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NFL Draft: 5 Small School Prospects to Watch

By Ryan Phillips

Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad running back David Johnson of Northern Iowa (7) carries the ball past South squad inside linebacker Stephone Anthony of Clemson (42) during South squad Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad running back David Johnson of Northern Iowa (7) carries the ball past South squad inside linebacker Stephone Anthony of Clemson (42) during South squad Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; West defensive lineman Kyle Emanuel (53), of North Dakota State, rushes during the second half at the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field. The East beat the West 19-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; West defensive lineman Kyle Emanuel (53), of North Dakota State, rushes during the second half at the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field. The East beat the West 19-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Emanuel, OLB, North Dakota State

When you dominate for a program as successful as North Dakota State, you’re bound to get a few looks from NFL scouts, regardless of what level you play at. Emanuel got into 61 games and made 49 starts over his four years with the Bison, and the team went 58-3 while winning four national titles during his time. The guy is a winner and was the team’s captain during the 2014 season.

Emanuel is a 6-foot-3, 255-pound outside linebacker/edge rusher who doesn’t have a ton of speed, but is instinctive and makes things happen all over the field. He also plays his best football in big games, as he racked up 16.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in eight games against top 25 opponents.

At the combine he ran a slow 4.77-second 40-yard dash, but threw up 27 bench press reps and had a 34-inch vertical jump. He’s athletic, but doesn’t have the straight-line speed you want out of an edge rusher. That said, he uses his lower body well and is able to turn corners because of excellent body control. With some refined technique he could make up for a lack of speed, since he certainly has the strength to set the edge against the run.

The bottom line is that Emanuel is one of the more accomplished college football players to come into the NFL in years. He doesn’t know how to lose and that attitude will rub off on teammates. He may not be the perfect, uber-athletic edge rusher most teams covet, but his high-character and work-ethic should turn him into a solid NFL player.

He should be a late second- or early third-day pick.

Next: David Johnson

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