 32 games played. 

Of the two G5 linebackers adding their names to the draft list, Tauaefa is the more explosive player. He is a hybrid DE/OLB that may need to find his true position at the NFL level. Can he cover backs and tight ends or is he an undersized pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme?

Allison may not make as many splashy plays in the backfield as other linebackers, but he is a smart and instinctive tackler. He is always around the ball and makes plays in the passing game when needed. Think of a player like Wesley Woodyard when you think of Allison. A leader in the huddle and during play.

Secondary: (5)

• Mike Bell, S, Fresno State: 199 tackles, 9.0 tfl, 4 int, 1 ff, 0.5 sacks in 37 games played.  
• Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan: 104 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 9 int, 4 ff in 35 games played.
• Clifton Duck, CB, Appalachian State: 158 tackles, 8.5 tfl, 1 sack, 12 int, 10.5 pr average on 31 returns in 38 games played. 
• Malik Gant, DB, Marshall: 190 tackles, 14.0 tfl, 1 sack, 2 int, 13 pd in 29 games played. 
• Xavier Crawford, CB, Central Michigan: Transfer from Oregon State. 87 tackles, 2 tfl, 1 sack, 1 int, 12 pd in 17 games at Oregon State. 24 tackles, 3 tfl, 1 int, 12 pd, 2 fr at CMU. 

This is a not so ready for the NFL group of players, except for Clifton Duck. The junior has shown up since his freshman season in big games and has the play-making ability that NFL teams love. He can make plays and isn't afraid to take a chance or two in order to change a game. If he does not hear his name called in the first 100 picks, I would be very surprised.

Honestly, the rest of the group will need to have very good pro days and combines, if they are invited, to get on the NFL radar. Choices like Xavier Crawford smell of a player ready to leave college behind and see what happens rather than being truly ready for the NFL.

Which G5 Underclassmen Are Headed To The NFL: Offense Edition

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Every year, college players ready to no longer "play school" declare their intentions to join the revolving cast of the NFL. Some are guarantees like Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, while others decide to make the jump without knowing what their futures bring.

With that said, let's take a look at the offensive players of the G5 that have declared for the upcoming draft.

Quarterbacks: (1)

• Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo: 6,999 yards passing with 55.8% completion percentage and 49 touchdowns. 201 rushes for 757 yarrds and 16 touchdowns in 32 games played. 2018 MAC Offensive Player of the Year. #7 best QB according to USA Today. 

Jackson is an interesting case for the new NFL. Among the quarterbacks eligible for the draft, Jackson is one of the best dual threat players on the board. His size, 6-7 and 245 pounds, is intriguing and he has an impressive arm, but a completion rate below 60% is worrisome and may scare off some teams. He will get drafted, but do not expect Jackson to go in the first three rounds.

Running Backs: (7)

• Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis: 431 rushes for 3,545 yards and 36 touchdowns. 63 catches for 758 yards and 8 touchdowns in 38 games played. Finished 10th in 2018 Heisman voting. 2018 Consensus All-American. #1 in NCAA in rushing ypa., #2 in rushing touchdowns, #2 in rushing yards. #8 best running back according to USA Today.
• Joshuwa Holloman, RB, Eastern Michigan: Track athlete. 
• Alexander Mattison, RB, Boise State: 581 carries for 2,829 yards nad 33 touchdowns. 60 cathces for 511 yards nad 1 touchdown in 38 games played. #2 nationally with 302 rush attempts in 2018, #7 nationally in rushing touchdowns (17), #8 nationally with 1,415 yards rushing. 
• Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic: 714 carries for 4,287 yards nad 66 touchdowns. 51 catches for 397 yards and  touchown in 38 games played. 2017 CUSA MVP. Most rushing attempts in NCAA, #4 in rushing yards, #1 in rushing touchdowns in 2017. #8 in career rushing touchdowns (66). 
• Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State: Only played one season at Utah State. 153 carries for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns. 23 cathes for 351 yards and 2 touchdowns in 13 games played. 
• Kerrith Whyte Jr., RB, Florida Atlantic: 232 carries for 1,358 yards and 11 touchdowns. 22 catches for 227 yards and  touchdowns in 37 games played. Career 26.1 yards per kickoff return. 
• Tony Pollard, RB/KR/WR, Memphis: 139 carries for 941 yards and 9 touchdowns. 104 catches for 1,292 yards and 9 touchdowns in 40 games played. 30.1 yards per kickoff return for his career, including 7 touchdowns. Career leader in kickoff return touchdowns and led the nation with a 40.0 kickoff return average in 2017. 

Let's start with the best of the group. Memphis running back Darrell Henderson was the most explosive running back in the nation last season. He is a bit undervalued due to his time at Memphis, but the Tigers have produced quality NFL players in the past. He is easily a 2-3 round pick in my opinion and has more explosion than any other back in the draft.

Mattison and Singletary are both impressive players that carried the ball quite a bit in their college careers. There are worries that Singletary is more of the player he was as a senior rather than the dominant back he was as a junior. Mattison was a workhorse in 2018, giving scouts the thought that a bit of tread is gone from the tire. Both should hear their names called in the 5-6 rounds of the draft, if not earlier.

Thompson has the chance at being a late round pick, but would have benefited from spending one more season with the Aggies. Same with Kerrith Whyte Jr. He would have been the feature back in the Owls offense with the opportunity to shine in Kiffin's offense.

Tony Pollard is an interesting prospect. He set the kickoff return touchdown record in three seasons and has a full season averaging 40 yards per return in 2017. Whether he is drafted or not, Pollard should be on a roster with a chance to earn a KR/PR job and has the ability to produce in the running and passing game as needed.

Tight End: (3)

• Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego State: 51 catches for 637 yards and 8 touchdowns in 19 games played. 
• Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State: 72 catches for 873 yards and 3 touchdowns in 27 games played. 
• Keenen Brown, TE, Texas State: One year at Texas State. 51 catches for 577 yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 games played. Top 10 in Sun Belt in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in 2018. 

Of the three, Brown is the most intriguing. Brown was a no factor with the Cowboys, but turned into a receiving option of choice at Texas State. He has the size and ability to block, but has to prove he is willing to do so at the NFL level.

Warring and Raymond have a chance to make a roster, but their chances of getting drafted depend on how multiple their skill sets can be at the next level.

Wide Receiver: (9)

• Jalen Guyton, WR, North Texas: Transfer from Notre Dame. 103 catches for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns in 25 games played. 
• Diontae Johnson, WR, Toledo: 135 catches for 2,235 yards and 23 touchdowns in 999 career games played. 
• Dredrick Snelson, WR, Central Florida: 106 catches for 1,519 yards and 15 touchdowns in 32 games played. 
• John Ursua, WR, Hawaii: 189 catches for 2,662 yards and 24 touchdowns in 33 games played. #9 in receptions (89), #5 in receiving yards (1,343), and #1 in receiving touchdonws (16) in 2018. 
• Preston Williams, WR, Colorado State: Transfer from Tennessee. 16 catches for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns in 7 games played at Tennessee. 96 catches for 1,345 yards and 14 touchdowns for Colorado State in 2018. #1 nationally with 96 receptions, #4 with 1,345 receiving yards, and #3 in receiving touchdowns (14) in 2018.
• Penny Hart, WR, Georgia State: 203 catches for 2,960 yards nad 19 touchdowns in 29 games played. Top 10 in Sun Belt in receptions in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Led Sun Belt in receiving yards in 2015 and 2017. 
• Cortrelle Simpson, WR, Richmond: Transfer from Temple. 96 catches for 1,670 yards and 11 touchdowns in 20 games played at Richmond. 
• Jovon Durante, WR, Florida Atlantic: Transfer from West Virginia. 60 catches for 726 yards and 7 touchdowns at WVU. 65 catches for 873 yards and 5 touchdowns at FAU in 36 total games played.
• Jazz Ferguson, WR, Northwestern State: Transfer from LSU. 2 catches for 17 yards at LSU in one game played. 66 catches for 1,117 yards and 13 TD at Northwestern State in 11 games played.

One thing the NFL has realized in the last several years is that talent at wide receiver can be found at all levels. This group has multiple transfers from P5 programs in addition to very effective players that battled injuries.

The most exciting of the transfers is Colorado State's Preston Williams. The former Vol looked like a bust in Knoxville, but made the trip to the MWC and led the nation in catches. More impressive is the fact that he did so on a down Rams team that struggled with consistent quarterback play.

Ursua, Hart, and Johnson are pass catching machines, but past injuries will be scrutinized by the medical crews of NFL teams. Hart in particular is small but explosive and could be a steal for the right team in the right offense.

The FCS is sending two players from the wide receiver group and I feel like both are in need of another year at the college level. Ferguson was especially explosive in 2018, but he only had two college catches before last season.

Offensive Line: (2)

• Chidi Okeke, OT, Tennessee State: Transfer from LSU. Two-year starter at TSU. First-team OVC in 2018. 
• Tyler Roemer, OT, San Diego State: Started 23 straight games for SDSU. Former USA Today Freshman All-American. Kicked off SDSU team in 2018. 

Finally, the offensive line comes to the party. Okeke seemed like a player ready to declare for the NFL as soon as he set foot on the Nashville campus of TSU. He seems a year away, but it remains to be seen if he will hear his name called this spring (not incredibly likely).

Roemer is very interesting because he will fall into the character issues category. He is a former Freshman All-American and started 23 games in a row before being suspended and then removed from the Aztec roster.

Welcome Back (To Me)

It has been a while, but I have finally decided to dust off the old blog and get back to writing about my beloved G5 football. I cannot guarantee how often I will write as I am just getting into the flow, but I feel a bit rejuvenated and expect to get back into gear quickly. Look forward to reading about my thoughts on the G5 starting Monday.

Glad to be back.

Which G5 And Below Players Will Be In The Buffalo Bills At Jacksonville Jaguars Matchup?

By Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA - Flickr

Wild card weekend in the NFL is here and now is a great time to take a look at the "small program" players that will participate in the upcoming games. We will start with the 3/6 matchup of Buffalo and Jacksonville.

Buffalo (17):

AAC (3):

• Dion Dawkins, LT (Temple): Starting left tackle. 11 starts as a rookie in 2017.
• Charles Clay, TE (Tulsa): Starting tight end. 49/558/2TD. 318 catches for 3,447 yards and 23 touchdowns during his career.
• Zay Jones, WR (East Carolina): Backup wide receiver. 27/316/2TD as a rookie in 2017.

MAC (1):

• Cap Capi, DE (Akron): Backup defensive end. 5 tkl, 1 sack in 2017.

CUSA (2):

• Jordan Mills, RT (Louisiana Tech): Starting right tackle. 16 starts in 2017. 66 career starts.
• Joe Webb, QB (UAB): Third team quarterback. 35 yards passing, 54 yards rushing in 2017.

MW (2):

• Eddie Yarbrough, DE (Wyoming): Starting defensive end. 34 tackles, 1 sack in 2017.
• Tanner Vallejo, LB (Boise State): Backup MLB. 4 tkl in 2017.

Sun Belt (1):

• Mike Tolbert, FB (Coastal Carolina): Backup RB/FB. 66/247/1TD in 2017. 696/2,649/34TD during his career.

Independents (1):

• Vladimir Ducasse, G (Massachusetts): Starting right guard. 12 starts in 2017. 42 career starts.

FCS and below (7):

• Colton Schmidt, P (UC Davis): Starting punter. 44.7 punt average in 2017. 44.1 career punting average.
• Colt Anderson, S (Montana): Backup free safety. 3 tkl in 2017.
• Ryan Davis, DE (Bethune-Cookman): Backup defensive end. 26 tkl, 3 sacks in 2017.
• Ramon Humber, LB (North Dakota State): Backup WLB. 89 tkl, 1 sack in 2017.
• Deon Lacey, LB (West Alabama): Backup SLB. 7 tkl in 2017.
• Khari Lee, TE (Bowie State): No stats in 2017.
• Cedric Thornton, DT (Southern Arkansas): Backup defensive tackle. 27 tkl, 2 sacks in 2017.

Jacksonville (15):

AAC (2):

• Blake Bortles, QB (UCF): Starting quarterback. 3,687 yards passing and 21 TD in 2017. 14,928 yards passing and 64 career touchdowns.
• AJ Bouye, CB (UCF): Starting cornerback. 56 tkl, 6 INT in 2017. Pro Bowl selection.  

MAC (2):

• Barry Church, S (Toledo): Starting strong safety. 74 tkl, 1.5 sacks, 4 INT in 2017.
• Blair Brown, LB (Ohio): Backup WLB. 15 tkl, 0.5 sacks in 2017. 

CUSA (1):

• Josh Walker, OL (MTSU): Third string left guard.

MW (2):

• Tashaun Gipson, S (Wyoming): Starting free safety. 64 tkl, 4 INT in 2017.
• Peyton Thompson, S (San Jose State): Backup free safety. 12 tkl in 2017.

Sun Belt (1):

• Montay Crockett, WR (Georgia Southern):No stats in 2017

Independents (0):

• None.

FCS and below (7):

• Keelan Cole, WR (Kentucky Wesleyan): Backup wide receiver, but second on the team in catches. 42/748/3TD as a rookie in 2017.
• Chris Ivory, RB (Tiffin): Backup running back. 112/382/1TD in 2017.
• James O’Shaughnessy, TE (Illinois State): Third team tight end. 14/149/1TD and 5 tkl in 2017.
• Donald Payne, LB (Stetson): Backup MLB. 13 tkl in 2017.
• William Poehls, OT (Montana): Third string right tackle.
• Chris Reed, OL (Minnesota State): Backup left guard.
• Josh Wells, OL (James Madison): Backup left tackle. 

Notes:

• Three of the five starters on the Buffalo offensive line are from the G5 (Temple, Louisiana Tech, Massachusetts). 
• Three of the four starters in the Jacksonville secondary are G5 (UCF, Wyoming, Toledo).
• Blake Bortles is one of 10 G5 or below quarterbacks to start a majority of the season for his team. 
• Undrafted free agent Keelan Cole is the only NAIA player to participate in this game and is second on the team in receptions as a rookie. 
• Including special teams, there are 10 starters in this game from the G5 and below. A case could be made the Zay Jones and Keelan Cole are basically starters despite being listed as #2 on the depth chart. 

UCF Defeats Auburn: Does That Change The G5 Perception?

The nation watched as UCF went directly into SEC country and took the scalp of an Auburn team that should have won easily on paper. You know… SEC, 5-stars, more resources, and so many other advantages. While the nation saw that result as an upset, those that live and die with the results of the “little guys” saw it coming from a mile away. It’s not like this type of upset has happened in a BCS/NY6 game before, right?

Just since the 2010 BCS Bowls:

• 2018 Peach Bowl: UCF 34, Auburn 27
• 2016 Peach Bowl: Houston 38, Florida State 24
• 2015 Fiesta Bowl: Boise State 38, Arizona 30
• 2014 Fiesta Bowl: UCF 52, Baylor 42
• 2011 Rose Bowl: TCU 21, Wisconsin 19
• 2010 Fiesta Bowl: Boise State 17, TCU 10

The only G5 teams to lose in a BCS/NY6 game during that time were WMU in the Cotton Bowl, NIU in the Fiesta Bowl and TCU in the G5/G5 Fiesta Bowl. There was no G5 representative in the 2012 BCS schedule after an undefeated Houston squad lost to Southern Miss in the CUSA title game.

Outside of the MAC, the G5 representative has been able to hold their own and beat the best of the best in the P5. That isn’t even going back far enough to include wins like Boise State over Oklahoma or Utah over Alabama.

Let’s wait for the P5 excuses. There were injuries, the P5 team saw it as a glorified scrimmage, the G5 team would never hang in the SEC/ACC/Big 12/Big 10/Pac 12, they got lucky, the refs gave them that game. Did I hit all of the excuses or are there more?

While another G5 team winning on a nation stage is awesome and a great feeling for everyone involved, will it change anything long term?

That is a tough question to answer. There are too many factors to look at to pigeon hole an answer that everyone would enjoy. I personally believe that the metaphorical stone has already started its roll down the hill, but not just because of so many big wins. Instead, what I call the Ed Oliver effect is what will change everything long term.

The Ed Oliver effect is a group of prospective players finally understanding that you do not have to go to Alabama or Ohio State or USC to get the attention of the nation. Oliver was a 5-star recruit out of high school that chose Houston and the AAC over pretty much any school in the nation. Never doubting his ability, Oliver will be a rising junior that is also a two-time first team All-American and Outland Trophy winner. He will go in the top five overall after his junior season and become the most anticipated defensive lineman in the NFL since Suh was drafted by the Lions.

Sure, you are asking why Oliver will make more kids stay home or stay away from the P5 when Eric Fisher went #1 overall and nothing changed. Well, this is where things get complicated. We just experienced the first early signing day and things were a little more bumpy than in previous seasons for the big boys. 

Those borderline 3-star players that end up making an impact after getting poached by the P5 are no longer around at such a high rate. They will instead stay with the G5 team that showed them love in the first place and sign in December. Or… we could see the same things that formerly happened in February start to happen in December. This is 17 and 18 year old kids we are talking about.

Also, it is clear to everyone that the NFL will find talent no matter where a player spends his time at college. Kareem Hunt led the NFL in rushing and he went to Toledo, Antonio Brown lead the NFL in receiving and went to CMU, Kevin Byard led the NFL in interceptions and went to MTSU.

NFL starting quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger (Miami OH), Alex Smith (Utah—a G5 at the time), Blake Bortles (UCF), Case Keenum (Houston), Derek Carr (Fresno State), Andy Dalton (TCU—a G5 at the time), Carson Wentz (NDSU), Joe Flacco (Delaware), Josh McCown (Sam Houston State), and Jimmy Garoppolo (EIU) all went to G5 or lower programs. That is 10 of the 32 players in the most important NFL position coming from the little guys. 

Go along any position from punter (Brett Kern/Toledo) to pass rusher (Kahlil Mack/Buffalo) to tight end (Travis Kelce/Cincinnati) and you will find one of the best players at the highest level from the G5 and below.

Later, I will look at the current NFL teams and break down just how many G5 players should make an impact in the upcoming playoffs. A mini G5 primer for the NFL playoffs. 

For those that skipped to the end—the talent gap is getting smaller and smaller, paving the way for a G5 team to finally play in the national title game sooner than we can even imagine. Thank you to UCF for adding another brick to the foundation of the G5 versus P5 argument.