Just a few days out from the NFL Draft. Not surprisingly, there's no Leathernecks listed on the NFL's draft page, but there are a fair number of MVFC players that have been getting a few looks from teams. Might see a few of them go this weekend, and likely nearly all of them will be picked up at some point after the draft is over as possible "depth" or practice squad players.
You can view the MVFC players on the list here: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/tracker?i ... ourivalley (most of them aren't any big surprises...top SR RBs from SIU, NDSU, UNI, SDSU, a couple of very good TE's a a couple of defensive players...names you'd recognize if you watched most of the football games last season).
NFL Draft
Scott Lawson - Board AdminWestern Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Also, SI posted an article about the top "underrated" prospects at various positions and a couple of MVFC players showed up.
Here's the applicable text (because the page has an annoying auto-play video...the link will be at the bottom):
Running Back: David Johnson, Northern Iowa
Johnson is a very interesting player. At 6'1" and 224 pounds, he doesn't fit the modern running back prototype, and he might be seen as more of an H-back prospect. The Northern Iowa product runs with surprising speed and agility, and he can add estimable receiving skills to his palette. Johnson washed away a lot of strength of competition concerns with a great week at the Senior Bowl, and he blew it up at the combine with a 4.5 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical jump. Ideally, he'll be drafted by a team with a creative offensive coordinator who realizes his multi-positional potential.
Tight End: MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois
At 6'2" and 251 pounds, Pruitt may project best as an H-back hybrid at the next level, but I like his release off the line, second-level speed, understanding of zone coverage, and good hands. He's also a great blocker, which will keep him on the field for a higher percentage of reps. It didn't happen against compelling competition, but Pruitt led all NCAA tight end with 81 catches and 13 touchdowns in 2014.
Link: http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/28/2015-N ... pe=default
Here's the applicable text (because the page has an annoying auto-play video...the link will be at the bottom):
Running Back: David Johnson, Northern Iowa
Johnson is a very interesting player. At 6'1" and 224 pounds, he doesn't fit the modern running back prototype, and he might be seen as more of an H-back prospect. The Northern Iowa product runs with surprising speed and agility, and he can add estimable receiving skills to his palette. Johnson washed away a lot of strength of competition concerns with a great week at the Senior Bowl, and he blew it up at the combine with a 4.5 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical jump. Ideally, he'll be drafted by a team with a creative offensive coordinator who realizes his multi-positional potential.
Tight End: MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois
At 6'2" and 251 pounds, Pruitt may project best as an H-back hybrid at the next level, but I like his release off the line, second-level speed, understanding of zone coverage, and good hands. He's also a great blocker, which will keep him on the field for a higher percentage of reps. It didn't happen against compelling competition, but Pruitt led all NCAA tight end with 81 catches and 13 touchdowns in 2014.
Link: http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/28/2015-N ... pe=default
Scott Lawson - Board AdminWestern Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Draft is over. For those of you who are interested, MVFC players that were drafted are:
David Johnson (RB, UNI) - drafted by the Cardinals (22nd pick in 3rd Round)
MyCole Pruitt (TE, SIU) - drafted by the Vikings (7th pick in 5th Round)
Kyle Emanuel (OLB, NDSU) - drafted by the Chargers (17th pick in 5th Round)
James O'Shaughnessy (TE, ISUr) - drafted by the Chiefs (37th pick in 5th Round)
Undrafted Free Agent Signings:
Zach Zenner (RB, SDSU) - Lions
John Crockett (RB, NDSU) - Packers
Jermaine Barton (OT, ISUr) - Bills
Brandon Prate (DE, ISUr) - Steelers
Travis Manning (CB, MSU) - Chiefs
Malcolm Agnew (RB, SIU) - Packers
David Johnson (RB, UNI) - drafted by the Cardinals (22nd pick in 3rd Round)
MyCole Pruitt (TE, SIU) - drafted by the Vikings (7th pick in 5th Round)
Kyle Emanuel (OLB, NDSU) - drafted by the Chargers (17th pick in 5th Round)
James O'Shaughnessy (TE, ISUr) - drafted by the Chiefs (37th pick in 5th Round)
Undrafted Free Agent Signings:
Zach Zenner (RB, SDSU) - Lions
John Crockett (RB, NDSU) - Packers
Jermaine Barton (OT, ISUr) - Bills
Brandon Prate (DE, ISUr) - Steelers
Travis Manning (CB, MSU) - Chiefs
Malcolm Agnew (RB, SIU) - Packers
Scott Lawson - Board AdminWestern Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000