It’s a popular saying, “it doesn’t matter where you are picked or if you are picked, as long as you have a shot.” There is a plethora of small school players at all positions that are playing on NFL rosters. Arguably one of the most important positions in football is the offensive tackle position. Here is a list of 10 small school offensive tackles to keep your eye on throughout the draft process.
- Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State, 6’5” 298 lbs.
- Radunz is the OT at NDSU responsible for protecting highly touted QB prospect Trey Lance’s blind side. Radunz is a very athletic tackle, able to set the edge in the running game. Additionally, he is able to anchor edge rushers in the passing game. However, Radunz has struggled at times getting past the first level of defenders, up to linebackers in the running game. Overall, Radunz is a solid prospect who will most likely get drafted on day two of the draft. I would compare him to Ezra Cleveland from last year’s NFL draft, a very athletic offensive tackle who is an ideal fit in a zone running scheme.
- Spencer Brown, OT, UNI 6’9” 321 lbs
- Staying in the Missouri Valley Conference of the FCS, Brown is an OT from the University of Northern Iowa. He certainly looks the part with regards to his size. However, Brown is impressively agile for his size and position. Additionally, Brown is a very hard-working player, and he doesn’t show any quit in his play. Where Brown faces trouble, is in his anchor against bull rushers. One of the downsides of his size, is the ability to have edge rushers gain leverage in bull rush scenarios. I would compare Brown to Josh Jones from the 2020 NFL draft, an athletic freak, however, still very raw in terms of technique. I would look for him to be drafted late in day two or day three.
- Drew Himmelman, OT, Illinois State 6’10” 316 lbs
- Himmelman was not highly recruited coming out of high school. Coming to Illinois State, Himmelman was listed as a TE. However, you can’t teach size and with his size as he was able to transition to OT. Himmelman helped James Robinson rush for eye-popping numbers while at Illinois State. He also plays with a chip on his shoulder, most likely due to his lack of recruitment out of high school. He’s a hard worker with great hands when it comes to punching in the passing game. However, much like Spencer Brown, his height can be a disadvantage in the passing game with regards to leverage. I would compare Himmelman to Jared Veldheer. Look for him to get drafted most likely early on day three.
- Robert Jones, OT, Middle Tennessee 6’5” 330 lbs
- Jones is one of many prospects in this year’s draft that has position flexibility. I feel like he can develop into a promising swing tackle. However, Jones also has the ability to play guard as well. In all, I feel like Jones could play four different positions on the offensive line. Thus, making him a very valuable asset to have on the roster. Jones is a mauler in the running game, however, arguably more impressive, is the fact that during the 2019 season, Jones gave up a total of ZERO sacks. I would compare him to Cameron Erving. I’d expect to see him drafted in the mid-to-late rounds on day three.
- D’Ante Smith, OT, East Carolina, 6’4” 274 lbs.
- Smith is a very athletic prospect at offensive tackle. However, as you can see, at 274 pounds, he is a little light for the position. With at being said, Smith will most likely project to a guard in a heavy zone run scheme. Regardless of scheme, Smith will most likely have to put on 20 to 30 pounds before being seen as a true starter in the NFL. However, I feel as if his athletic ability will be enough for a coach and/or GM to view Smith as the perfect later round project offensive lineman. I’d expect Smith to go anywhere 5th round or later on day three.
- Larnel Coleman, OT, UMass, 6’6” 315 lbs.
- Coleman is a very intriguing prospect. He was recruited to play DL. However, he found himself on the other side of the ball. I think one could say that it worked out just fine for him! The big thing with Coleman is pad level. Standing at 6’6,” if Coleman doesn’t learn to play with a lower pad level, he won’t gain any sort of leverage going against top-tier NFL pass rushers. I’d expect Coleman to go day two or day three.
- Tommy Doyle, OT, Miami (OH), 6’8” 326 lbs.
- Doyle has shot up draft boards as of late. Similar to the way D’Ante Smith has shot up draft boards. Around this time of the draft process is when these smaller school prospects end up making leaps, mostly due to the fact that they are playing in “all-star” type scouting games against bigger school competition. Doyle has the size to play offensive tackle in the NFL.
- Donavaughn Campbell, OT, Louisiana Tech, 6’4” 345 lbs.
- Campbell is an LSU transfer. As we know, there has been a plethora of talent at all positions to come out of LSU over the years. With that being said, it’s clear to see the type of talent that Campbell has. Campbell is what you could call a “tweener,” meaning he can play OT, however, I wouldn’t be surprised if you see him kick into guard at the next level. With his size, don’t be surprised if he played in a power or gap heavy run scheme. I would expect Campbell to go day three.
- Ryan Van Demark, OT, UConn, 6’7” 302 lbs.
- Van Demark is an athletic offensive tackle out of UConn. I would expect him to play in a very heavy zone run scheme offense. I wouldn’t project him to start right away in the NFL. He has a lot of work to do with his pass sets. However, if you get him in a room with a solid offensive line coach and get him around some NFL Vets, then I think Van Demark could go from a project tackle, to a win back-up, or eventually even a starter.
- Khalique Washington, OT, Southern Miss., 6’5” 339 lbs.
- Washington is a very interesting prospect. He has really good size for the position. He is an absolute mauler in the run game. The biggest question mark is his pass protection, specifically against top-tier edge rushers. I would expect him to go late in the draft.
