Archer was productive but not dominant like most sure fire FCS QBs are.  His completion percentage (60%) is good enough but as a scout you would like to see it closer to 63 or above.  He also had 9 INTs and 16 TDs.  In his defense though his offense calls for a good bit of running and he is not asked to carry his team like others are.  Archer is certainly a good enough athlete and as I said before has the arm to get a look.  He just needs some more time to develop and become consistent.  He also needs more reps.

Archer will certainly get a shot in camp but with just one season of starting experience it will be tough to make a camp the first time out.  If NFL Europe were around he would be a prime candidate for it to improve for 1-2 years and then have a great shot at making a roster.  Despite not having NFLE he is still a solid prospect who will no doubt be scooped up very quickly after the draft.

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.

OT David Pickard, Southern Illinois, Jr.- Pickard had a breakout season in 2009 and clearly put a stamp on the fact he is one of the best in the nation.  He has the feet, technique, and strength of a potential NFL player.  Keep an eye on this returning first-team All-Missouri Valley selection as he could be one of the best to ever come out of the league.

OG David Arkin, Missouri State, Sr.- Arkin has talent and could be a potential NFL prospect with another good season.  He returns as a three-time All-Missouri Valley selection and has the reputation as one of the best already.  His ability in pass protection and his good footwork make him a very tough player to face.

C Ryan McKnight, South Dakota State, Sr.- While most would say Arkin is the most dominant in the league you could make a case for McKnight as the best as well.  As a returning first-team All-Missouri Valley selection, the awards back up that statement.  While not a NFL prospect he is a hard working player that just moves defenders and opens up huge holes for RB Kyle Minett to plow through.  Don’t be surprised if McKnight falls through the cracks when the media starts selecting preseason awards but remember the name.  It would be shocking if he does not repeat as a first-team All-Missouri Valley player despite the lack of reputation nationally.

OG D.J. Hall, Texas State, Jr.- It is rare to see a junior high up on preseason lists on the line, let alone two, but this year that is the case.  Hall has a good body as well with tree trunk thighs, long arms, and the overall body type that NFL teams look for.  He shows good strength and footwork and should only get better.  He is a returning two-time All-Southland selection and was named first-team in 2009 and he still has two more years to play.  Keep an eye on this young kid as he possesses the talent to become one of the best in the nation.

OTHERS WORTH MENTIONING

OT Mike Person, Montana State, Sr.

OT Theo Sherman, James Madison, Sr.

OT Will Rackley, Lehigh, Sr.

OT Derek Moore, Eastern Kentucky, Jr.

OT Jeff Adams, Columbia, Jr.

OT Tom Compton, South Dakota, Jr.

OT Leonard Payton, Jacksonville, Jr.

OT Mark Tos, UC Davis, Sr.

OT/OG Daniel Kilgore, Appalachian State, Sr.

OG Corey O’Daniel, Gardner-Webb, Sr.

OG J.C. Oram, Weber State, Jr.

OG Pat Illig, Wofford, Sr.

OG Brant Clouser, Villanova, Sr.

OG Jon Opperud, Montana, Jr.

OG Tylor Chambers, Jacksonville State, Jr.

OG Slade Adams, Tennessee Tech, Soph.

C Alex Verlanic, Montana, Sr.

C Drew Lachenmayer, Richmond, Sr.

C Joe D’Orazio, Penn, Sr.

C William Falakiseni, Norfolk State, Sr.

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.

FS Mark LeGree, Appalachian State, Sr.- It really seems as though LeGree should have graduated by now doesn’t it?  Well, usually players who we feel this way about are studs and LeGree is no exception.  I love his ball skills, range, hard-hitting style, and his speed.  The kid can play.  His numbers back that up as a two-time first team All-American and Nagurski Trophy Candidate, which is given annually to the best defender in all of college football regardless of division.  LeGree could be a big time NFL prospect this season but will need to bulk up, become a consistent form tackler, and continue to work on his technique in coverage.  He returns with 19 career INTs and tallied 70 tackles, 2 TFL, 7 INTs, 6 breakups, and one forced fumble in 2009.  As someone who follows the draft very carefully I have already given the young man a 6th round grade for next year and could see him going as high as the 3rd or 4th round with continued physical development and improvement in his technique.

OLB J.C. Sherritt, Eastern Washington, Sr.- Sherritt is the only player among those written up here that really don’t appear to have a NFL future but he still deserves mention as one of the leading candidates.  He finished 2009 as a leading vote-getter and first-team All-American with 170 tackles, 11.5 TFL, one pick, 4 breakups, 4 fumble recoveries, and 3 forced fumbles in 12 games.  As a two-time returning All-Big Sky selection in one of the best leagues for Buchanan candidates Sherritt has to be among the leading contenders and is a name to monitor in 2010.

CB Korey Lindsey, Southern Illinois, Sr.- While some proclaimed LB Brandin Jordan as the best on the SIU defense in 2009 there is no doubt in my mind that Lindsey was their defensive MVP with his speed, change of direction, ball skills, sure tackling, and range.  At 5′11, 185 pounds, and with the his flexibility and change of direction he possesses he is clearly one of the very few blessed with NFL talent and skills at the corner position.  His ability in the return also helps and could boast his draft stock higher than many expect.  After watching over 8 games of this young man there is no doubt he will play at the next level.  Lindsey was named an AFCA All-American in 2009 with 63 tackles, 2.5 TFL, one sack, 6 INTs, 4 breakups, and one fumble recovery in 13 games and repeated as an All-American and first team All-Missouri Valley selection. Don’t  be surprised to see him as a highly ranked prospect entering the 2010 season and a sleeper to finish high in the Buchanan voting as he does possess many of the similar skills that DRC and Rashean Mathis brought to the table.

DT Kendrick Ellis, Hampton, Sr.- Ellis was dismissed from South Carolina for violating school policy and lucky Hampton landed this mammoth (6′5, 340 pounds) prospect that can change games with his ability to push the pocket, attract double teams, and wreak havoc in the backfield.  Ellis is a two-time All-MEAC selection and has the numbers to warrant serious consideration.  With 51 tackles, 15 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 hurries, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 2009 and 7.5 TFL, 39 tackles, and 3.5 sacks in 2008 it is clear he is improving each season and there is no doubt he should have a monster senior season.  Ellis is one of the few players in the MEAC that opposing coaches have to scheme around and perhaps the top NFL prospect in a league that often produces NFL talent.  Hopefully he will be on the preseason Buchanan Award Watch List because excluding this monster would be a travesty.

DT Martin Parker, Richmond, Sr.- Parker returns as a previous Buchanan Finalist despite flying under the national radar.  Parker earned second team All-America and second team All-CAA honors, which was a huge snub.  Expect an even better 2010 campaign despite producing 75 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, one breakup, 10 hurries, and 2 forced fumbles as a junior.  His numbers have improved every year on campus and if he can continue to get bigger, the NFL is a legitimate chance as well.

OTHERS WORTH WATCHING

DE Malcolm Taylor, Alcorn State, Sr.

DT Renard Williams, Eastern Washington, Jr.

DT Teryl White, NC Central, Sr.

LB A.J. Storms, Idaho State, Jr.

LB Derek Domino, South Dakota State, Sr.

LB D.J. Smith, Appalachian State, Sr.

LB Bryce Smith, Samford, Sr.

LB Antoine Wilkinson, Missouri State, Sr.

LB Jake Trantin, William & Mary, Jr.

LB Tyler Holmes, UMASS, Jr.

LB Marty Patterson, Gardner-Webb, Sr.

LB Jose Gumbs, Monmouth, Jr.

LB Josh Bey, UT Martin, Sr.

LB Jabara Williams, Stephen F. Austin, Sr.

CB Asa Jackson, Cal Poly, Jr.

CB B.W. Webb, William & Mary, Soph.

CB Trumaine Johnson, Montana, Jr.

CB Justin Rogers, Richmond, Sr.

CB T.J. Heath, Jacksonville State, Sr.

CB Jeremy Caldwell, EKU, Jr.

S Conrad Kjerstad, South Dakota State, Sr.

S Jason House, Southern, Sr.

S Eugene Clifford, Tennessee State, Sr.

S Malcolm Bronson, McNeese State, Soph.

EARLY CANDIDATES

WR Matt Szczur, Villanova, Sr.- Even though he claims to be returning this year, it would be smart to see how high he goes as most players drafted in the top 5 rounds, and he could be, take that money.  Hopefully he returns though as the reigning CAA OFF and Special Teams Player of the Year.  He rushed for 813 yards and 10 scores, passes for 2 touchdowns, and hauled in 51 passes for 610 yards and 4 more scores.  Not to mention he returned 30 kickoffs for 816 yards and 1 touchdown.

RB Devon Moore, Appalachian State, Sr.-  ASU always has someone on this list and with Edwards gone, Moore is sure to get more carries while they develop the new QB.  A 2009 1st team All-SoCon selection, Moore rushed for 1,374 yards and 19 touchdowns in 14 games.  Expect to see big numbers from Moore.

WR Tysson Poots, Southern Utah, Sr.- Poots is one of the top unknown receivers in FCS as a two-time All-American returning from a season in which he put up 1,081 yards and 15 touchdowns despite injuries forcing him out of a couple games.  Don’t be surprised to see Poots with better numbers as long as their is a capable QB in place.

LT Ben Ijalana, Villanova, Sr.- Seeing a lineman on this list is unusual but Ijalana is well worthy and probably would make the official list if not for WR Matt Szczur.  He is a two-time 1st team All-CAA selection and 2009 1st team All-American.  Ijalana is also one of the top small school pro prospects coming out in 2010.

QB Pat Devlin, Delaware, Sr.-Devlin is the first player listed that is a returning Payton finalist.  Despite not being named All-CAA Devlin was one of the best in the nation last year.  His receivers did not help much last year with many dropped balls but things should be better in 2010.  He threw for 2,664 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just 9 INTs last year.

RB Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington, Jr.- Jones is one of the best running backs in college football, regardless of division, as the speedy back has the skills to play at the next level, if he continues to develop.  He rushed for 1,213 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore.  Don’t be surprised to see those numbers go up as he will likely take more of a load this year with most of their production through the air gone.

RB Chase Reynolds, Montana, Sr.-He was second on the team in receptions (38) and rushed for 1,502 yards and 22 touchdowns last year.  Reynolds has been one of the best backs in FCS over the last two years and while their line will see a major overhaul there is no reason to believe that Montana won’t reload.

QB Jeremy Moses, SFA, Sr.-Moses is another returning finalist for the award and the returning Co-SLC Player of the Year after throwing for 4,124 yards and 40 touchdowns.  Don’t be surprised to see him produce big numbers again in 2010.

OTHERS WORTH MENTIONING

WR Simmie Yarbrough, SELU, Jr.

QB Michael Herrick, NAU, Sr.

RB Kyle Minett, SDSU, Sr.

RB Jonathan Grimes, W&M, Jr.

QB Malcolm Long, SCSU, Sr.

QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Sr.

RB Ed Gowins, Stony Brook, Jr.

RB Chris Evans, Samford, Sr.

MISSOURI STATE

MSU was on the right track in 2009 with a 6-5 overall mark and they return plenty of talent in 2010 to make a run at the MVFC title and potentially make some noise in the playoffs.  Their only major loss is All-American TE Clay Harbor, a likely NFL Draft pick.  Among the returning players includes 1st team All-MVFC selections OG David Arkin and LB Antoine Wilkinson and 2nd team selections DL Waylon Richardet and DB  Skylar Smith.  Wilkinson led the team with 113 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 8 pass breakups in 2009.  Smith was 2nd on the team with 94 tackles and broke up 5 passes.  Richardet could be among the best in the nation in 2010 returning after posting 43 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks last year.  They also return honorable mention All-MVFC QB Cody Kirby and P Jordan Chiles as the top returners.  Kirby passed for 2,114 yards and 11 touchdowns but also threw 16 INTs last year.  Not to mention the injuries that MSU suffered at RB.  If Kirby can improve his pass efficiency and they can stay healthy at RB, this team is one to watch. Junior WR Jermaine Saffold, RT Jake Duron, LT Bob Shapel, RB Mikael Cooper-Falls, LB Adam Beauchamp, and FS Derek Miller give them a lot of potential stars to watch for.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

SDSU probably should have made more noise than they did in 2009 boasting a very talented squad that almost beat Montana in the first round.  QB Thomas O’Brien is expected to lead the squad in 2010 and has a lot of talent returning starting with All-MVFC selections RB Kyle Minett, TE Colin Cochart, C Ryan McKnight, and potential stars RT Jon Fick and RB Tyler Duffy.  Losing all 3 starting WRs will hurt along with losing LT Casey Knips and RG Casey Bender but there is enough talent here to challenge for the conference title.  Defensively, they lose All-American and MVFC Co-DEF POY DE Danny Batten but return All-MVFC selections P Dean Priddy, SS Conrad Kjerstad (81 tackles, 5 INTs), LB Derek Domino (97 tackles), and they will get CB General Parnell (23 tackles, 4 INTs) back from injury.  With Batten gone it will be up DE Jake Steffen (6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) and DE Antonio Thompson (5.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) to step up.  After a second place finish in 2009 this team is primed to possibly win the league in 2010.

JAMES MADISON

Many thought they would be a playoff contender in 2009 but their early struggles doomed their fate.  Despite losing Buck Buchanan Award Winner DE Arthur Moats, TE Mike Caussin, OG Dorian Brooks, WR Rockeed McCarter, and CB/RS Scotty McGee you know that Mickey Matthews will turn things around.  In fact he ended the 2009 season showing that this team will not give up and that they have plenty of young talent for the future.  After losing four straight games in the middle of the season and 5 of their first 7 they went on to win the last 4 games, including a win over a ranked Delaware program, Maine, UMASS, and thrashing Towson.  QB Justin Thorpe (654 rushing yards, 1260 passing yards) finally has a year under his belt and should be among the best in the CAA.  He will have plenty of weapons back starting with WR Marcus Turner (10 catches, 78 yards), FB Donnell Brown, RB Scott Noble (282 yards, 1 TD), RB Jamal Sullivan (451 yards, 4 TDs), and a solid line.  Losing his top two receivers (McCarter, Caussin) will be tough but their last few recruiting classes hauled in the talent to ease the losses.  LT Theo Sherman and LG Roane Babington could form the top left side of a line in the CAA.  On defense, LB Pat Williams (87 tackles, 8 tackles for loss), SS Vidal Nelson (57 tackles), WS Jon Williams (58 tackles, 5 tackles for loss), DE D.J. Bryant (32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks), and DT Ronnell Brown (26 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks)) give them a solid group to build around.  This team might not be ready to contend for a national title but they certainly can make noise in the league and potentially make the playoffs with only Villanova being a definite title contender at this point.

UC DAVIS

UCD finished 6-5 overall last year and could be improved this season. Losing WRs Chris Carter and Bakari Grant along with C Tommy Hernandez will hurt but they return just about everyone else.  Among those returnees include 1st team All-GWFC selections OT Mark Tos, TE Dean Rogers (29 catches, 326 yards), K Sean Kelley (12-15 FG), LT Sean Davies, QB Greg Denham (2,932 yards passing), DE Eric Sobotka (32 tackles, 5 tackles for loss), DT Jake Maxson, and SS Danny Hart (53 tackles).  Defensively is where they have the most transition losing five starters with LB Mike Morales (81 tackles) being the top priority to replace.  The strength of the defense will be on the line with 3 starters back.  LB Dozie Amajoyi (#4 tackler, 50 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks) will be counted on to pick up the slack left by Morales and Mike Healey. (50 tackles, 2.5 TFL).  This program has the look of a definite top 25 team in 2010.

Let me keep going through personnel and I will add some teams to this list throughout the off-season.

Villanova won their first FCS title while I was gone.

I hope to start getting back in the swing of things in the next few weeks. Interviews with new head coaches, stories on big recruits, and all kinds of off season fun.

 Unfortunately this week has been very busy. This means two things. I can’t make it to Chattanooga, and I don’t have much time to write.

I apologize for not giving this game the rundown it deserves. Here’s a quicky.

Montana has been clicking on all cyclinders since the end of the South Dakota State game.

Villanova has played very well with the exception of some issues in the William and Mary game.

The key in this game is how the Montana offense will handle the 3-3-5 defense. People have argued back and forth about this in the comment section. Here’s the issue: It’s not that Montana has not played good defenses. It’s that they haven’t seen a 3-3-5. Those of you who have ever faced a 3-3-5 understand the issues. In a 3-3-5, there are 3 down linemen, 3 LBs, and 5 DBs. Essesntially every play is a blitz, and as an offensive lineman, it is hard to make your reads and know who to block. So the keys will be how well they scout it, how well they understand it, and how they adapt to it during the game.

We all know the rest about both of these teams. It’s been drilled into us every week since Thanksgiving.

I’ve got to say:

Montana Grizzlies 24  Villanova Wildcats 20

Sorry for the delay. It’s been a crazy week filled with travel, blizzards, and all kinds of other stuff.

In 30 minutes William and Mary will take the field against Villanova. When the teams faced off earlier this year it was a fantastic game. The Tribe’s costly redzone turnovers really made the game.

Tonight the Tribe’s defense and running game will take them to the championship.

William and Mary 24  Villanova 21

App St-Montana has been 9 years in the making. The teams last faced off in the 2000 semifinals. The Griz won that game in OT 19-16.

I expect a great game in this one. I’ll say that I expect a lot of Armanti’s typical heroics, but the last drive comes up just short.

Montana 27  Appalachian State 21