Fansided
Fansided

2019 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 2

By Shawn Spencer

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal scores on a sixty seven yard touchdown run against the Oregon Ducks during the first quarter of the NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal scores on a sixty seven yard touchdown run against the Oregon Ducks during the first quarter of the NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Isaiah Crowell Alabama State Tytus Howard
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 10: Isaiah Crowell #20 of the New York Jets runs the ball in for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 10, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Tytus Howard (OT – Alabama State) vs. Auburn

Why is there a picture of New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell above? Well, Crowell is currently the only player in the NFL who played at Alabama State. Although he wasn’t drafted, Crowell is the school’s only representative at the moment. The Oakland Raiders selected offensive tackle Jylan Ware in the 2017 NFL Draft, however he’s currently a free agent.

Another Hornets offensive tackle, and former teammate of Ware, could be in line to join Crowell very soon.

More from NFL Draft

A former high school quarterback, Tytus Howard has grown into a 6-foot-6, 308-pound tackle. The redshirt senior has dominated the competition at the FCS level, allowing just one sack last season. He’ll have two opportunities this year to face higher-caliber defenses from the FBS, this week against Auburn and later in the season against South Alabama. The Auburn game will present the tougher challenge for Howard, who will have to take on the likes of Marlon Davidson, Nick Coe and Big Kat Bryant.

Howard versus Auburn is the most intriguing matchup between an FCS prospect and an FBS opponent, but it’s far from the only matchup worth watching. Five FCS prospects who were named to the Senior Bowl watch list are facing FBS opponents in week two. Others include Deion Harris (CB – North Dakota) against Washington, Kalen Saunders (DT – Western Illinois) facing Illinois and Samford’s Devlin Hodges (QB) and Ahmad Gooden (DE) taking on Florida State.

This is a big week for small-school prospects and will go a long way in determining who gets invited to the Scouting Combine and an inside track to being selected in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Home/NFL Draft