We’re through the first round of college football bowl games, so it’s a perfect time to highlight some 2022 NFL Draft prospects from smaller programs. Let’s take a look at what prospects shined the brightest over the past few days.
Please keep in mind that this article only includes players eligible for the upcoming draft. True freshmen and sophomores don’t qualify. I’ve probably missed a few prospects announcing they’ll return to school, so I apologize if a returning player appears in this article.
Information on height, weight, and sacks comes from ESPN.
Feel free to tell me in the comments or on Twitter @Sam_Teets33 if you saw a player over the weekend that belongs on this list.
UP: Bailey Zappe, QB Western Kentucky
Zappe has a chance to become one of the highest risers during the pre-draft process. The former Houston Baptist transfer set the FBS single-season passing yards and passing touchdowns records in the Boca Raton Bowl against Appalachian State. He finished the season with 5,967 yards, 62 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on 475 completions (686 attempts).
Zappe has an unorthodox throwing motion, which could cause some concern. He lacks elite arm talent from what I’ve seen, but he’s still capable of dropping in long passes. Some people in the scouting community believe he’s capable of starting in the NFL.
If Davis Mills went in the third-round, Zappe could easily be a second-rounder.
DOWN: D'Jordan Strong, CB Coastal Carolina
Strong was awesome in 2020. He intercepted five passes and scored a defensive touchdown, but that ball production didn’t translate to this season. Strong finished the year with seven passes defensed and no interceptions. He allowed two receptions on three targets for 40 yards against Northern Illinois.
UP: Malik Willis, QB Liberty
I jumped off the Willis train earlier this year, but it was fun to see him carve up Eastern Michigan. I wish Liberty drew a tougher opponent in the Lending Tree Bowl, but Willis still displayed his world-class arm talent by dropping in a few deep dimes with elite accuracy.
Willis finished the game with 231 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and two scores on the ground. His athletic ability as a runner is unparalleled in this quarterback class, making it unlikely he falls outside of the top 50 selections. The Auburn transfer’s hiccups against greater competition and propensity to have high-turnover games are his greatest weaknesses.
DOWN: Ronald Awatt, RB UTEP
Awatt went into the New Mexico Bowl coming off a tough game against UAB where he averaged 2.6 yards per attempt. Things didn’t get much better against Fresno State. Awatt ran 14 times for 40 yards (2.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown. He was more effective as a receiving option, snagging three passes for 46 yards.
UP: Jerreth Sterns, WR Western Kentucky
Sterns is 5'9" and weighs 195 lbs., so we won’t see him enter the first-round discussion anytime soon. However, the Houston Baptists transfer will finish the 2021 season with the most receptions and receiving yards in the nation. His 150 receptions lead all other FBS players by 48, and only Deven Thompkins is within 420 yards of his receiving mark.
Sterns is also tied with Pittsburgh’s Jordan Addison for the receiving touchdown lead with 17. The Western Kentucky star reached his current totals thanks to a 13-reception performance in the Boca Raton Bowl that included 184 yards and three touchdowns.
DOWN: Alex Wright, EDGE UAB
Wright entered the Independence Bowl against BYU as one of college football’s best kept secrets. He’ll remain a secret for most fans because he barely impacted the bowl game. Wright entered Saturday averaging four pressures per game, but he failed to record a pressure for the second time this season.
UP: Deven Thompkins, WR Utah St.
Thompkins is the only player that’s come close to challenging Sterns for the receiving crown this season. Not even six receptions, 115 yards, and a touchdown in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl could close the gap. Thompkins is second in the FBS with 102 receptions and 1,704 yards. He’s also scored ten touchdowns through the air.
Thompkins’ size (5'8", 155 lbs.) could become a massive limiting factor when he enters the draft.
DOWN: Decobie Durant, CB South Carolina St.
Durant announced himself to the larger college football world with a two-interception game against Clemson earlier this year. The 5'11", 180 lb. senior has four quality seasons with the Bulldogs under his belt, but Saturday’s game against Jackson State wasn’t his best. Durant allowed three receptions on five targets for 35 yards and a touchdown.
UP: Tyler Allgeier, RB BYU
Allgeier still has two years of eligibility even though he’s four seasons into his career with BYU. However, the California native might want to strike while the iron is hot. He carried the ball 276 times for 1,606 yards and 23 touchdowns this season, including 27 carries for 192 yards and three scores against UAB In the Independence Bowl.
Allgeier is a beast at using his compact frame (5'11", 220 lbs.) to force missed tackles and gain yards after contact. He’s currently fourth in the FBS in rush attempts, third in yards, and tied for first in rushing touchdowns.
DOWN: Kevin Atkins, IDL Fresno St.
Atkins finished the New Mexico Bowl against UTEP with only two assisted tackles. He only recorded one pressure after averaging 2.5 per game through his first 12 appearances. The 6'3", 305 lb. fifth-year interior defensive lineman has a chance at getting drafted after a standout final season, but Saturday’s performance didn’t help his hopes.
UP: Isaiah Likely, TE Coastal Carolina
Likely finished his senior season strong with seven receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns in the Cure Bowl against Northern Illinois. That brings the 6'4", 240 lb. Massachusetts native to 59 receptions, 912 yards, and 12 touchdowns on the year.
Likely is one of the few tight ends this year with a chance to hear his name in the first two rounds. He won’t get many compliments for his blocking abilities, but many NFL offenses prefer their tight ends to operate as “bigger wide receivers” at this point.
DOWN: Demetrius Taylor, EDGE Appalachian St.
Taylor is in his fifth season with the Mountaineers. I wanted him to enter the draft last year, and the decision to return might seal his fate as an undrafted free agent. Taylor recorded one tackle and two pressures in the Boca Raton Bowl after a season full of missed tackles.
Taylor is a tweener with his 6'1", 290 lb. frame.
UP: Bryant Koback, RB Toledo
Koback finished his fourth season with the Rockets in strong fashion. After one 100-yard performance in his first seven appearances, the 6'0", 210 lb. Ohio native finished the year with six consecutive 100-yard games. Koback carried the ball 18 times against Middle Tennessee in the Bahamas Bowl for 126 yards.
Koback is tenth in the nation with 1,400 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns despite only ranking 26th in attempts (208).
DOWN: Reed Blankenship, S Middle Tennessee
Blankenship is another fifth-year player who enters a draft class loaded with talent at his position. The Alabama native made four tackles in the Bahamas Bowl and only allowed one reception on four targets for one yard. However, the 6'1", 204 lb. college veteran missed six tackles.
Missed tackles have plagued Blankenship since his freshman season. His 27 missed tackles this year led all safeties in the FBS.
Honorable Mentions Stock Up
Grayson McCall, QB Coastal Carolina
Jordan Mims, RB Fresno St.
Samuel Womack, CB Toledo