Today, I will look at the five most intriguing prospects that do not play in the SEC or the Big Ten. These are not necessarily the best prospects in the country. These are just the players that are the most fascinating to me.
Just because the majority of prospects will be selected from the SEC and Big Ten doesn’t mean that we don’t have to care about the rest.
FIVE MOST INTRIGUING PROSPECTS (NON-SEC OR BIG TEN)
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
I happened to watch the Kansas State-TCU game last season and saw Anudike-Uzomah record four sacks against the Horned Frogs. He has great speed off the edge and flattens to the QB. Can FAU continue to get better and build on his 11-sack performance from 2021?
Devin Leary, QB, NC State
There are some that see the Wolfpack as a sneaky CFP contender. If they are, Devin Leary will be the biggest reason why. Leary threw 35 TD passes and completed 65% of his passes. Is he good enough to lead NC State to an ACC title?
Donovan Smith, QB, Texas Tech
I can’t explain my infatuation with Texas Tech QB Donovan Smith. I have essentially seen him start one game for the Red Raiders. And statistically speaking, the bowl win over Mississippi State wasn’t that great (53% completions, 252 yards, 1 TD). However, the athleticism he showed, the ability to make plays off-script, and the arm strength, were enough to grab my attention. There is no guarantee that Smith will even start for TTU in 2022. If he wins the job, I am all in watching his development.
*Writer’s note: Smith did not in fact win the starting job. Texas Tech will start Tyler Shough instead. My intrigue with Smith has not changed, however.*
Andre Carter, EDGE, Army
I have yet to watch Andre Carter play a down. It is rare for me to get excited about scouting a service academy player. They rarely get drafted at all…much less high. Andre Carter could be that exception. As you can see below, Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy is a big fan.
This rep wasn’t one of @ArmyWP_Football OLB Andre Carter’s (@andrecarter2) 14.5 sacks last year but it highlights raw tools that warrant preliminary Day 2 grades from @seniorbowl & NFL scouts. Hard to find guys 6’7” with feet like these.#BestoftheBest #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/HSnwW2RkW5
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) August 18, 2022
Cool rep here separates @ArmyWP_Football OLB Andre Carter II in a deep EDGE class. Most guys w/ @andrecarter2’s pass rush upside simply can’t drop. Checkout range & makeup ability here. Takes up space w/ length. Incredibly hard to throw over top of guy this long down the field. pic.twitter.com/uVyZgCPidv
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) August 18, 2022
Only offers Army’s Andre Carter II had coming out of HS were from FCS level, mainly Ivy League schools. How was @andrecarter2 a zero star prospect four years ago? That’ll be a fun storyline on draft weekend next April. Can’t coach stuff like this:#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/qiXRC9u44e
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) August 18, 2022
Isiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State
Another player I have yet to watch is Davis. I did watch a ton of his former backfield mate Pierre Strong last season. I know Shane P Hallam is a huge fan, so I am intrigued to if Davis can get to the level of Strong.