Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
MTSU has had just one single player drafted the past half-dozen years, albeit a darn good one in safety Kevin Byard. They’re a team that’s fun to watch, but I don’t see any draftable players on the depth chart in the foreseeable future.
DQ Thomas is more of what we’re seeing from the college game — a linebacker with safety size. Thomas is quick, instinctive and outstanding in pursuit. He’s also very tough, but he gets caught up in the trash and can be easily taken from the action by blocks.
Related | College Football Week 1: Tony Pauline previews the biggest games
I doubt Thomas gets drafted, but he could make an NFL roster as an eighth linebacker and special teamer.
Martell Pettaway is a smallish, creative ball carrier who could line up as a third-down back at the next level.
Reminder: To view my grades and projected draft rounds for Conference USA draft-eligible prospects, scroll to the end of the article.
North Texas Mean Green
North Texas has had a nice degree of success in Conference USA, often making postseason appearances despite never winning a conference title. Then again, the program that produced Mean Joe Greene has not had a player drafted since 2004.
I presently grade a pair of UNT prospects as last-day selections.
Junior Jyaire Shorter is a nice-sized receiver who offers an imposing target. He has excellent length, reliable hands and terrific upside. Shorter’s production has been marginal, and he must become more prominent in the UNT passing game if he is to get noticed in the scouting community.
Dion Novil is a terrific defensive lineman with size (height) and growth limitations. He possesses a great first step as well as a closing burst bearing down on the play. Novil flashes power, but he also plays a bit tall at times. He projects as a three-technique tackle at the next level.
Old Dominion Monarchs
Despite Conference USA’s intention to play this season, Old Dominion has made the decision to sit out 2020 due to the pandemic. It’s sad in the sense that the program has several senior prospects whose draft stock could have been elevated by a good campaign.
Lawrence Garner had the best chance of any senior to move into the late rounds. Garner is an athletic linebacker who plays with a forceful style. He’s explosive moving around the field and shows ability not only in pursuit but blitzing up the field.
Related | 2021 NFL Draft prospects who will benefit from a coaching change
James Fagan is a mobile tackle who may be pushed inside to guard at the next level. He’s fluid on his feet and nicely fits a zone-blocking scheme.
Receiver Eric Kumah is someone who showed next-level ability at Virginia Tech, where he started his college career. He offers solid size and dependable hands, but he struggled with injury last season.
It will be interesting to see if any ODU seniors accept the NCAA’s plan for an additional year of eligibility and return in 2021.
Reminder: To view my grades and projected draft rounds for Conference USA draft-eligible prospects, scroll to the end of the article.
Rice Owls
The last time Rice had a player selected in the draft was 2015, just months after the program made its last bowl appearance. The former won’t change any time soon.
Bradley Rozner is a tall, thin wideout with next-level hands and a developing game. Rozner lacks great speed, but he could fit as a fifth wideout and possession receiver in the NFL.
There are some scouts who really like Blaze Alldredge, a terrific college linebacker with great intensity and instincts. But Alldredge tips the scale at barely 220 pounds and plays in the 4.8-second range.
Page 1: Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, FIU, Louisiana Tech, Marshall
Page 2: Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Old Dominion, Rice
Page 3: Southern Mississippi, UAB, UTEP, Western Kentucky