While Army-Navy is the game that will garner the nation’s attention today, NFL scouts will be watching four college football playoff games featuring teams from the FCS, Division II, and Division III that possess some next-level talent. We will see several of these prospects at the Senior Bowl or Shrine Game next month.
Illinois State vs North Dakota State
North Dakota State is in familiar territory, playing their way through the FCS playoffs. However, in uncommon fashion, the bulk of the game’s talent actually resides on their opponent’s roster – the Illinois State Redbirds.
James Robinson is the top senior prospect in this game and someone who receives a variety of opinions in the scouting community. Robinson was a bit inconsistent during the season but has had two monster games in the FCS playoffs. His pass-catching leaves much to be desired and he presently grades as a late-round pick. We will see Robinson at the Shrine Game. PFN’s Scott Gorman also wrote extensively about Robinson earlier this season.
Devin Taylor has had a monster season, intercepting 5 passes and breaking up 18 more. He’s a cornerback with nice size and outstanding ball skills who could make a big move up draft boards over the next 12 months.
John Ridgeway is a big, bulky nose tackle prospect with great explosion.
Illinois State vs North Dakota State |
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Grade | Rnd | Full Name | School | Pos | # | Yr | |
3.49 | 4-5 | James Robinson | Illinois State | RB | 25 | 4Sr | |
3.45 | 5th | John Ridgeway | Illinois State | DT | 99 | 3So | |
3.35 | 6th | Devin Taylor | Illinois State | CB | 3 | 4Jr | |
3.00 | FA | Adam Solomon | Illinois State | T | 52 | 5Sr | |
2.95 | FA | Luther Kirk | Illinois State | S | 14 | 5Sr | |
2.88 | FA | Brady Davis | Illinois State | QB | 1 | 4Jr | |
2.84 | FA | Zack Johnson | North Dakota State | T | 68 | 5Sr | |
2.81 | FA | Derrek Tuszka | North Dakota State | DE | 91 | 5Sr | |
2.72 | FA | Ben Ellefson | North Dakota State | TE | 82 | 5Sr | |
2.62 | FA | Gabe Megginson | Illinois State | G | 59 | 5Sr | |
Minnesota State vs Slippery Rock
Our first look at a Division II playoff game has just one prospect of mention in this game – a quarterback sneaking up draft boards.
Slippery Rock QB Roland Rivers came into the season graded as roster fodder by scouts, but at this point, it would not be a surprise if he slides into the very late picks of the 2020 NFL Draft. Measuring 6-feet-2-inches and 225 pounds, Rivers has the size, arm strength, and athleticism to compete at the next level.
His numbers this season are gaudy and includes completing 70% of his passes for 4,261 yards, 50 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. Some team is going to draft this Rivers.
Minnesota State vs Slippery Rock |
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Grade | Rnd | Full Name | School | Pos | # | Yr |
3.00 | FA | Roland Rivers | Slippery Rock | QB | 14 | 4Sr |
2.69 | FA | Shane Zylstra | Minnesota State | WR | 84 | 5Sr |
2.68 | FA | Eric Glover-Williams | Slippery Rock | CB | 7 | 4Sr |
2.61 | FA | Evan Heim | Minnesota State | T | 69 | 5Sr |
West Florida vs Ferris State
Often times during small school games just one team has next-level prospects, and that’s the case with this one.
Ferris State defensive end Austin Edwards has the size, growth potential, and upside to get late-round consideration if he checks off all the other boxes in the lead up to the draft. He’s coming off a monster season which included 55 tackles, 16.5 TFL’s, and 10.5 sacks. Though not a pure edge rusher, Edwards shows ability in all facets of the game. We’ll see him at the Shrine Game.
West Florida vs Ferris State |
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Grade | Rnd | Full Name | School | Pos | # | Yr |
3.03 | FA | Austin Edwards | Ferris State | DE | 8 | 5Sr |
2.72 | FA | Tyler Allison | Ferris State | G | 68 | 5Sr |
St John’s vs Wisconsin-Whitewater
We move to Division III where again, just one team has prospects that interest NFL scouts, including the highest-rated D-III player in the nation.
Ben Bartch entered the season graded as a priority free agent and has already accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He’s a tall, lanky college left tackle that I project to guard in the NFL. He’s strong, nasty, and works hard but many question his next-level athleticism.
Quarterback Jackson Erdmann is an accurate game manager who lacks a next-level arm.
St John’s vs Wisconsin-Whitewater |
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Grade | Rnd | Full Name | School | Pos | # | Yr |
3.23 | FA | Ben Bartch | St. John’s – Minnesota | G | 78 | 4Sr |
2.82 | FA | Jackson Erdmann | St. John’s – Minnesota | QB | 2 | 4Sr |
Tony Pauline is Pro Football Network’s NFL Draft Analyst and Insider. Follow him on Twitter @TonyPauline. Follow PFN on Twitter @PFN365.