[Editor's note: The following article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 NFL Draft Preview magazine. Order your copy today online, or buy it at retail stores and newsstands everywhere.]
Every year, there are those draft prospects who manage to catch the attention of NFL scouts despite hailing from smaller programs. Of course, once you get to the NFL, if you can line up and get the job done, it doesn't matter where you matriculated.
Though many of the prospects listed here may have ceilings as undrafted free agents and bit players, you never know when one guy will break through and exceed all expectations, despite his small-school status.
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Jordan McCloud, QB, Texas State
Last season for the Bobcats, McCloud completed 273-of-390 passes for 3,227 yards, 30 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a passer rating of 106.4. McCloud is undersized at 6-foot-0 and 200 pounds, but he has a quick release, he can go through progressions and he can get the ball downfield with velocity and timing. If he can be a bit more consistent, all the better.
Ben Wooldridge, QB, Louisiana
Wooldridge put it all together in 2024, completing 192-of-291 passes for 2,453 yards, 17 touchdowns, six interceptions and a passer rating of 101.4. As much as Wooldridge's finesse throws are impressive, his NFL team will want to work with him on more consistent velocity. If his throws got to the receiver a split second quicker, he could be even better.
Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
Nash made the full-time move to receiver in 2023, and he exploded onto the scene last season with 104 catches on 172 targets for 1,382 yards and 16 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Nash is at his best on go and seam routes where he can use foot-fakes at the line of scrimmage, smooth acceleration and ability to go up and make contested catches.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. represented the National team at the Senior Bowl. Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
In 2024, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Fannin caught 117 passes on 150 targets for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. Great numbers, but what makes Fannin a legitimate, highly prized NFL prospect is how he's able to get downfield and win from anywhere in the formation.
Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
Several NFL teams hoped Grant would enter the 2024 draft so he could be selected as a late-round pick or signed as a priority free agent, but Grant stayed with the Tribe for another season, and he should generate even more interest after a 2024 campaign in which he allowed two sacks, one quarterback hit and seven quarterback hurries in 372 pass-blocking reps.
Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State
In his five seasons with the Bison, the versatile Zabel has lined up at left tackle for 974 snaps, left guard for 453 snaps, center for 17 snaps, right guard for 222 snaps, right tackle for 1,064 snaps and inline tight end for 42 snaps. And in 1,137 career pass-blocking reps, he's allowed just four sacks, six quarterback hits and 19 quarterback hurries.
Addison West, IOL, Western Michigan
A tremendously versatile inside force for the Broncos over six seasons, West didn't allow a single sack or quarterback hit (just two quarterback hurries) in 367 pass-blocking snaps in 2024, and he's also a fierce force in the run game, with a penchant for pancake and cockroach blocks.
Tre Stewart, RB, Jacksonville State
Jacksonville State RB Tre Stewart Dave Hyatt - USA TODAY Sports Network
Stewart gained 1,638 rushing yards and scored 25 touchdowns on 278 carries in 2024. Stewart also forced 74 missed tackles and had 26 runs of 15 or more yards. At 5-foot-10 and 192 pounds, Stewart isn't the biggest back, but he can be a real problem for opposing defenses in gap and inside-zone runs with his patience, otherworldly lateral agility and second- and third-level burst. He also had 18 catches on 23 targets for 234 yards and a touchdown, so he's a do-it-all guy in the right offense.
Clay Webb, IOL, Jacksonville State
In three seasons at left guard with the Gamecocks, Webb allowed just three sacks, two quarterback hits and eight quarterback hurries in 929 pass-blocking reps. Webb is a bit undersized, but you can see the five-star potential when it's time to get nasty in the run game, and he will combo-block and bully defenders right off the screen. Perhaps a move to center is in Webb's NFL future.
Soane Toia, DL, San Jose State
Toia had an incredible 43 stops in 2024 as a run-stuffer and pass-rusher, and he racked up 4.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and 19 quarterback hurries. At 6-foot-1 and 278 pounds, Toia isn't the stoutest guy on the line, but he has the proven ability to get after the quarterback from every gap.
Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Green was the NCAA's most efficient sackmaster in the 2024 season, with 17 quarterback takedowns, and his 65 total pressures tied him with Penn State's Abdul Carter for second in college football. He had a sack and nine pressures against Ohio State, showcasing his impressive spin move.
Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo
Buffalo LB Shaun Dolac David Yeazell-Imagn Images
In 2024, Dolac had 6.5 sacks, two quarterback hits and 11 quarterback hurries. In coverage, he allowed 41 catches on 52 targets for 267 yards, 181 yards after the catch and one touchdown, with five interceptions, five pass breakups and an opponent passer rating of 54.9. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Dolac lined up everywhere from edge to off-ball linebacker to the slot. Watch out for this one.
Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA
Last season, Frazier allowed 18 catches on 39 targets for 248 yards, 52 yards after the catch and one touchdown, with six interceptions, nine pass breakups and an opponent passer rating of 36.0. Frazier has the backpedal speed and transition ability to match through any route, and he's also an outstanding route-jumper against short and intermediate passes.
Jordan Oladokun, CB, Bowling Green
In 2024, Oladokun allowed 26 catches on 61 targets for 219 yards, 128 yards after the catch and no touchdowns, with five interceptions, seven pass breakups and an opponent passer rating of 18.4 - which means opposing quarterbacks were better off throwing the ball into the stands than they were targeting him.
Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
A torn ACL in the third game of the 2024 season affected his draft stock. Still, a healthy Revel should be high on anybody's cornerback list. At 6-foot-3 and 193 pounds, Revel brings a young Richard Sherman to mind with his amazing ability to press and plaster receivers all the way through any route.
Jaden Voisin, S, South Alabama
In 2024, Voisin allowed 21 catches on 34 targets for 233 yards and one touchdown, with five interceptions, five pass breakups and an opponent passer rating of 52.3. Like most safety prospects these days, the 5-foot-10, 212-pound Voisin can get it done at several different positions - from the box to the slot to free safety.
Related: Athlon Sports 2025 NFL Draft Preview Magazine Now Available
Related: 2025 Draft Preview: NFL Comps for 16 of the Top Prospects on Athlon's Big Board
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This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM.