Championship Subdivision Football | FCS Football | Stadiums | Blogs | Forums

Sorry for not posting just before the draft as I did last year on some notes on players. Was very busy this year. Here are some insights and tidbits from last weekend's draft.

Ben Ijalana was the first FCS player and it was no shock. I thought he might slip to the third because of the hernia but in all honesty I was told by the Colts that he did slip some. They like him as a high 2nd round pick or late 1st round pick. They love Ijalana and see him as a starter. I have had him as the top FCS prospect for the last three years so no surprise there. I really hope he has a great career.

Will Rackley going in the third was no shock. The Jags had a 2nd round grade on him which was why they were so aggressive in trading up.

Kenrick Ellis is a 2nd round talent but slipped because of concerns. Rex Ryan likes guys with an edge so there is no shock he took him. I will say though that he is awaiting trial and could face jail time. If he is acquitted then this could be a steal as long as Ellis can control his marijuana smoking and stay out of trouble.

Arkin, Jones, Allen, Thomas, and Skrine were all well within their range. I think Thomas was the best prospect of that group though and will be a steal compared to where others were taken.

Jones falling where he did floored Oakland. They couldn't believe they got him there. Most folks had him in the third round so they got great value!

Cortez Allen could be great or he could be out of the NFL in 3 years. There won't be an in between with him as he will either start and be solid or be a bust because he has the tools and movement skills of a starting corner.

Three App State players taken back to back to back as far as the FCS goes. No surprise.

As I said last year LeGree would be the first of the three and he was. He will make Seattle's team. They have some aging safeties and will be releasing or trading 1 or 2 of them, according to my sources in Seattle.

Kilgore really moved up the board and he credits the coaching of McClain who came in and really developed him. That was something they had been lacking was technical coaching and McClain gave him that making Kilgore a good prospect.

I was happy to see DJ Smith taken but to be honest surprised that GB took him. I looked at their roster and I'm not sure he will make it due to the numbers. I hope he can latch on a practice squad.

Markell Carter makes the 3rd UCA DE in 5 years taken. I was not surprised. Tried to get some all-star games to take him. I bet they wish they did now lol.

Loved the pick of Korey Lindsey. That is great value. No doubt he would have gone in the 5th had he not been hurt in the postseason. The injury scared teams but he will make Cincy.

Justin Rogers needs a lot of work but he is fast and versatile and should make his team.

Culbreath, Williams, and Person are all athletic guys who are raw and really not draftable based on the tape but had good workouts and were fairly dominant in FCS making them guys worth taking in the 7th so I have no beef there.

The selection of Frank Kearse and the 400 pound kid from Bethel show how the NFL is looking for run stuffing DTs and being a good pass rusher isn't a big deal to them. That was shown by Parker going undrafted and Kearse being taken. Parker is better than Kearse as a player but Kearse fits the 3-4 very well and can stop the run and brings a decent rush.

Shane Bannon and Curtis Holcomb are the only two selections who floored me. Bannon doesn't have NFL talent. He was Yale's second best prospect and I know his agent is tight wit Pioli so that might have helped. I do know that Bannon ran 4.8s at his pro day, not 4.6s as reported, so that really shocked me. I don't think he makes the team.

Jimmy Wilson is a great story and I'm happy he was selected. I don't think he will make that active roster but I hope he can make the practice squad. He's a good player I just don't think I would have taken him as a GM but I was glad someone took a shot.

Notable UDFAs are Martin Parker, Josh Gatlin, Anthony Bratton, Anthony Walters, Isaiah Abdul-Quddus, Schuylar Oordt, and Colin Cochart.

I think Gatlin going undrafted is surprising because of measurables and he is much better than the CB from Cal PA who was taken solely on his size/speed combo.

Pat Devlin going undrafted is no shock and I put it out there before. He doesn't have the NFL arm. Game manager who I think is a solid FA but his poor pro day, bad Shrine Game, and struggles in the FCS NC Game killed him. I see him in the AFL or CFL. Don't think he can make a NFL roster. I really should have downgraded him more than I did. I let the Flacco and UD QB success crap cloud my judgment as a scout and left him with a borderline draft grade. McElroy going ahead of him was a strong statement in my mind. I think they are similar.

Some UDFAs to keep an eye on that weren't mentioned, if we ever see rookie free agency, include Tommy Irvin, Dominique Johnson, and Courtney Smith.

I know that Smith, Kevin Hughes, and a few others were getting bad advice heading in. I never had them on the draft board and don't think Hughes can make a roster.

Anyway, just thought I would share some info. You probably don't care but that is my take lol.

Hope you guys were happy with the draft and hopefully we have one next year and for many more years!

The Niners took DB Curtis Holcomb from Florida A&M in the 7th round just like last year they took DB Philip Adams from South Carolina St ,as well maybe down the road these two will become eventual starters I was hoping that Adams would have gone much earlier as a late first round selection I felt that he had that type of ability had he competed as a member of his school's track team.The only thing that kept him in my opinion from being drafted much higher was a lack of recovery speed he was clocked in the 4.5 range if he had ran track his time would have been in the 4.3/4.35 range and he at 6-1 198 has the prototypical size teams covet for the position.

SmallCollegeFBFan wrote:Sorry for not posting just before the draft as I did last year on some notes on players. Was very busy this year. Here are some insights and tidbits from last weekend's draft.

Ben Ijalana was the first FCS player and it was no shock. I thought he might slip to the third because of the hernia but in all honesty I was told by the Colts that he did slip some. They like him as a high 2nd round pick or late 1st round pick. They love Ijalana and see him as a starter. I have had him as the top FCS prospect for the last three years so no surprise there. I really hope he has a great career.

Will Rackley going in the third was no shock. The Jags had a 2nd round grade on him which was why they were so aggressive in trading up.

Kenrick Ellis is a 2nd round talent but slipped because of concerns. Rex Ryan likes guys with an edge so there is no shock he took him. I will say though that he is awaiting trial and could face jail time. If he is acquitted then this could be a steal as long as Ellis can control his marijuana smoking and stay out of trouble.

Arkin, Jones, Allen, Thomas, and Skrine were all well within their range. I think Thomas was the best prospect of that group though and will be a steal compared to where others were taken.

Jones falling where he did floored Oakland. They couldn't believe they got him there. Most folks had him in the third round so they got great value!

Cortez Allen could be great or he could be out of the NFL in 3 years. There won't be an in between with him as he will either start and be solid or be a bust because he has the tools and movement skills of a starting corner.

Three App State players taken back to back to back as far as the FCS goes. No surprise.

As I said last year LeGree would be the first of the three and he was. He will make Seattle's team. They have some aging safeties and will be releasing or trading 1 or 2 of them, according to my sources in Seattle.

Kilgore really moved up the board and he credits the coaching of McClain who came in and really developed him. That was something they had been lacking was technical coaching and McClain gave him that making Kilgore a good prospect.

I was happy to see DJ Smith taken but to be honest surprised that GB took him. I looked at their roster and I'm not sure he will make it due to the numbers. I hope he can latch on a practice squad.

Markell Carter makes the 3rd UCA DE in 5 years taken. I was not surprised. Tried to get some all-star games to take him. I bet they wish they did now lol.

Loved the pick of Korey Lindsey. That is great value. No doubt he would have gone in the 5th had he not been hurt in the postseason. The injury scared teams but he will make Cincy.

Justin Rogers needs a lot of work but he is fast and versatile and should make his team.

Culbreath, Williams, and Person are all athletic guys who are raw and really not draftable based on the tape but had good workouts and were fairly dominant in FCS making them guys worth taking in the 7th so I have no beef there.

The selection of Frank Kearse and the 400 pound kid from Bethel show how the NFL is looking for run stuffing DTs and being a good pass rusher isn't a big deal to them. That was shown by Parker going undrafted and Kearse being taken. Parker is better than Kearse as a player but Kearse fits the 3-4 very well and can stop the run and brings a decent rush.

Shane Bannon and Curtis Holcomb are the only two selections who floored me. Bannon doesn't have NFL talent. He was Yale's second best prospect and I know his agent is tight wit Pioli so that might have helped. I do know that Bannon ran 4.8s at his pro day, not 4.6s as reported, so that really shocked me. I don't think he makes the team.

Jimmy Wilson is a great story and I'm happy he was selected. I don't think he will make that active roster but I hope he can make the practice squad. He's a good player I just don't think I would have taken him as a GM but I was glad someone took a shot.

Notable UDFAs are Martin Parker, Josh Gatlin, Anthony Bratton, Anthony Walters, Isaiah Abdul-Quddus, Schuylar Oordt, and Colin Cochart.

I think Gatlin going undrafted is surprising because of measurables and he is much better than the CB from Cal PA who was taken solely on his size/speed combo.

Pat Devlin going undrafted is no shock and I put it out there before. He doesn't have the NFL arm. Game manager who I think is a solid FA but his poor pro day, bad Shrine Game, and struggles in the FCS NC Game killed him. I see him in the AFL or CFL. Don't think he can make a NFL roster. I really should have downgraded him more than I did. I let the Flacco and UD QB success crap cloud my judgment as a scout and left him with a borderline draft grade. McElroy going ahead of him was a strong statement in my mind. I think they are similar.

Some UDFAs to keep an eye on that weren't mentioned, if we ever see rookie free agency, include Tommy Irvin, Dominique Johnson, and Courtney Smith.

I know that Smith, Kevin Hughes, and a few others were getting bad advice heading in. I never had them on the draft board and don't think Hughes can make a roster.

Anyway, just thought I would share some info. You probably don't care but that is my take lol.

Hope you guys were happy with the draft and hopefully we have one next year and for many more years!

I wish that some other guys had been taken with late round selections but because of the current lockout teams will not be able to sign undrafted players like WR's Ricardo Lockette,Larrone Moore and his teammate DT Andre Carroll from Delaware St.Why were you shocked with the selection of Holcomb by the Niners Small College Fan?

dal4018 wrote:The Niners took DB Curtis Holcomb from Florida A&M in the 7th round just like last year they took DB Philip Adams from South Carolina St ,as well maybe down the road these two will become eventual starters I was hoping that Adams would have gone much earlier as a late first round selection I felt that he had that type of ability had he competed as a member of his school's track team.The only thing that kept him in my opinion from being drafted much higher was a lack of recovery speed he was clocked in the 4.5 range if he had ran track his time would have been in the 4.3/4.35 range and he at 6-1 198 has the prototypical size teams covet for the position.

Adams measured in at 5'10 3/4, 192. Seriously, where did you get that Adams was 6'1 198? SC State never hyped him as a possible draft pick and I was told they were surprised the couple weeks before the draft that he started getting so much attention.

SmallCollegeFBFan wrote:

dal4018 wrote:The Niners took DB Curtis Holcomb from Florida A&M in the 7th round just like last year they took DB Philip Adams from South Carolina St ,as well maybe down the road these two will become eventual starters I was hoping that Adams would have gone much earlier as a late first round selection I felt that he had that type of ability had he competed as a member of his school's track team.The only thing that kept him in my opinion from being drafted much higher was a lack of recovery speed he was clocked in the 4.5 range if he had ran track his time would have been in the 4.3/4.35 range and he at 6-1 198 has the prototypical size teams covet for the position.

Adams measured in at 5'10 3/4, 192. Seriously, where did you get that Adams was 6'1 198? SC State never hyped him as a possible draft pick and I was told they were surprised the couple weeks before the draft that he started getting so much attention.

He was a 4 yr starter and in high school he was POY in the state of South Carolina

dal4018 wrote:

SmallCollegeFBFan wrote:Sorry for not posting just before the draft as I did last year on some notes on players. Was very busy this year. Here are some insights and tidbits from last weekend's draft.

Ben Ijalana was the first FCS player and it was no shock. I thought he might slip to the third because of the hernia but in all honesty I was told by the Colts that he did slip some. They like him as a high 2nd round pick or late 1st round pick. They love Ijalana and see him as a starter. I have had him as the top FCS prospect for the last three years so no surprise there. I really hope he has a great career.

Will Rackley going in the third was no shock. The Jags had a 2nd round grade on him which was why they were so aggressive in trading up.

Kenrick Ellis is a 2nd round talent but slipped because of concerns. Rex Ryan likes guys with an edge so there is no shock he took him. I will say though that he is awaiting trial and could face jail time. If he is acquitted then this could be a steal as long as Ellis can control his marijuana smoking and stay out of trouble.

Arkin, Jones, Allen, Thomas, and Skrine were all well within their range. I think Thomas was the best prospect of that group though and will be a steal compared to where others were taken.

Jones falling where he did floored Oakland. They couldn't believe they got him there. Most folks had him in the third round so they got great value!

Cortez Allen could be great or he could be out of the NFL in 3 years. There won't be an in between with him as he will either start and be solid or be a bust because he has the tools and movement skills of a starting corner.

Three App State players taken back to back to back as far as the FCS goes. No surprise.

As I said last year LeGree would be the first of the three and he was. He will make Seattle's team. They have some aging safeties and will be releasing or trading 1 or 2 of them, according to my sources in Seattle.

Kilgore really moved up the board and he credits the coaching of McClain who came in and really developed him. That was something they had been lacking was technical coaching and McClain gave him that making Kilgore a good prospect.

I was happy to see DJ Smith taken but to be honest surprised that GB took him. I looked at their roster and I'm not sure he will make it due to the numbers. I hope he can latch on a practice squad.

Markell Carter makes the 3rd UCA DE in 5 years taken. I was not surprised. Tried to get some all-star games to take him. I bet they wish they did now lol.

Loved the pick of Korey Lindsey. That is great value. No doubt he would have gone in the 5th had he not been hurt in the postseason. The injury scared teams but he will make Cincy.

Justin Rogers needs a lot of work but he is fast and versatile and should make his team.

Culbreath, Williams, and Person are all athletic guys who are raw and really not draftable based on the tape but had good workouts and were fairly dominant in FCS making them guys worth taking in the 7th so I have no beef there.

The selection of Frank Kearse and the 400 pound kid from Bethel show how the NFL is looking for run stuffing DTs and being a good pass rusher isn't a big deal to them. That was shown by Parker going undrafted and Kearse being taken. Parker is better than Kearse as a player but Kearse fits the 3-4 very well and can stop the run and brings a decent rush.

Shane Bannon and Curtis Holcomb are the only two selections who floored me. Bannon doesn't have NFL talent. He was Yale's second best prospect and I know his agent is tight wit Pioli so that might have helped. I do know that Bannon ran 4.8s at his pro day, not 4.6s as reported, so that really shocked me. I don't think he makes the team.

Jimmy Wilson is a great story and I'm happy he was selected. I don't think he will make that active roster but I hope he can make the practice squad. He's a good player I just don't think I would have taken him as a GM but I was glad someone took a shot.

Notable UDFAs are Martin Parker, Josh Gatlin, Anthony Bratton, Anthony Walters, Isaiah Abdul-Quddus, Schuylar Oordt, and Colin Cochart.

I think Gatlin going undrafted is surprising because of measurables and he is much better than the CB from Cal PA who was taken solely on his size/speed combo.

Pat Devlin going undrafted is no shock and I put it out there before. He doesn't have the NFL arm. Game manager who I think is a solid FA but his poor pro day, bad Shrine Game, and struggles in the FCS NC Game killed him. I see him in the AFL or CFL. Don't think he can make a NFL roster. I really should have downgraded him more than I did. I let the Flacco and UD QB success crap cloud my judgment as a scout and left him with a borderline draft grade. McElroy going ahead of him was a strong statement in my mind. I think they are similar.

Some UDFAs to keep an eye on that weren't mentioned, if we ever see rookie free agency, include Tommy Irvin, Dominique Johnson, and Courtney Smith.

I know that Smith, Kevin Hughes, and a few others were getting bad advice heading in. I never had them on the draft board and don't think Hughes can make a roster.

Anyway, just thought I would share some info. You probably don't care but that is my take lol.

Hope you guys were happy with the draft and hopefully we have one next year and for many more years!

I wish that some other guys had been taken with late round selections but because of the current lockout teams will not be able to sign undrafted players like WR's Ricardo Lockette,Larrone Moore and his teammate DT Andre Carroll from Delaware St.Why were you shocked with the selection of Holcomb by the Niners Small College Fan?

I didn't see any NFL talent on FAMU to be honest. I gave Holcomb and Leroy Vann both FA grades. Thought Vann would get cut and he did. I think Holcomb will end up in a secondary league, too.

I don't see the love fest with Lockette. It's like one team told me in a text message just after the draft. Lockette didn't get drafted because film don't lie. Lockette did nothing on tape and was just being pushed by Gil Brandt. Doesn't look good for Gil to have top 100 players go undrafted. Lockette is a great track star but has an out of control ego who needed a dose of reality and got it, he cheated with a banned substance that got him named ineligible, and nobody at FVSU told us that he is a guy they trust or believe in. I just don't get the love fest with Lockette because he ran a fast 40 time. His 40 was faster than his short shuttle and that is very bad when it comes to the NFL. He is a straight line guy who has marginal hands, poor route runner, and doesn't play as fast as he times. He's a track guy really. I compare him to Dexter Jackson but to be honest I at least gave Jackson a draftable grade and thought he could help in the return game. Lockette didn't show me hardly anything in the return game as a senior that made me think he could really help there either.

dal4018 wrote:

SmallCollegeFBFan wrote:
Adams measured in at 5'10 3/4, 192. Seriously, where did you get that Adams was 6'1 198? SC State never hyped him as a possible draft pick and I was told they were surprised the couple weeks before the draft that he started getting so much attention.

He was a 4 yr starter and in high school he was POY in the state of South Carolina

Trey Elder was Mr. Football in South Carolina and he is coaching now. Accolades in high school really don't mean anything. And where did you get that he was 6'1? I have stood next to Adams and he was indeed under 5'11.

Just saying that I didn't see NFL starter in Adams. I think he's a decent backup maybe or special teams guy but I don't think he lasts but 2 or 3 years in the NFL as a fringe roster guy.

Thanks for the info SCFBF, I definitely appreciate it!

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:Thanks for the info SCFBF, I definitely appreciate it!

No problem!