April 23, 2006

By Dawn Harmon and Jeda Hays, NAIA Sports Information

As a handful of NAIA players await the National Football League (NFL) Draft on April 29, defensive lineman Dexter Ross of Minot State University (N.D.) already has his assignment.

Ross was chosen in the sixth round of the Canadian Football League Draft this weekend.  Selected as the 49th overall pick, Ross will join the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  A defensive starter for Minot State Ross earned second-team All-American honors his senior year.  He was honorably mentioned for the award in 2004.

Winnipeg will open preseason on June 2 against Montreal and the first regular-season game is slated for June 16. 

Others around the NAIA hope to catch on with an NFL team as a late-round draft or as a free agent after the draft.  There will be 255 selections, including 32 compensatory choices that have been awarded to 19 teams which suffered a net loss of certain quality unrestricted free agents last year.

Carroll College's (Mont.) Tyler Emmert may be the NAIA's most prolific player, but size and arm strength may keep him out of the big leagues.  In leading the Saints to four consecutive national titles, Emmert has hit 70.4 percent of his collegiate passes (1,037-for-1,473).  He fell just two completions short of tying the all-division collegiate mark of 139 held by Marcus Brady (Cal State-Northridge in NCAA Division 1-AA).  He also set an NAIA-record 13,979 yards total offense.

In my mind, he makes the plays just like somebody like Joe Montana," Carroll head coach Mike Van Diest said. "In college, you look for a guy that produces wins and numbers, and Tyler certainly does that. For the right team and the right offense, I think Tyler would be a perfect fit in the NFL."

Although already settled into an 8-5 job just weeks after winning national player of the year honors, Emmert hasn't ruled out a professional career in football.

"If somebody gave me a shot, I'd definitely jump at it, but I'm not sure what will happen,'' said Emmert, a 6-2, 204-pounder whose body doesn't scream the word prospect.

Pikeville College's (Ky.) Antwan Marsh may have the best shot of getting drafted.  One draft board has him rated as the 29th free safety in the lot.  His speed and quickness in the Pro Day workouts increases his stock around the league.

NAIA schools have produced such players as Walter Payton, Don Beebe, Carl Birdsong, Willie Davis, Christian Okoye, Mark Gastineau, Darrell Green, Deacon Jones, Jack Kemp, Dave Krieg, Willie McGee, Art Shell, and Gene Upshaw.  View the complete list of NAIA players in the pros.

NAIA players currently playing the NFL:
Marc Boerigter, Hastings College (Neb.), WR, Green Bay Packers
Patrick Crayton, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Casey FitzSimmons, Carroll College (Mont.), TE, Detroit Lions
Chris Horn, Rocky Mountain College (Mont.), WR, New Orleans Saints
Jon Kitna, Central Washington University, QB, Detroit Lions
Andy Stokes, William Penn University (Iowa), TE, Arizona Cardinals
Derrick Ward, Ottawa University (Kan.), RB, New York Giants

 

2006 NFL Draft Prospects (listed in alphabetical order)

Zac Alcorn, TE, Black Hills State University (S.D.)

College Number: 84; Height: 6-3; Weight: 245

HONORS:

2005 1^st team All-American.....1^st team All-Dakota Athletic Conference

QUICK LOOK:

Ranked No.30 in the nation in Receive Yards per Game (68.900)..... Ranked No.49 in the nation in Receptions per Game (4.300)..... For the year he had 689 total receiving yards, 43 receptions with seven touchdowns. He averaged 16 yards per catch and 68.9 yards per game.....Has a 40-time of 4.66....He's quick and able to maneuver around his opponents

 

Chris Bramell, QB, University of St. Francis (Ind.)

College Number: 4; Height 6-4; Weight 239

HONORS:

2004 and 2005 Honorable Mention All-American....2005 Conference Player of the Year.

QUICK LOOK:

Only NAIA QB to rush for more than 600 yards...and pass for more than 2,000 yards in 2004.... Tenacity of a pit bull protecting a bone.... Size and strength scream the word ``prospect''....Athleticism and size makes him a threat whether he's throw the ball or running with it.

PRO DAY RESULTS:

Dates:  3/10/06 Height: 604 Weight: 239 40 Yrd Dash:  20 Yrd Dash:  10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps: NA Vertical Jump: 31 Broad Jump: 9'4" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.524 3-Cone Drill: 7.076

 

 

Adam Cotton, DB, Montana Tech of the University of Montana

College Number: 35; Height: 6-1; Weight: 212

Rated #40 out of 80 SS's

HONORS:

2005 2^nd team All-American....2005 Frontier Conference Defensive Back of the Year

QUICK LOOK:

Versatile player with a good thick frame....Quick speed with 40 Time of 4.78.....Ranked No.21 in the nation in Interceptions per Game (0.500)..... Ranked No.43 in the nation in Passes Defended per Game (1.100)

PRO DAY RESULTS:

Dates:  3/26/06 Height: 6006 Weight: 205 40 Yrd Dash: 4.82 20 Yrd Dash:  10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps: NA Vertical Jump: 35 Broad Jump: 9'6" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.34 3-Cone Drill: 7.96

 

De De Dorsey, RB, Lindenwood University (Mo.)

College Number:1;Height: 5-10; Weight: 197

Rated #53 out of 170 CB's

HONORS:

2003 2^nd team All-American....2004 and 2005 1^st team All-American....First Team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference.....first player from Lindenwood to earn AFCA Coaches' All-America Team honors.

QUICK LOOK:

40 Time: 4.45....Ranked No.5 in the nation in Rushing Yards per Game (145.500).... Ranked No.6 in the nation in Scoring (TDs) per Game (9.800)..... Ranked No.6 in the nation in Scoring per Game (9.800)..... Ranked No.6 in the nation in All Purpose per Game (168.500)

PRO DAY RESULTS:

Dates: 03/16/06 Height: 5104 Weight: 194 40 Yrd Dash: 4.44 20 Yrd Dash:  10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 16 Vertical Jump: 34 Broad Jump:  20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.91 3-Cone Drill: 6.88

Tucker Edmundson, LB, Montana Tech of the University of Montana

College Number: 36; Height: 6-0; Weight: 242

HONORS:

2003 and 2005 Honorable Mention All-American

QUICK LOOK:

40 Time: 4.76

 

 

 

Tyler Emmert, QB, Carroll College (Mont.)

College Number: 16; Height: 6-2; Weight: 204

HONORS:

2003, 2004, 2005 1^st team All-American.....2003 and 2005 Rawlings-NAIA Player of the Year... Associated Press Little All-America Team

QUICK LOOK:

Natural-born leader on the field.....Ultimate competitor.....Good strong arm.....Averaged 244.7 yards per game this season.....Smart player.....Knack for turning broken plays into big plays...Ranked No.2 in the nation in Pass Efficiency (162.800)..... Ranked No.8 in the nation in Passing Yards per Game (236.900)..... Ranked No.8 in the nation in Total Offense Yards per Game (250.200)...Broke NAIA record for career passing completions (1,037-for-1,473)...Set NAIA record for total offense (13,979 yards)....Three-time NAIA National Championship Outstanding Player of the Game...51 wins and 3 losses as starter.

 

 

Craig Fobbe, QB, Morningside College (Iowa)

College Number: 18; Height: 6-0; Weight 227

HONORS:

2005 Second Team All-American....2004 Honorable Mention All-American

QUICK LOOK:

Set NAIA record for Most Yards Gained in a season with 4,885...Three-year starter is the most prolific passer in Morningside history.

PRO DAY RESULTS:

Dates: 03/9/06 Height: 600 Weight: 227 40 Yrd Dash: 5.15 20 Yrd Dash:  10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 14 Vertical Jump: 294 Broad Jump: 8'6" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.74 3-Cone Drill: 7.91

Mark Hemje, LB, Hastings College (Neb.)

College Number: 50; Height: 6-1; Weight: 240

HONORS:

First team All-Conference in 2004, 2005

QUICK LOOK:

Ranked No.10 in Division I in Tackles (All positions) per Game (11.500)

 

 

Stephen Holte, LB, Azusa Pacific University (Calif.)

College Number: 23; Height: 6-1; Weight: 225

Rated #81 out of 147 OLB's 

HONORS:

A first team NAIA All-American linebacker in 2004 and 2005

QUICK LOOK:

One of the top defenders in the NAIA, All-American senior.....Has never missed a game and has started 33 consecutive contests...Quite strong and very smart about the game ... Starts in the middle..... Ranked No.2 in the nation in Tackles (All positions) per Game (13.600)..... Ranked No.29 in the nation in Sacks per Game (0.600)... Holte is the type of type athlete NFL teams must consider, either as a latter round draft pick, or a as priority free agent.

PRO DAY RESULTS:

Dates: 03/29/06 Height: 601 Weight: 225 40 Yrd Dash: 4.87 20 Yrd Dash:  10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 25 Vertical Jump: 32 Broad Jump: 8'8" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.57 3-Cone Drill: 7.07

 

Deontrae Johnson, WR, Morningside College (Iowa)

College Number: 15; Height 6-1; weight: 193

HONORS:

Second Team All-American in 2005

QUICK LOOK:

Transfer from the University of South Dakota... 2005 NAIA national leader with average of 146.9 pass reception yards per game.... Caught 81 passes for school-record totals of 1,910 yards and 21 touchdowns for average of 23.6 yards per catch....Also set Morningside single-season records with 22 touchdowns and 132 points scored.

PRO DAY RESULTS:

Dates: 03/9/06 Height: 601 Weight: 193 40 Yrd Dash: 4.68 20 Yrd Dash:  10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 25 Vertical Jump: 292 Broad Jump: 9'2" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.36 3-Cone Drill: 7.29

 

 

Marcus Lewis, DL, Urbana University (Ohio)

College Number: 95; Height: 6-3; Weight: 293

Rated #68 out of 115 DT's 

HONORS:

Lewis was a 1st Team All-MSFA selection......Participated in the first annual Magnolia Gridiron All-Star Game..... played in the 5th Annual East Coast Bowl Game

QUICK LOOK:

Ranked No.22 in the nation for Tackles for Loss per Game (1.400).... Set a new record at Urbana for blocked kicks in a season (4) and career (7)..... Lewis helped the Blue Knights to their best season of the modern era. He played two seasons at Urbana after transferring from North Carolina A&T.

 

 

Antwan Marsh, DB, Pikeville College (Ky.)

College Number: 7; Height: 6-4; Weight: 228

Rated #26 out of 92 FS's

HONORS:

Two-time NAIA first team All-American....Marsh was the first player from his school to earn AFCA Coaches' All-America Team honors.....He earned Mid-South Defensive Player of the Year honors by recording 102 tackles and four interceptions.....Named All-Conference for the second year in a row.....Was named All-Conference at two different positions strong safety and kick returner.

QUICK LOOK:

Marsh has the size and speed to compete at the next level.....All-around player has played at strong safety, kick returner, defensive back, and wide receiver....Great body build....Quick speed with a 40 Time of 4.44..... Ranked No.40 in the nation in Fumbles Forced per Game (0.200)

PRO DAY RESULTS:

Dates:  3/8/06 Height: 601 Weight: 216 40 Yrd Dash:  4.50 20 Yrd Dash:  10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 11 Vertical Jump: 31 Broad Jump: 9'11" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.28 3-Cone Drill: 6.97

 

 

Clint Ray, OL, William Penn University (Iowa)

College Number: 70; Height 6-5; Weight 311

HONORS:

Two-time second-team all-conference selection...Honorable mention all-conference in 2003.

QUICK LOOK:

Ray put on upwards of 15 pounds since the 2005 season.

PRO DAY RESULTS:

Dates:  3/9/06 Height: 605 Weight: 311 40 Yrd Dash:  5.60 20 Yrd Dash:  10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 22 Vertical Jump: 24.51 Broad Jump: 8'2" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.29 3-Cone Drill: 8.26

 

 

Michael Turner, Briar Cliff University (Iowa)

College Number: 87; Height: 6-6; Weight: 205

HONORS:

2005 2^nd team All-Conference

QUICK LOOK:

Ranked No.13 in the nation in Receive Yards per Game (84.500).... Ranked No.28 in the nation in Receptions per Game (5.100).... Ranked No.39 in the nation in Scoring (TDs) per Game (6.000)..... Ranked No.41 in the nation in Scoring per Game (6.000).

 

 

Michael Williams, Texas College

College Number: 9; Height: 6-3; Weight: 230

Rated #53 out of 147 DE's

HONORS:

First team All-Conference 2005

QUICK LOOK:

40 Time: 4.76....forgoing his senior season and declaring for the 2006 NFL Draft....Williams played two seasons at the University of Texas, before transferring to Texas College for the 2005 season... Ranked No.2 in the nation in Fumbles Forced per Game (0.400)..... Ranked No.22 in Division I in Sacks per Game (0.700).... Ranked No.35 in Division I in Tackles For Loss per Game (1.300).