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In the FCS Huddle: FCS NFL Draft defensive prospects
By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - This is the year of the defensive back for NFL hopefuls coming out of the Football Championship Subdivision.
At every turn, there is a cornerback or safety blanketing the coverage.
Cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson of Montana, Josh Norman of Coastal Carolina, Ryan Steed of Furman and Asa Jackson of Cal Poly have been at the top of the class for some time, but other candidates have filled in to provide excellent depth.
At the NFL Combine, 12 FCS defensive prospects earned invitations and only one - Montana inside linebacker Caleb McSurdy - does not play in the secondary.
Following are capsules of the top FCS defensive draft possibilities for April 26-28:
1. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana, 6-2, 204
Projected round: Third
The lowdown: Clearly the FCS' top defensive prospect, Johnson is physically imposing for a cornerback, possessing excellent size, length and athleticism. He is an instinctive player who closes well on the ball. He is physical at the point of contact (using his long arms) and a playmaker in coverage (he had 15 career interceptions at Montana). Quarterbacks often threw away from his coverage in college. He does not have exceptional speed (an official 4.61- second time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine) and can be beaten by quick receivers. He could be switched to safety considering the ever-growing size of NFL tight ends. An in-season arrest and plea on a disorderly conduct charge will not hold him back.
http://sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4485240
By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - This is the year of the defensive back for NFL hopefuls coming out of the Football Championship Subdivision.
At every turn, there is a cornerback or safety blanketing the coverage.
Cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson of Montana, Josh Norman of Coastal Carolina, Ryan Steed of Furman and Asa Jackson of Cal Poly have been at the top of the class for some time, but other candidates have filled in to provide excellent depth.
At the NFL Combine, 12 FCS defensive prospects earned invitations and only one - Montana inside linebacker Caleb McSurdy - does not play in the secondary.
Following are capsules of the top FCS defensive draft possibilities for April 26-28:
1. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana, 6-2, 204
Projected round: Third
The lowdown: Clearly the FCS' top defensive prospect, Johnson is physically imposing for a cornerback, possessing excellent size, length and athleticism. He is an instinctive player who closes well on the ball. He is physical at the point of contact (using his long arms) and a playmaker in coverage (he had 15 career interceptions at Montana). Quarterbacks often threw away from his coverage in college. He does not have exceptional speed (an official 4.61- second time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine) and can be beaten by quick receivers. He could be switched to safety considering the ever-growing size of NFL tight ends. An in-season arrest and plea on a disorderly conduct charge will not hold him back.
http://sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4485240
