2008 Draft Preview

This year's class lost not only the top prospect but one of the top characters you will ever meet in Newberry's Heath Benedict.

Benedict passed away in his Jacksonville home of what was described as an enlarged heart. "His heart just gave out on him" said his agent CJ Laboy. Before previewing this year's group it would be wrong to go without mentioning Heath Benedict. I got to meet him several times and became friends with him somehow. It is hard to not care about him as a person and look past the helmet. He was such a friendly person and cared about people.

Now on to the 2008 NFL Draft class, a group that has the potential to be the best in recent memory.

Before previewing the group here is a breakdown, by the numbers, of the last five Division II draft classes.

There have been 22 Division II players drafted over the last 5 years, including no first round picks, two second round picks, and just 5 of the 22 have gone in the first three rounds.

2007
5 total
1st round- 0
2nd round- 0
3rd round- 1
4th round- 1
5th round- 2
6th round- 1
7th round- 0

2006
4 total
1st round- 0
2nd round- 1
3rd round- 1
4th round- 0
5th round- 1
6th round- 1
7th round- 1

2005
4 total
1st round- 0
2nd round- 0
3rd round- 0
4th round- 1
5th round- 0
6th round- 0
7th round- 3

2004
3 total
1st round- 0
2nd round- 0
3rd round- 0
4th round- 1
5th round- 1
6th round- 1
7th round- 0

2003
6 total
1st round- 0
2nd round- 1
3rd round- 1
4th round- 0
5th round- 0
6th round- 2
7th round- 2

The 2008 draft class should see no less than 4 players drafted and as many as 9-10 could come off the board.

I will examine the possible draft range for all of the pro hopefuls as everyone on the list has at least a 1 percent chance of getting drafted, according to my insiders.

DE/OLB Curtis Johnson, Clark Atlanta - NFL teams will have to decide if they want a situational pass rusher or a project at linebacker. Either way, someone is going to take a shot at Johnson in the mid rounds and get a potential steal.
Best case- 5th round
Worst case- 7th round

RB Xavier Omon, Northwest Missouri - Omon's lack of breakaway speed is the only reason he is not a top 100 pick on most boards. He is the best running back I have scouted since doing the pro hopefuls.
Best case- 4th round
Worst case- 7th round

OG Mackenzy Bernadeau, Bentley - Bernadeau missed most of his senior year with an injury but is now healthy and merits legit draft consideration. He played tackle most of his career but projects to guard in the NFL.
Best case- 5th round
Worst case- PFA

ILB Shane Simmons, Western Washington - Simmons can play inside, outside, and contribute on special teams. He could become a very versatile steal for someone on day two.
Best case- 5th round
Worst case- PFA

CB Brandon Carr, Grand Valley - Carr's athleticism was displayed at his pro day after a great career at Grand Valley. Some teams are considering a move to FS but many have him at CB due to his ability to physically match up with bigger receivers.
Best case- 5th round
Worst case- PFA

QB Brad Roach, Catawba - Roach is drawing Joe Flacco comparisons from some scouts due to almost identical size and arm strength. Both also ran similar 40-yard dash times.
Best case- 5th round
Worst case- PFA

CB Cary Williams, Washburn - Williams impressed at the Cactus Bowl and displays great athletic ability. Coaches and scouts fell in love with his workouts.
Best case- 6th round
Worst case- PFA

OT/OG BEN Ben Hochstein, Nebraska-Omaha - His bloodlines and consistency could push him into the late rounds. Hochstein will likely move to guard in the NFL.
Best case- 7th round
Worst case- PFA

DE Alex Hall, St. Augustine's - Hall reminds some of last year's Greg Peterson but is not quite as fast. He was impressive in the Cactus Bowl showing his explosiveness.
Best case- 6th round
Worst case- PFA

OG Brandon Barnes, Grand Valley - Barns has better than expected speed and is a solid pass blocker. His lack of height will move him inside to the guard position from his college position of tackle. He has a shot to go late in the draft.
Best case- 7th
Worst case- PFA

QB Mark Nicolet, Hillsdale - His improvement over the last three years and high intelligence has attracted the attention of several teams. He probably won't get drafted but has a chance to make a practice squad.
Best case- 7th round
Worst case- PFA

SS Michael Eubanks, Delta State - Eubanks is an undersized but highly explosive linebacker who projects to safety. Someone might take him in the 6th or 7th round after putting up insane numbers at the Cactus Bowl.
Best case- 6th round
Worst case- PFA

OTHERS (7th round possibilities)
DT Kurt Hout, Ferris State
WR Ed Williams, Lane
CB Brian Witherspoon, Stillman
ILB Steve Allen, West Texas A&M
TE Kolo Kapanui, West Texas A&M
RB Danny Woodhead, Chadron State
QB Kyle Spotts, Kutztown
WR/QB Daniel Polk, Midwestern State
DT Victor Filipe, Western Oregon

Rank Pos. First Name Last Name School Ht Wt 40 Time Rd. Proj.
1 OLB Curtis Johnson Clark Atlanta 6025 237 4.60/4.65 5th-6th
2 RB Xavier Omon Northwest Missouri State 5107 230 4.60/4.62 6th
3 OG Mackenzy Bernadeau Bentley 6041 306 5.25/5.29 6th-7th
4 ILB Shane Simmons Western Washington 6012 236 4.58/4.63 6th-7th
5 CB Brandon Carr Grand Valley State 6010 207 4.38/4.42 6th-7th
6 QB Brad Roach Catawba NC 6056 248 4.77/4.87 6th-7th
7 CB Cary Williams Washburn 6010 187 4.43/4.46 7th
8 OT Ben Hochstein Nebraska-Omaha 6033 289 5.18/5.43 7th-PFA
9 DE Alex Hall St. Augustine College 6051 238 4.65/4.79 7th-PFA
10 OG Brandon Barnes Grand Valley State 6016 326 4.99/5.18 PFA
11 QB Mark Nicolet Hillsdale 6010 217 4.82/4.84 PFA
12 SS Michael Eubanks Delta State 5112 193 4.53/4.58 PFA
13 TE Kolomona Kapanui West Texas A&M 6033 271 5.06/5.10 PFA
14 FB Mike Peterson Northwest Missouri State 6020 251 4.59/4.64 PFA
15 ILB Steve Allen West Texas A&M 6004 236 4.71/4.75 PFA
16 WR Edward Williams Lane College TN 6035 206 4.52/4.65 PFA
17 DT Kurt Hout Ferris State 6011 285 4.77/4.96 PFA
18 RB Danny Woodhead Chadron State 5074 197 4.38/4.40 PFA
19 RB Jamar Brittingham Bloomsburg 6004 210 4.61/4.64 PFA
20 CB Brian Witherspoon Stillman 5103 175 4.29/4.33 PFA
21 WR Daniel Polk Midwestern State 6010 203 4.58/4.62 PFA
22 WR James Banks Carson-Newman TN 6014 202 4.58/4.60 PFA
23 FS Jermaine Moye California PA 6014 210 4.67/4.74 PFA
24 DE Jacob Owens Fairmont State 6047 262 4.83/4.95 PFA
25 OT Kurt Kutscher Henderson State 6052 325 5.33/5.37 PFA
26 QB Kyle Spotts Kutztown 6025 201 4.76/4.90 PFA
27 OLB Chris Hemphill Central Washington 6041 229 4.58/4.65 PFA/FA
28 WR Weston Dressler North Dakota 5065 160 4.44/4.46 PFA/FA
29 DT Tywain Myles Tarleton State 6015 310 4.80/4.85 PFA/FA
30 TE Chris Conklin Wingate 6040 246 4.55/4.65 PFA/FA
31 DE Kyle Clement Northwood 6036 316 5.19/5.21 PFA/FA
32 OT Mike Butterworth Slippery Rock 6067 334 5.48/5.83 PFA/FA
33 DT Victor Filipe Western Oregon 6020 298 4.95/5.08 PFA/FA
34 DE Brandon Jones Newberry 6046 294 4.95/5.02 PFA/FA
35 OLB Christian Serena Western New Mexico 6001 235 4.62/4.73 PFA/FA
36 FS Brad Mueller Slippery Rock 5106 175 4.24/4.29 PFA/FA
37 OLB Will Clewis Central Oklahoma 6003 220 4.56/4.65 PFA/FA
38 DT Anthony Toribio Carson-Newman TN 6020 305 5.06/5.16 PFA/FA
39 DE Kenwin Cummings Wingate 6017 270 4.75/4.77 PFA/FA
40 FS Patrick Wells Ferris State 5111 195 4.45/4.58 FA
41 RB Alley Broussard Missouri Southern State 6000 235 4.72/4.75 FA
42 OG Pat Schwenke West Texas A&M 6043 317 5.18/5.38 FA
43 CB De'Audra Dix Johnson C. Smith 5093 173 4.42/4.56 fA
44 CB Donovan Alexander North Dakota 5112 176 4.40/4.53 FA
45 C Christian Morton South Dakota 6042 292 5.15/5.34 FA
46 C Tim McCutcheon California PA 6033 300 5.34/5.47 FA
47 WR Dwayne Croker Upper Iowa 5081 183 4.54/4.66 FA
48 WR Tommy Ellingworth Augustana (SD) 5101 186 4.37/4.42 FA
49 P Eric Schwan Northern State (SD) 6015 201 4.92/5.12 FA
50 OG Bill Bourdlais Ferris State 6023 292 5.06/5.26 FA
51 DT Keith McCleary Mary University (ND) 6001 307 5.17/5.34 FA
52 WR Ashton Gronewald Missouri-Rolla 5096 187 4.43/4.54 FA
53 RB Derrick Moss Central State OH 5096 216 4.60/4.68 FA
54 RB Osagie Osunde West Chester 5094 208 4.50/4.58 FA
55 WR Brandon Horn Grand Valley State 6005 211 4.51/4.55 FA
56 CB Terrell Walden Lane College TN 5096 160 4.28/4.32 FA
57 CB Shawn Cunningham Winona State 5106 195 4.52/4.67 FA
58 QB Ben King Minnesota-State Mankato 6004 210 4.72 FA
59 OG John Keaveny Bemidji State 6020 310 FA
60 DE Ryan Conwell Western Washington 6055 226 4.73/4.95 FA
61 OT Floyd Headen West Texas A&M 6047 325 5.16/5.38 FA
62 WR Nate Forse California PA 6036 222 4.50/4.65 FA
63 ILB Anthony Adams Grand Valley State 6021 234 4.67/4.89 FA/Marginal
64 CB Denatay Heard Stillman 5090 172 4.35/4.49 FA/Marginal
65 DE Dallas Flynn Northwest Missouri State 6046 280 4.82/4.96 FA/Marginal
66 P Randy Allen Albany State 6001 236 5.12/5.40 FA/Marginal
67 OG Dan Marshall Northwood 6017 295 5.16/5.35 FA/Marginal
68 ILB Matt Robertson Northwest Missouri State 6003 239 4.83/4.86 FA/Marginal
69 OT Tim Schneider South Dakota 6064 290 5.18/5.32 FA/Marginal
70 WR Almonzo Banks West Liberty State 6020 215 FA/Marginal
71 RB Amos Allen South Dakota 5076 185 4.37/4.54 FA/Marginal
72 CB Roderick Mosley Texas A&M-Kingsville 5097 175 4.46/4.63 FA/Marginal
73 CB Octavious Love Tusculum 5093 199 4.55/4.69 FA/Marginal
74 OG Nathan Young Abilene Christian 6016 293 5.36/5.63 FA/Marginal
75 FB Kyle Witucki Edinboro 6025 244 4.59 FA/Marginal
76 OG Joe Wohlscheid Grand Valley State 6057 309 5.12/5.28 FA/Marginal
77 C Rory Thomas Indiana PA 6032 302 5.29/5.48 FA/Marginal
78 OLB Lateef Ferguson West Chester 6010 220 4.65/4.79 FA/Marginal

It is possible this will be my last year doing the pro hopefuls as some NFL teams and I have been in talks about future employment that would begin for the 2009 NFL Draft cycle. If I am not in the NFL I plan to be back and scouting for John Murphy of the Texas vs. Nation Game and East-Shrine Game, profiling D2 players for D2football.com, and return to NFL Draft Bible as their Director of Small College Scouting.

For coaches and sports information directors with nominations for NFL consideration for the 2009 and 2010 NFL Draft please email me at joshb@comporium.net. Only information from school officials and NFL scouts will be noted as "official" and any other input will be cross checked. Thanks!

Special thanks for reading the pro hopefuls updates on D2football.com, Facebook, D2 Message Board, NFLDraftBible, KFFL, New Era Scouting, Draft Daddy, and any other website who published my work.