With the combine coming up this week I thought I would share my top 100 FCS prospects.  Once the combine is complete the top of the board will be re-shuffled and the entire board will be re-done once all the pro day numbers are in.  Don’t be surprised if there are some unknown FCS names who climb up the board.  You might find a few you don’t know already that are in the top 100.  Please note that players in the top 40 are considered to be locks to get in a camp.

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Archer is interesting because he has the size, arm strength, and accuracy to possibly make it in the NFL and because the class is so weak he does not have to worry about getting lost in the shuffle.  There are so many good FCS RBs this year and easy to forget or overlook some decent players but at QB scouts have been combing hard to find players because there have not been many.  Previous W&M QBs have not made it but they all got a shot.

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When doing the early Payton and Buchanan Lists I mentioned one lineman and thought that it would only be fair to give the offensive line more love with a list of some top names to keep an eye on for preseason All-America lists, NFL prospects, and the best returning players in FCS.

OT Ben Ijalana, Villanova, Sr.- If he is not the first name mentioned by a media outlet or anyone who claims to be int he know then they just aren’t in the know.  Ijalana has the big butt, thighs, and long arms that NFL teams covet and he is just plain dominant.  Not only is the two-time first-team All-CAA and 2009 first team All-American player at NFL prospect because of his body type and dominance he shows the ability to bend, is great at the second level, and shows he can handle the speed rush, bull rush, and technically sound players with his feet and use of hands.

OT Johnny Culbreath, South Carolina State, Sr.- Culbreath is another highly regarded NFL prospect because of his body type, quick feet, and strength.  While he is inconsistent and sometimes plays down to his competition he showed against South Carolina and App State that he more than has the ability to play at the next level.  He enters 2010 as a two-time first team All-MEAC, 2009 MEAC OL of the Year, and 2009 second team All-American and should be among the top names on any preseason All-America list.

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Every year the race for the Buchanan Award seems to heat up mid-season when a few players surpass the rest and usually the race comes down to just 2 or 3 players by the time voting comes around.  As a voter in the process, here is an early peak at a few names to keep an eye on entering the season.

EARLY BUCHANAN FAVORITES

DE Christian Anthony, Grambling State, Sr.- Anthony enters 2010 as one of the top players in the nation that likely 90 percent of FCS fans have not seen.  For those that have missed out on seeing him you are missing out and truly have not done yourself justice.  A two-time first-team All-SWAC selection, Anthony was named a first team All-American and SWAC DEF POY in 2009 with 76 tackles, 15 TFL, 8 sacks, 5 INTs, 7 hurries, 3 TDs, and 5 forced fumbles.  At 6′4, 275 pounds he has the size and clearly has dominated the way a NFL prospect should.  Watching him he clearly is raw and has not faced anyone that can shut him down and primarily his motor is to blame.  He doesn’t give up on the play and is so quick off the edge that most tackles would have to start before the ball is snapped, which is illegal, just to keep up with him.  Don’t be surprised to see his name move up draft charts as we inch closer to the draft and as the NFL starts showing heavy interest in this potential superstar in the FCS for 2010.

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WEEKLY PAYTON/BUCHANAN WATCH LIST UPDATE- November 9, 2009

WEEKLY WALTER PAYTON AWARD WATCH LIST

QB BRIAN BABIN, SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA, SR.
PASSING: 178-280, 2,079 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs, 63.57%
RUSHING: 43 carries, -35 yards, 1 TD
TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS: 23
PASSING YARDS PER GAME: 14th/259.88
TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME: 255.50
PASS EFF: 17th/147.58
GAMES: 8

QB PAT DEVLIN, DELAWARE, JR.
PASSING: 161-260, 2,063 yards, 15 TDs, 6 INTs, 61.92%
RUSHING: 70 carries, 115 yards, 4 TDs
TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS: 19
PASSING YARDS PER GAME: 20th/229.22
TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME: 242.00
PASS EFF: 22nd/143.00
GAMES: 9

QB ARMANTI EDWARDS, APPALACHIAN STATE, SR.
PASSING: 168-237, 2,223 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs, 70.89%
RUSHING: 91 carries, 502 yards, 13 TDs
TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS: 23
PASSING YARDS PER GAME: 10th/277.88
TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME: 340.63
PASS EFF: 3rd/161.07
GAMES: 8

QB DERRICK FOURROUX, MCNEESE STATE, SR.
PASSING: 154-243, 1,980 yards, 19 TDs, 5 INTs, 63.37%
RUSHING: 101 carries, 512 yards, 4 TDs
TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS: 23
PASSING YARDS PER GAME: 24th/220.00
TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME: 276.89
PASS EFF: 11th/153.51
GAMES: 9

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