2010 NFL SCOUTING COMBINE SMALL SCHOOL SNUBS
Every year there are players who turn out to be snubs whether it be simply because they were overlooked or the fact that those that did not perform up to par during the season. Those that get left off do one of two things – turn it up a notch in the postseason or sulk and stop working hard.
This year is no exception and could post some bigger snubs than at this time last year. While there are going to be some pro day risers who will move up the boards it is impossible to know for sure that entire list. WIU LB Jason Williams (3rd round, Cowboys), William & Mary CB Derek Cox (3rd round, Jaguars), St. Paul’s CB Greg Toler (4th round, Cardinals), and Furman CB William Middleton (5th round, Falcons) come to mind as those that did well at their pro days and all-star games and rose up boards after the combine voting in December.
With most of the all-star games complete and the combine just around the corner, here is a look at 10 players considered snubs at this point. Please remember that we don’t have pro day results yet so there will surely be some names that rise up the board that we don’t know about yet.
COMBINE SNUBS
1. DE/OLB DANNY BATTEN, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE, 6023, 248, 4.68
Batten is currently rated #8 on the big board with a 6th round projection and is clearly a player that we feel should have been invited. He capped a three-time first-team all-league career this year as the Missouri Valley Football Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year with 15.5 tackles and 10 sacks in 12 games. While he is limited somewhat athletically, Batten has a great motor, better than expected 40-yard dash speed, and could be a defensive end or linebacker, depending on the scheme. We expect him to clock in the 4.6s and for position coaches in the NFL to notice his motor on tape and take him in the later rounds.
2. FS QUENTIN SCOTT, NORTHERN IOWA, 6036, 220, 4.55
Scott is currently rated #14 on the big board and is a projected 7th round selection. He is still somewhat of an unknown in the media as Scott is just a two-year player for the Panthers who had one productive season. After transferring from Iowa Central CC for the 2008 season he had 20 tackles on special teams before bursting onto the national scene in 2009 where he earned first-team All-Missouri Valley honors with 49 tackles, five interceptions, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick, and 3.5 tackles for loss. Scott ran a 4.62 40-yard dash last spring but don’t be surprised if he clocks in the low to mid 4.5 range at his pro day and is taken in the later rounds. He reminds us of the path that Everette Pedescleaux traveled last year and while he might go undrafted it would be shocking not to see him make a roster in the fall.
3. RB DEJI KARIM, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, 5086, 210, 4.42
Karim is currently #17 on the big board with a 7th-PFA projection. His career started rough having to redshirt in 2008 with a knee injury after he transferred from NE Oklahoma A&M. The compactly built running back burst on the scene in 2009 with 1,693 yards and 18 touchdowns to earn first-team All-America and Missouri Valley Offensive Player of the Year honors. His speed, burst, versatility to return kicks as well as catch the football make him a complete back. With so many shorter compact backs starring in the NFL there is no reason to think that Karim’s height will hurt his chances in the NFL. While he could even go undrafted because of his height he has the athletic ability that will allow him to make a roster. Despite that we still expect him to be drafted because he could potentially run in the high 4.3 range, jump a 40-inch vertical, and impress in other drills at his pro day.
4. CB PATRICK STOUDAMIRE, WESTERN ILLINOIS, 5096, 207, 4.48
Stoudamire is currently rated #19 on the big board and is a 7th-PFA projection. Stoudamire entered the season as a solid free agent and had an impressive year that put him on our draft board. He finishes his career as a three-time first-team all-league selection and was named a second team All-American in 2009. The talented corner showed well in the East-West Shrine Game and was possibly as good as any other corner in the game. If he can run in the 4.4 range or better at his pro day it would be surprising not to see him land in the late rounds. The genes are there as he is related to Damon Stoudamire, Salim Stoudamire, and Chris Mims. Keep an eye on his pro day performance because there is already a buzz around his snub and he could certainly shoot up the board like his teammate Jason Williams did last season.
5. QB MATT NICHOLS, EASTERN WASHINGTON, 6016, 220, 4.90
Nichols is currently rated #21 on the big board and is a 7th-PFA projection. His performance at the East-West Shrine Game was not great but solid and enough to possibly warrant him late round consideration if he does well at the EWU pro day. What a career he had finishing as a two-time Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and was a 2009 AFCA All-American. While Nichols is not a physically imposing player he is a winner who has an adequate arm and shows flashes of a developmental practice squad type player. It would have been nice to see what he would run at the combine because the 4.90 we have is just an estimate.
6. WR MARC MARIANI, MONTANA, 6002, 184, 4.48
Marian is currently #22 on the big board and a 7th-PFA projection. His performance in the FCS playoffs should have earned him an invite to the combine alone as a three-time All-Big Sky selection and 2009 first-team All-American. Mariani had 80 catches for 1,479 yards and 13 touchdowns receiving while returning 32 punts for 507 yards and one touchdown and five kickoff returns for 199 yards and one touchdown. His speed, route running, versatility, and production should warrant late round consideration.
7. DE JAMES RUFFIN, NORTHERN IOWA, 6032, 266, 4.90
Ruffin is #23 on the big board and a priority free agent projection at this point. His week at the East-West Shrine Game was not the best but his performance in the game was a nice rebound. It is hard to believe he did not get a combine invite after earning first-team all-league honors each of the last three seasons and was a two-time All-American. Capping his career as the Missouri Valley Co-Defensive Player of the Year with 14 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, Ruffin had his best season ever in 2009. Falling off our draft board, Ruffin still has plenty of time to move back on to it and the board of many teams with a solid pro day showing, starting with improving the 4.9 40-yard dash time that teams have on him.
8. OT DEREK HARDMAN, EASTERN KENTUCKY, 6054, 300, 5.23
Hardman is rated #25 on the big board and a priority free agent projection. Entering the season he as a possible late round type prospect due to his upside, size, and the dominance he has displayed during his career. He capped his career as a two-time first-team All-OVC selection and a 2009 first-team All-American. Hardman is stiff though, which is something that turns off many coaches, but if he can improve on that and show well at the Texas vs. Nation Game this week he certainly has a shot to get back on the draft board.
9. WR JUAMORRIS STEWART, SOUTHERN, 6011, 196, 4.55
Stewart is #26 on the big board and a priority free agent projection but is somewhat of a surprise not to get an invited after earning AFCA All-America honors in 2009. He finished his career as a two-time first-team All-SWAC selection and hauled in 80 passes for 1,022 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2009. The former Southern Miss transfer is one player we would like to get a confirmed 40-yard dash time on as he did not run in the spring. If he runs in the 4.4 range he could possibly move up on the draft board but if he runs in the 4.5-4.6 range he will likely go undrafted.
10. QB NOAH SHEPARD, SOUTH DAKOTA, 6016, 228, 4.89
Shepard is rated #27 on the big board and a priority free agent projection but could land in the late rounds due to his big arm and athletic ability. Closing out his career as a three-time all-league selection and a first-team All-Great West honoree in 2009, he certainly has put up the production to warrant a look on that alone. He tossed 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with 2,451 yards passing last season and really showed that he has potential. Starting off slow in many games you could argue that much of his production was done only in the second half of several games. If he can shrug that slow start and perform well early in preseason practices and games don’t be surprised if he is on a practice squad or active roster as a developmental prospect.
Others Considered; TE Nate Overbay, Eastern Washington; WR AJ Jackson, California PA; OT J’Marcus Webb, West Texas A&M; DT Sean Lissemore, William & Mary; DE/OLB Larry Hart, Central Arkansas; WR Pat Simonds, Colgate; OLB Samuel Scott, West Chester; QB Trevor Harris, Edinboro; WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon; QB Ryan Perrilloux, Jacksonville State; OT Levi Horn, Montana.
