NFL Draft Blitz

Every summer before the upcoming college football season, scouts, fans, and sportswriters alike begin to ponder the elite prospects across the nation who will merit a first day selection in the next NFL draft. That is the nature of sports and specifically football where we are always looking for the next big thing. And while year after year, our guesses on these prospects are confirmed, there always seems to be some guys who have gone unnoticed their entire college careers but then become first day picks in the draft. Here are five of the past players that have experienced this.

1. Willis McGahee, RB, Miami: McGahee was always viewed as a good athlete, but many thought that he would have to play fullback if he ever wanted to sniff the field at Miami. The season before his break-out year in 2002, McGahee was buried on the depth chart as a redshirt freshman while fellow freshman Frank Gore took the world by storm as Clinton Portis' backup. There was never talk of McGahee's NFL potential. A spring knee injury to Gore pressed McGahee into the starting role where he ripped off one of the top college running back seasons in recent memory. As a redshirt sophomore, he was already being thrust into the top-5 picks of the 2003 draft by the time the National Championship game came about. Even after sustaining a serious knee injury of his own, McGahee still was drafted in the first round.
2. Brian Urlacher, LB/S, New Mexico: Urlacher spent his college career playing everything from safety to linebacker, wide receiver, and even kick returner. His athletic ability was never questioned, but he was never considered first day material until his senior year, and more specifically in the post-season workouts. Questions about his position, size, and strength were answered quickly as he gained 15 pounds of muscle, showed incredible instincts at linebacker, and unparalleled strength. That vaulted him into the first round.
3. Tatum Bell, RB, Oklahoma State: Bell was a top-recruit out of high school, but during his first three seasons in Stillwater, he never made much of an impact. It seemed he was always injured and did not have the size to take a pounding in the NFL. A stellar senior season combined with an excellent combine showing where he wowed scouts with his speed and athleticism, he leapt into the second round after being viewed as a late round pick at best before.
4. Nate Burleson, WR, Nevada: Burleson was incredibly productive as a college player at Nevada, much in the same way Mike Hass has been at Oregon State. But like Hass, he was viewed as too slow and small to excel at WR in the NFL. At the combine, Burleson impressed with this route running, hands, and return abilities, and as such moved from a relative unknown into a 3rd round pick and instant contributor for the Vikings. He has parlayed all of this into a new deal with the Seahawks (7 years, $49 million).
5. Antwaan Randle El, QB/WR, Indiana: Randle-El was always viewed as one of the best option quarterbacks in the country at Indiana. His teams never won that much, but he put up great numbers both running and passing. Due to his size and limited arm strength, scouts discounted him as just another great college player who would not translate well to the NFL game. The Steelers took notice of his incredible athleticism and versatility and made him a second round pick. His willingness to move from QB to WR/KR/PR made him more attractive to teams and as such, he slipped into the first day.

This year will see many of the same players who have impressed teams enough over the last few months to warrant someone using a first day pick on them in a week.

1. Jon Alston, LB/S, Stanford: Alston has performed at a high level at Stanford during his entire career, but has gone unnoticed due to the fact his games are on late at night and his team does not win like UCLA, USC, and Oregon. But teams have taken notice now, as Alston has showed that he is in the same class as A.J. Hawk and Ernie Sims when it comes to athletic ability and his versatility is making him attractive too. Combine that with a great work-ethic and his team-oriented demeanor, and you could see Alston off the board by as soon at the end of the 2nd round.
2. Danieal Manning, DB, Abilene Christian: Initially a Nebraska recruit, Manning was a Title V casualty and because of that, landed at D-II powerhouse ACU. From day one, he was a man amongst boys, but his feats went unnoticed. Manning had enough confidence in his abilities however to leave school early for the draft. It looks like his decision has paid off and his instincts were right, as he is firmly planted as one of the top-5 safeties in the draft. His combination of size, tackling ability, coverage skills, and kick return experience have scouts drooling and he will be gone by the first part of the 3rd round.
3. Kamerion Wimbley, OLB/DE, Florida State: Wimbley has been overshadowed during his time at FSU by Antonio Cromartie, Ernie Sims, and A.J. Nicholson, however teams definitely know who he is now after showing both amazing pass rush skills and the ability to play LB during his post-season workouts. His combination of size and speed at 6'5" 250 lbs, 4.5/40 have him soaring up draft boards and now is a potential mid-1st round pick. He will be an excellent asset to a team who runs the 3-4 a la Shawne Merriman.
4. Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP: Howard has been playing in obscurity in El Paso, but some diligent scouts already had him on their minds. Howard has tremendous size at 6'4", 255 lbs and at the combine, he ran a 4.5/40. He was the heart and soul of the Miners defense and he then put on a show at the Senior Bowl. All of this together has projected now as a late-1st, likely early-mid 2nd round pick.
5. Tony Scheffler, TE, Western Michigan: Scheffler, a former QB, has displayed amazing hands, speed, and route running over the last few months and has translated that into a potential late 2nd to early 3rd round pick. Some teams even have him rated ahead of Marcedes Lewis and Anthony Fasano. While his blocking is inconsistent, he has been a steady receiver over his career. Since teams are always looking for the gamebreaker across the middle, Scheffler will likely be a first day pick after playing for a team that many fans do not know exists.

This is only a sample of the many players who have played their college careers in obscurity and have been or will be first day draft picks. It goes to show that while production and performance in the national spotlight is important, it is not the end-all, be-all for NFL scouts.