Small School Top 10

1. James Madison Dukes 5-1 (1)
JMU remains hot this season with a 56-0 thrashing of Hofstra this past weekend.

2. Appalachian St. Mountaineers 3-2 (2)
Armanti Edwards finally did what most expected and showed his ability to dominate with 305 yards of total offense as App State now appears to be coming together after a shaky start.

3. McNeese State Cowboys 3-1 (4)
Their thrilling triple-overtime win over South Dakota State tells us a little more about the Cowboys. They could be for real; a legit contender for the FCS title.

4. New Hampshire Wildcats 4-0 (6)
UNH comes off a bye week and is the only undefeated team in the top 10.

5. Villanova Wildcats 4-1 (7)
Villanova is coming off another solid win as they defeated W&M 38-28 and look to be ready to enter the national stage after a hot start.

6. Richmond Spiders 4-2 (8)
VMI was not much of a test as the Spiders won by 40 over the Sparky Woods-led Keydets.

7. Elon Phoenix 5-1 (9)
Many were skeptical of Elon heading into this past weekend, but the doubters were silenced by the Phoenix’ solid victory over nationally-ranked Furman.

8. Wofford Terriers 3-1 (NR)
Wofford, like UNH, had their bye week as well.

9. Montana Grizzlies 4-1 (3)
Their loss to Weber State was not shocking as most felt the Grizz were overrated, and it had been pointed out here before that they were holding onto their top 3 vote by a thread.

10. Cal-Poly Mustangs 3-1 (10)
Wide receiver Ramses Barden has cemented himself as one of the best receivers in the nation, regardless of division.

Out: Eastern Washington (5)

FCS Players of the Week

By JOSH BUCHANAN - SMALL SCHOOL INSIDER

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State
Edwards showed why many felt he was a frontrunner for the Payton Award with a monster day in the Mountaineers’ 47-21 victory over The Citadel. He was responsible for six touchdowns on the day with four through the air and two on the ground. He had 224 yards passing and 80 yards on the ground.

DEFENSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

LB Bobby Abare, Yale
Abare picked off two passes and returned one for a touchdown in Yale’s victory over Holy Cross. He also had 10 tackles, including nine solos, to show why he is a candidate for the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award. The two interceptions brought his career total to eight and his touchdown was the third in his career.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

K/P Robbie Dehaze, Northern Arizona
Dehaze was stellar in the Lumberjacks’ 42-10 thrashing of Sacramento State this past weekend with three field goals, four extra points, and a 51.2 yard average on four punts for 205 yards. Among his four punts was a 61-yard bomb and among his FGs was a 48-yarder.

Photo Credit: Keith Cline/ASU Athletics

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW PART IV

By Josh Buchanan - Small School Insider

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE OUTLOOK

Appalachian State aims for their fourth straight SoCon crown, but will have plenty of competition from Elon, The Citadel, and Wofford. Elon and The Citadel are expected to boast pass-happy offenses with strong-armed QBs, and both have plenty of receivers returning. Furman and Wofford both lost a lot of talent to graduation but are always in the hunt. Georgia Southern will break in a new QB, but the Eagles return solid DL and LB corps which will help take some pressure off of the offense. Chattanooga returns some quality players on both sides of the ball. The Mocs must win, and quickly, or coach Rodney Allison’s job could be in jeopardy. Western Carolina will be led by first year head coach Dennis Wagner who brings high hopes for Catamount faithful. The conference expands to nine teams this year with Samford jumping ship from the OVC. Expect them to take their lumps in their first year.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Appalachian State: Payton Award frontrunner QB Armanti Edwards, LB Pierre Banks headline the offense and defense respectively; losses include 2nd round pick WR Dexter Jackson, 6th round pick FS Corey Lynch, and 2-time All-American OG Kerry Brown.

2. Elon: Payton Watch duo QB Scott Riddle and WR Terrell Hudgins are back; All-SoCon LB Corey Weaver anchors the defense along with preseason All-SoCon DB tandem, Cameron McGlenn and Karlos Sullivan.

3. The Citadel: 1st year starter QB Bart Blanchard has returning WR Andre Roberts and most experience line in the SoCon to lean on; the defense is anchored by DL tandem Terrence Reese and Kevin McCaskill.

4. Wofford: The Terriers return a solid OL. They, and TE Fenn Allen, headline the offense; just 4 starters return on defense, including LB Seth Goldwire.

5. Georgia Southern: Payton Award winner QB Jayson Foster and much of the offensive line graduated; S Chris Covington and the LB corps lead the defense.

6. Furman: Just 5 starters back on offense, including All-American OT Joel Bell; even fewer starters return on defense--just 4, anchored by S Thomas Twitty.

7. Chattanooga: QB Antonio Miller graduated but the Mocs return a solid RB duo and good receiving corps; LB Joseph Thornton headlines just 3 returning starters on defense.

8. Western Carolina: Dennis Wagner takes over as head coach; defense boasts two All-SoCon performers in DT Jeff Bradley and LB Quinton Phillips.

9. Samford: The first year will likely be tough for the Bulldogs despite 15 starters returning; RB Chris Evans and LB Rodney Shepherd headline the ‘08 squad.

Tomorrow: Appalachian St. Up Close; Photo Credit: ASU Sports Information/Keith Cline

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW PART III

By Josh Buchanan

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.: The junior amassed 1,948 passing yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 1,588 yards and 21 more touchdowns last year. He did that missing 4 _ games and led the Mountaineers to their 3rd straight national title. Injuries left him off the All-SoCon team but his playoff performance earned him 2nd team All-America plaudits by The Sports Network and the distinction of the preseason #1 QB, also by The Sports Network. Phil Steele Magazine has Edwards as a preseason 1st team All-American, and the QB has been selected as the preseason SoCon Offensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches.

Others Considered: WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.; QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.; WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.: This selection could easily change by season’s end but nobody enters the season with the career consistency of Banks. He earned 1st team All-America honors by The Sports Network last year with 108 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 7 passes defended. Phil Steele Magazine also named him a preseason 1st team All-American while the SoCon coaches tabbed him the SoCon preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Others Considered: LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr.; LB Corey Weaver, Elon, Sr.; LB Joseph Thornton, Chattanooga, Jr.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR

OT Joel Bell, Furman, Sr.: Bell earned 1st team All-SoCon honors as a junior and 2nd team plaudits as a sophomore. The Sports Network also named him honorable mention All-America last year and Bell earned preseason 1st team All-SoCon honors from both the league’s coaches and Phil Steele Magazine. The magazine also named him a 1st team preseason All-American.

Others Considered: OT Derek Wooten, Wofford, Sr.; OG Mario Acitelli, Appalachian State, Jr.; OG/OT William Giles, UTC, Sr. OT Brad Coley, Appalachian State, Sr.

TOP NFL PROSPECT

OT Joel Bell, Furman: Bell’s mammoth size (6’7, 315) and good footwork make him a potential mid-round left tackle prospect. Consistency and technique are his main weaknesses but they can be improved with experience and coaching. Expect him to earn mid-round grades from most teams with a solid senior campaign.

Others Considered: OG William Giles, UTC; WR TJ Courman, Appalachian State, P Brandon Lane, Elon.

NATIONAL AWARD CANDIDATES

WALTER PAYTON AWARD CANDIDATES
QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.
QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.
WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.

BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD CANDIDATES
LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.
LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr.

Tomorrow: Team Predictions

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW PART II

PRESEASON PLAYER RANKINGS

By Josh Buchanan - Small School Insider


TOP 20 PLAYERS

1. QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State
2. WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon
3. LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State
4. WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel
5. OT Joel Bell, Furman
6. QB Scott Riddle, Elon
7. DT Anthony Williams, Appalachian State
8. LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford
9. OT Derek Wooten, Wofford
10. DT Justin Brown, Furman
11. TE Larry Hedden, Furman
12. LB Corey Weaver, Elon
13. S Chris Covington, Georgia Southern
14. LB Joseph Thornton, Chattanooga
15. LB DJ Smith, Appalachian State
16. OG/OT William Giles, Chattanooga
17. WR/RS CoCo Hillary, Appalachian State
18. LB Jacque Roman, Appalachian State
19. DE Larry Beard, Georgia Southern
20. TE Fenn Allen, Wofford

TOP 10 SENIOR NFL PROSPECTS

1. OT Joel Bell, Furman
2. OG/OT William Giles, Chattanooga
3. WR TJ Courman, Appalachian State
4. DE Brandon Drumgoole, Western Carolina
5. P Brandon Lane, Elon
6. CB William Middleton, Furman
7. DE Jeffrey Bradley, Western Carolina
8. LB/SS Pierre Banks, Appalachian State
9. TE Fenn Allen, Wofford
10. OT Derek Wooten, Wofford

Tomorrow: Award Winners

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW PART I

PRESEASON ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

By Josh Buchanan - Small School Insider


FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.
WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.
TE Larry Hedden, Furman, Jr.
OT Joel Bell, Furman, Sr.
OT Derek Wooten, Wofford, Sr.
OG Mario Acitelli, Appalachian State, Jr.
OG William Giles, Chattanooga, Sr.
C Kevin Wiggins, Western Carolina, Sr.
QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.
RB Devon Moore, Appalachian State, Jr.
RB Mike Brown, Furman, Soph.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Terrence Reese, The Citadel, Jr.
DL Anthony Williams, Appalachian State, Jr.
DL Justin Brown, Furman, Jr.
DL Larry Beard, Georgia Southern, Sr.
LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.
LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr.
LB Corey Weaver, Elon, Sr.
DB Chris Covington, Georgia Southern, Sr.
DB Thomas Twitty, Furman, Sr.
DB Leonard Love, Appalachian State, Sr.
DB Carson Hill, Georgia Southern, Jr.

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Jesse Hartley, Georgia Southern, Sr.
P Brandon Lane, Elon, Sr.
RS Sean Lees, Wofford, Soph.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
WR Bo Williamson, Elon, Sr.
WR CoCo Hillary, Appalachian State, Soph.
TE Fenn Allen, Wofford, Sr.
OT Brad Coley, Appalachian State, Sr.
OT Ben Quick, Wofford, Sr.
OG Tyler Haynes, Furman, Jr.
OG Ben Miller, Wofford, Sr.
C Clay Muirhead, The Citadel, Sr.
QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.
RB Dane Romero, Wofford, Sr.
RB Bryan Fitzgerald, Chattanooga, Sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL Tony Robertson, Appalachian State, Jr.
DL Damon Suggs, Georgia Southern, Sr.
DL Layton Baker, Wofford, Sr.
DL Jeff Bradley, Western Carolina, Sr.
LB Quintin Phillips, Western Carolina, Jr.
LB Joseph Thornton, Chattanooga, Jr.
LB D.J. Smith, Appalachian State, Soph.
DB William Middleton, Furman, Sr.
DB Cameron McGlenn, Elon, Jr.
DB Cortez Gilbert, Appalachian State, Jr.
DB Ryan Jones, The Citadel, Jr.

SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Patrick Mugan, Wofford, Sr.
P Mark Kaspar, The Citadel, Sr.
RS CoCo Hillary, Appalachian State, Soph.

HONORABLE MENTION
RB Chris Evans, Samford, Soph.
WR Blue Cooper, Chattanooga, Jr.
WR TJ Courman, Appalachian State, Sr.
WR R.J. Webb, Furman, Jr.
WR Marquel Pittman, Western Carolina, Soph.
TE Taylor Cornett, The Citadel, Sr.
OT Thomas Slaughter, Furman, Sr.
OT Daniel DeHaven, The Citadel, Jr.
OT Mitchell Waters, Samford, Sr.
OT Chris Werden, Elon, Sr.
DE Kevin McCaskill, The Citadel, Sr.
DT Malcolm Bennett, Appalachian State, Jr.
DT Neil Brown, Chattanooga, Sr.
LB Jacque Roman, Appalachian State, Jr.
LB Rodney Shepherd, Samford, Sr.
CB Raeshon Ball, Chattanooga, Sr.
CB Karlos Sullivan, Elon, Jr.
K Andrew Wilcox, Elon, Sr.
P Chris Tommie, Wofford, Sr.
RS Mike Brown, Furman, Soph.

D3 Preseason All-America Team

By Josh Buchanan - Small School Insider

1ST TEAM OFFENSE
WR Jack Phelan, Hartwick, Sr.
WR Royce Winford, Augsburg, Sr.
TE Jon Lanouette, Wesley, Sr.
OL Cuyler Groth, Brockport State, Sr.
OL Dave Erdman, Wesley, Sr.
OL Matt Houy, Washington & Jefferson, Sr.
OL Corey Drake, Carroll College, Sr.
OL Mike Nolan, Muhlenberg, Sr.
QB Greg Micheli, Mount Union, Sr.
RB Nate Kmic, Mount Union, Sr.
RB Robert Heller, Waynesburg, Soph.

1ST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Jarrell Chandler, Salisbury, Sr.
DL Nick Gunderson, St. John’s, Sr.
DL Ken Bevington, John Carroll, Sr.
DL LeeRon Boykin, North Carolina Wesleyan, Jr.
LB Desmond Hendricks, Rhodes College, Sr.
LB Anthony Ostland, Occidental, Sr.
LB Adam Hay, Centre, Sr.
LB Courtney Pearson, Tri-State, Sr.
DB Pete Ittersagen, Wheaton, Sr.
DB Derrick Williams, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Sr.
DB Matt Christ, Albright, Sr.
DB Michael Terranova, Olivet, Sr.

1ST TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Jeff Schebler, UW-Whitewater, Jr.
P Alex Groh, Occidental, Jr.
RS Larry Beavers, Wesley, Sr.

SMALL SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT: VOL XVIII

Over the next few weeks I will highlight some small school players to watch for next season that scouts have already taken notice of. In each installment I will highlight some names who will be on the NFL radar this coming season.

ILB LEE ROBINSON, ALCORN STATE, 6021, 246, 4.65E
Robinson somehow went unnoticed by the SWAC coaches and didn’t earn All-SWAC honors after piling up 82 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He can run, hit, and appears to be in better shape this year. The coaches are moving him from OLB to ILB and letting him roam sideline to sideline more. He does need to play with more pad level due to being so big but if he can polish his technique he has the potential to move up boards. He is rated as a late rounder by many NFL insiders at this point.

WR QUINTEN LAWRENCE, MCNEESE STATE, 5115, 179, 4.35
Looking for this year’s version of Dexter Jackson? This could be the one. Lawrence is bigger and slightly faster than Dexter and he brings more versatility. He will play all three ways this year as the coaching staff is expected to try him out at CB. He had 31 catches for 645 yards and 6 touchdowns last year to earn Second team All-Southland honors due to his speed and versatility. He could rise up draft boards like teammate Bryan Smith did last year and top out in the 2nd-4th round range but is considered a 5th-6th round value heading into the season.

K JARED KEATING, MESA STATE, 5094, 192, 4.85E
Keating finished last year as a First team All-American and RMAC Special Teams POY after hitting 22 of 33 FGs and a long of 53 yards. Most of his missed kicks are blocks due to poor protection but he is money from the 44 and in and has the leg strength to hit past 50. He has hit from 60 in practice before as well. He is a great kid and hard worker. He has the potential to earn a late round grade and is the top small school kicker heading into the season.

OG DAKARAI GRIMSLEY, MORGAN STATE, 6040, 363, 5.70
Grimsley has started the last two years at LT but is moving to LG in ’08. he brings good size and strength for the guard spot and is more suited for the position. He is a good run blocker and tough kid. He is overweight and needs to get down in the 340-350 range. He has natural strength and some feel that when the light bulb turns on he will surely make leaps up the draft board. He is a 6th-7th rounder at this point who will either move quickly up the board or fall down purely on how hard he works, according to insiders in the NFL.

JOSH BUCHANAN 2009 NFL DRAFT SMALL SCHHOL WATCH

TE BRIAN MANDEVILLE, NORTHEASTERN, 6060, 248, 4.78
Mandeville is a former DE who had two tackles as a freshman in 2004 and then redshirted in ’05. He then moved to TE for his sophomore season and showed promise despite missing 2 games with an injury. His breakout season came last year with 30 catches, 411 yards, and five touchdowns to earn Second team All-CAA honors. His size, frame, and potential have scouts drooling. He enters the season with mid round grades from scouts but has 2nd-3rd round potential with a good year.

WR JULIUS PRUITT, OUACHITA BAPTIST, 6014, 225, 4.57
Pruitt displays great athletic ability, size, and huge hands that NFL scouts are looking for. He has developed a better work habit over his career and improved as a junior with 52 catches for 736 yards, and seven touchdowns to earn 2nd team All-GSC honors. He has the potential to run in the 4.4 range after training and possesses great leg strength with a 600 pound squat. His character is great and he is very smart as well. He is considered a potential mid to late round pick by many scouts due to his physical tools and upside.

C CECIL NEWTON, TENNESSEE STATE, 6014, 292, 5.15E
Newton is fairly athletic and shows good quickness. He also has a great work ethic and athletic bloodlines. He also brings the ability to long snap and started the last two seasons. Scouts like his game more than most realize as they have given him late round draft grades.

DT JOHN FALETOESE, UC DAVIS, 6014, 295, 5.05E
His production and accolades are among the most impressive of any linemen in this year’s small school crop as a three-time 1st team All-Great West selection who has 10 career sacks from inside. He missed a few games with a high ankle sprain in ’07 but has starting potential. He is very quick and tough to block inside. He also shows good instincts but will need to stay healthy. Faletoese enters the season with late round grades but has the potential to move into the 4th round area with a good season.