He found this with the New York Jets. Watson quickly became both too big and too fast for anyone trying to guard him at the FCS level, and his stats bear this out: Over parts of four seasons in Fargo, he caught 105 passes for 2,140 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed a Deebo Samuel-esque 49 times for 392 yards and two more scores. But he is pretty short and really productive. After having a couple above-average seasons as only the second string running back in Jacksonville, Jones-Drew was made the starter for 2009. Glossary, Stat Minimums, Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football. Chase put up modest numbers as a true freshman before emerging as a star in 2019 with 84 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 TDs to help LSU win a national title. From that game forward, Strong ran his way to an invitation to the NFL combine. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Christian Darrisaw had three offers, all from FCS programs (Central Connecticut State, Morgan State and North Carolina Central), before Virginia Tech came into the picture. Probably the least known player on the list, but a great player nonetheless. The Green Bay Packers quarterback has, in past interviews, discussed that he was not noticed as a high school player in part because he was slender and lacked the size coaches want from their quarterbacks. Backup Linemen: OT Charles Leno, Bears (6' 3", 306 pounds), G/C David Andrews, Patriots (6' 3", 306 pounds) Both are quality starters. The discount-double-check man himself was certainly double checking his dreams of becoming an NFL quarterback after not receiving a single Division I scholarship offer out of high school. But, every once in a while a few small guys will come into the NFL and wreak a little havoc. Tebow reportedly working out at TE with Jags, Harris apparently had three plane tickets with him during that trip. Jaylen Waddle was one of three five-star recruits to sign with Alabama during the 2018 cycle. There were 19 players each from Houston (TX) and Miami (FL) high schools on Kickoff Weekend rosters, tied for the most of any city. In 2004, Welker signed with the Chargers, but was later cut. 32 lingering post-draft questions: Will Lions have regrets? Ultimately, Chase opted to stay local by signing with LSU. Paul George put up impressive numbers during his high school career and he won multiple awards for his performances on the court. When the season began, he immediately made up for the lost time, returning an interception 32 yards for a touchdown in the season opener. BYU entered Wilsons recruitment late, but Wilson quickly jumped on the offer and signed with the Cougars. But most people forget to imagine how small this receiver really is. Top current NFL players from small schools (FCS or below) Hailing from Oakland, Alijah Vera-Tucker decided to head south to Los Angeles for his college football career. His best season was in 2007 when he recorded 96 tackles and multiple turnovers. Starks was expelled from that school following a theft, but he found new life at Oklahoma State University. The move paid off in a big way. 2017 position ranking: No. But those who know Kraft, and especially Kraft himself, will tell you that he does his best work where there is work that must be done. Jackson is the opposite of Ray Rice. Cole Strange's introduction to playing on the offensive line was a No. Fields would back away from his PSU pledge and ultimately sign with Georgia. He obtained 328 all-purpose yards, the third most in NFL postseason history. "And I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.". He plays the every-down back role that every team needs to have in their running back. Because of his 40-yard dash time, Strong went from being just another good FCS prospect to being considered among the best at the combine. And Elliss and Watson have NFL experience in their blood. A total of 247 high schools contributed to the 262 players selected in the seven rounds of the April 28-30 Draft, the most different schools represented since 2016 (247 schools). Relationships, though, outweighed the brand names, and when former defensive line coach Brian Baker left Mississippi State for Alabama, Elliss chose to join his dad at Idaho. He has slightly below 4,000 kick/punt return yards in his career. "[He] changes direction and has good body control and wants to come off the ball and be the most violent person in the nation," NDSU offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl told North Dakota's Inforum after Volson's NFL combine performance. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 2018 position ranking: No. Once he landed in Tuscaloosa, Waddle became a big play threat any time the ball touched his hands. And in 2017, seven players from area high schools were taken. We knew when he was dunking a basketball against over-matched high school opponents that LeBron James was, once he entered the National Basketball Association, going to be special, and he has lived up to every expectation had for him. He led the league in receptions in 2007 and 2009. 17 offensive tackle. Lauren Smith is a sports reporter at The News Tribune. "The facility wasn't as great, but that didn't really matter to me at all. He was drafted in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. And he was never even the starter. There are just 14 active NFL players from Colorado, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com, including four from Denver (population 704,621) and three from Colorado Springs (population 464,474 . Look at these schools that were interested in him." In 2006, he only played 4 games. Players Born in Minnesota, USA | Pro-Football-Reference.com Victor Cruz has made it a habit to prove doubters and those who would write him off wrong. He can get low and run over defenders. During the summer of 2016, Wilson gave a verbal commitment to Boise State. Fate would be kind to Pippen during his college days, as he went through a growth spurt that gained him roughly seven inches in height. In 2020, he was voted a second-team all-SEC selection by the league's coaches. His playing days could have ended at the College of Charleston when he failed to make the college team, but Gardner instead campaigned for an opportunity to practice with the squad. "I just chose to go to Mizzou just because I thought that's what the best competition was," Miller said, referring to playing in the SEC. Unlike the lightly recruited stories above, cornerback Joshua Williams never even had a profile created, his high school career was so obscure. It wasn't like we were eating pizza, chicken wings and beer every night.". He opted out in 2020, but was still able to slide in as the last pick of the first round. Now teams are designing game plans just to stop him. Aaron Rodgers, Pleasant Valley (Chico, Calif.) Green Bay Packers. He earned a scholarship after making the Wisconsin roster and Watt is now a football star who will be noticed just about anywhere he goes. You know Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt as maybe the best defensive player in the NFL and a superstar who has cashed in on a massive contract and on numerous endorsement deals. 2017 position ranking: No. I'll be able to make plays that other receivers can't.". The second half of 2015 will be rough for Nelson, as he will miss the entire NFL season because of a torn ACL. Some, such as Cole Strange, Christian Watson and Pierre Strong Jr., wowed observers at the NFL combine. Record afternoon for former local players in NFL draft NFL Draft 2023: List of selections from Jacksonville-area high schools He had to split his carries with both Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain. Born in Menomonie and a graduate of Mondovi High School, Krumrie was a three-time All-Big Ten selection at Wisconsin and a 12-year pro. Even though Romo has gone on to break multiple franchise records, he receives criticism because of the fact that he has never won a championship and also because he has made costly mistakes late in seasons. Tracking fifth-year options for 2020 first-rounders: Which were picked up, and which were declined? But touchdowns were stolen by McGahee and McClain. Strong said he felt that his NFL dreams came within reach once the Jackrabbits played Colorado State last season. Bagent was invited to the NFL combine and projects as a late-round pick, somewhere between the No. In 2007, he moved up to the second string running back. 2018 position ranking: No. Pro scouts and coaches attend high school and even middle school sporting events in the hopes of finding the next James or the next Crosby. He has been named the "quarterback" of the Jets number one ranked defense. Some were rated by Rivals.com among the nations most elite prospects. In the end, he stuck with his Alabama commitment. Volson played on both the right and left sides and logged time at both tackle and guard. Robinson: Pack to blame for Rodgers draft day stink bomb, QBs Lawrence, Wilson, Lance go 1-2-3 in NFL draft, Darrius Rucker spotted at Lawrences draft day party, Wetzel: Why now? "We had played for a Division II national championship in 2015, and I really believe that it came down to him having a chance to play in front of his family and friends." He has speed and moves like no one else in the NFL. NFL draft 2022 - How prospects from small schools fought to get - ESPN After going through a couple of seasons involving limited playing time with Buffalo and Baltimore, Strong Safety Jim Leonhard decided it was time to go somewhere where they would start him for his ability and forget about his size. 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He did go unnoticed by NBA teams as well, as Starks was not drafted. A five-star recruit in the 2017 class, Harris committed to Alabama as a high school sophomore. XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades. Kyle Pitts began his high school career playing quarterback before he made a move to tight end. It was more, 'OK, I need to come in here and dominate.'". One of the most versatile running backs in the game today, Jones-Drew can pound it through the line for a first down. All the smallest football players in the league right now prove how much can be accomplished with quickness, skill, and drive. 39 strongside defensive end. Each school had at least one former player selected in the NFL Draft: North Clayton South Gwinnett Peachtree Ridge (2) Ola Brookwood Grayson (2) Hapeville Charter Brunswick Calhoun Archer (2) And he did. Even though he has had a very large number of injuries, Sanders has still managed to succeed. "I'm one of the hardest workers you're ever going to find on the field," he said.