2009 NFL Draft - Top 10 Division II Prospects
by Clint Clearwater
NFL Draft Analyst
4/6/09


In the NFL draft, people have a tendency to look at big name players who come from big name schools.  However, there are many great players that come from “no-name” schools.  In NCAA Division II football, you will find some of the most passionate players in the country.  They are players who may have been overlooked by bigger schools; however they are bent on proving that they can compete at an elite level.  Others have transferred from Division I programs.  Here is my list of the top ten NCAA Division II players:

1. Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian
Ht. 6’0, Wt. 185, 40 Time: 4.34
Knox caught 121 passes for 2,227 yards and 30 TDs in 2 years at Abilene Christian.  He uses his hands very well to catch the football.  He is able to adjust to the football when necessary.  Knox is very fast, and he is able to create separation from defenders.  He will be used as a deep threat.  Knox is a decent downfield blocker, and is able to return kicks.  Knox had an incredible 40 time at the Combine and that alone will get him noticed.  NFL teams will find that Knox can not only fly down the football field, but he can catch very well and has the potential to be a threat at receiver in the NFL.

2. Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman
Ht. 6’4, Wt. 329, 40 Time: 5.12
Hill had 20 solo tackles, 52 total tackles, 14 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT, 4 FF this past season and was 1st team All-SIAC.  He is a great bull rusher.  He can put pressure on the quarterback.  He has an absolutely huge frame.  NFL teams will love his size.  He has raw technique and will need to improve on this in the NFL.  He will also need to improve his strength, he only bench 225 lbs 27 times at the combine.  That’s not bad; however a lot of teams will look at him to be a nose tackle in the 3-4 system, which requires one to take on a lot of double teams and to be incredibly strong.

3. Jared Brock, OLB, West Texas A&M
Ht. 6’0, Wt. 232, 40 Time: 4.78
Brock was selected to the 2008 AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) All-America, as well as first team Associated Press Little All-America and Daktronics All-America honors. He had 83 total tackles, 43 solo, 14 TFL, 6.5 sacks, three pass breakups, 10 quarterback hurries, a pair of fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and one forced fumble in 2008.  Brock is a playmaker and was the leader of the West Texas A&M defense. 

4. Greg Toler, CB, St. Paul’s College
Ht. 5’11, Wt. 191, 40 Time: 4.45
Toler was selected to the 1st team All-CIAA Football Team for the third consecutive year.  He received a 2009 Cactus All-Star Bowl invite and a 2008 East Coast All-Star Bowl invite.  In the East Coast Bowl, Toler had 2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery, and 6 passes defended successfully.  He had 6 INTs on the year.  He has good cover skills; however he has a lot of raw talent that will need to be developed.  He only did 13 reps on the bench press, and had a 33.5 vertical at Richmond’s Pro Day.

5. Darius Davis, DE, Wayne St.
Ht. 6’1, Wt. 270, 40 Time: 4.90
Davis had 47 solo tackles, 9 TFL, 7 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries in 2008.  He was 1st team NSIC.  He has the ability to get to the quarterback and can be a good run stopper.  Davis can play both DE and DT.  He is a good bull rusher and can use swim and rip moves very well.  He rarely gives up on plays.  He can read plays extremely well, especially screen plays.  He needs to improve on fighting through double teams.  He is a very well rounded player. 

6. Roger Allen, G, Missouri Western
Ht. 6’3, Wt. 326, 40 Time: 5.25
He was selected to the 1st team All-MIAA the past 3 seasons.  Despite being invited to the NFL Combine, he did not attend because of a sports hernia.  Although he is coming off an injury he has previously started 48 consecutive games for the Griffons.  Allen attended Missouri’s Pro Day and was limited in position drills, but he benched 225 lbs 38 times.  He is extremely strong young man with a lot of potential at the offensive guard position.  He could improve his 40 time, however at the guard position 40 time is not the most important thing.  He uses his hand well in pass blocking, however he is a punishing run blocker.  He has great character traits.

7. Jared Bronson,  TE, Central Washington
Ht. 6’4, Wt. 253, 40 Time: 4.70
In 2008, Bronson had 28 receptions for 502 yards and 6 TDs.  In 2007, he had 35 receptions for 477 yards.  He was selected 1st team All North Central the past 2 seasons.  He had a 33 inch vertical and did 21 reps on the bench press.  He missed some time in 2008 with a separated shoulder.  He has pretty reliable hands and can jump to get the ball at highest point.  Bronson is pretty athletic for a guy his size.  He will need to improve on his blocking and route running.

8. Brandon Swain, DE, West Texas A&M
Ht. 6’3, Wt. 256, 40 Time: 4.67
In 2007, Swain had 71 total tackles, 24.5 TFL, 14 sacks, 1 INT, 3 fumble recoveries, 5 FF.  Lone Star Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2007.  He was selected to the 2007 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team.  Stats fell down in 2008; he had 28 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 8 TFL.  He attended Northeast Oklahoma A&M in Miami, Oklahoma in 2005 and 2006.  Swain is an outstanding pass rusher.  He can read plays very well too.  He needs to learn to fight through double teams.  

9. Darren Banks, CB, West Liberty St.
Ht. 5’9, Wt. 178, 40 Time: 4.52
In 2007. Banks had 41 solo tackles, 4 TFL, 13 INT, 1fumble recovery.  He finished the 2008 season with 46 solo tackles, 4 TFL and 7 INTs.  Banks was the 2008 WVIAC Player of the Year.  Had an amazing 35 career INTs.  He’s a transfer from Marshall.  He got a 2009 Cactus All-Star Bowl invite and a 2008 East Coast All-Star Bowl invite.  He was selected to the AP Little All-American First Team in 2008.  Banks obviously knows how to get to the football.  He possesses great ball skills can read the QB’s eyes quite well.  Although he is relatively short for a corner and he does not have great overall speed, NFL teams will not ignore his 35 career INTs. 

10. Robert Haynes, CB, Michigan Tech.
Ht. 5’9, Wt. 190, 40 Time: 4.38
Haynes is an extremely athletic football player.  He attended the Grand Valley St. and Michigan St. Pro Days where he did 26 reps on the bench press, 38 inch vertical, and ran a 4.38 in the 40.  He is a two sport athlete at Michigan Tech, where he ran track as well.  He doubles as a return man, and holds the record at Michigan Tech with most return yards (778).  He is very fast and displays great quickness.  He has good hands and can break tackles when he has the football.  He had an 80 yard INT return for a TD against Northern Michigan in 08.  He has a great attitude and determination. 


Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock Draft - 7 rounds
Cox's 2009 NFL Mock Draft - 4 rounds
MockDraftDatabase.com (our mock draft database)