NDN: Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields looks like the real deal
By John Blair
Most underrated: Jared Brinkman, UNI
While people will overlook UNI Jared Brinkman due to his lack of ideal size and only average athletic ability he has the talent to make an NFL roster. His best asset as a player is his strength. He consistently is able to get penetration into the backfield due to his strength and great leverage. He shows a quick first step as well and when not beating his opponent with power can beat his man off the ball. These two traits are part of the reason why Brinkman was named Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year and led the conference with nine tackles for loss in just seven games.
Most overrated: Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
Going into the 2021 season Ohio State’s Haskell Garrett is being billed as one of the best defensive tackles in college football. This hype does not live up to his play on the field though as he only has 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks during his Ohio State career. He lacks the physical skills to be a high draft pick as well showing only average speed after his first step off the ball. He can also be manhandled at the line of scrimmage due to his lack of power.
Defensive tackle that should significantly improve his stock: Taron Vincent, Ohio State
A player Ohio State is counting on to have a big year this season is former five-star recruit Taron Vincent. Vincent saw playing time as a freshman in 2018, but the last two seasons he has been nicked up with a shoulder injury. This spring though he has been healthy and dominant on the football field with Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson saying that Vincent has everything they look for in a three-technique defensive tackle. Vincent should also be starting for the first time this season now that Tommy Togiai is off to the NFL.
Biggest risk: Brandon Pili, USC
USC’s Brandon Pill is a risky prospect for two reasons. The first reason is that he will miss this season with a torn Achilles and has also battled injuries throughout his career. The second reason teams will be hesitant to add him is his lack of production. Last season, he only recorded five tackles and looked out of shape most of these years. Despite these concerns though, a team will likely bring him in as a free agent due to his combination of size and explosiveness.
Top small school defensive tackle: Mike Greene, James Madison
Despite playing out of position last year James Madison’s Mike Greene was one of the top players in the FCS last year. He finished the season with 25 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks in just eight games. He is also getting his share of attention from NFL teams being named to the Senior Bowl watch list.
Special teams standout: Thomas Booker, Stanford
Thomas Booker has been a standout on special teams over the past couple of seasons. Last year he was named the Phil Moffatt Award winner which is given to Stanford’s most outstanding special teams player. His play of the year is when he blocked a PAT against California to win the game for the Cardinals.
Overall Rankings
1. Demarvin Leal, Texas A&M (first round)
2, Jordan Davis, Georgia (second round)
3. Zachary Carter, Florida (second round)
4. Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma (third round)
5. Tyler Davis, Clemson (third round)
6. Thomas Booker, Stanford (third round)
7. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama (fourth round)
8. Keondre Coburn, Texas (fourth round)
9. Dante Stills, West Virginia (fourth round)
10. Haskell Garrett, Ohio State (fifth round)
11. DaQuan Newkirk, Florida (fifth round)
12. Taron Vincent, Ohio State (fifth round)
13. Chris Hinton, Michigan (fifth round)
14. Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma (fifth round)
15. DJ Dale, Alabama (fifth round)
16. Christopher Hinton, Michigan (fifth round)
17. Travis Jones, UCONN (fifth round)
18. Dion Novil, North Texas (fifth round)
19. Jermayne Lole, Arizona State (sixth round)
20. Demetrius Taylor, Appalachian State (sixth round)
21. Zacch Pickens, South Carolina (sixth round)
22. Devonte Wyatt, Georgia (sixth round)
23. Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina (sixth round)
24. Tomari Fox, North Carolina (seventh round)
25. Mike Greene, James Madison (seventh round)
26. Marquan McCall, Kentucky (seventh round)
27. Nesta Silvera, Miami (seventh round)
28. Jared Brinkman, UNI (seventh round)
29. Ifeanyi Maijeh, Rutgers (seventh round)
30. Kobie Turner, Richmond (seventh round)
31. Israel Antwine, Oklahoma State (seventh round)
32. Roderick Perry II, Illinois (free agent)
33. Ralph Holley, Western Michigan (free agent)
34. Kobie Whiteside, Missouri (free agent)
35. Josh Pryor, Bowie State (free agent)
36. Viane Moala, Utah (free agent)
37. Sam Roberts, Northwest Missouri State (free agent)
38. Brandon Pili, USC (free agent)
39. Manny Jones, Colorado State (free agent)
40. Cory Durden, North Carolina State (free agent)
41. Joseph Wallace, Sam Houston State (free agent)