Their stories are different but share a common thread: They played far from the bright lights of the big-time college football programs, but didn’t give up their dream of playing in the NFL.
The road to the NFL away from the Power 5 spotlight and through the Football Championship Subdivision or even Division II presents its own set of obstacles, from lesser facilities and amenities to the challenge of catching the eye of pro scouts. But several players have navigated that route and are hoping to hear their name called during the 2022 NFL draft on April 28-30 on ESPN and ABC.
Some, such as Cole Strange, Christian Watson and Pierre Strong Jr., wowed observers at the NFL combine. Others, including Joshua Williams, Noah Elliss and Cordell Volson, had skills that could not be ignored. And Elliss and Watson have NFL experience in their blood.
Our team of college football reporters — Chris Low, Heather Dinich, Bill Connelly, Harry Lyles Jr. and Kyle Bonagura — share the stories of some small school draft prospects who, through hard work, determination and resolve, are bucking the odds in taking an unconventional path to the draft.
Cole Strange’s introduction to playing on the offensive line was a No. 69 jersey and a pair of knee braces sitting in front of his locker when he arrived at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga back in 2016. The closest he had come to playing on the offensive line to that point was taking a few snaps at tight end in high school.
As a 245-pound defensive end/linebacker coming out of Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, Strange flew under the radar during the recruiting process. He jokes now that even as a lifelong Tennessee Volunteers fan who never missed a home game as a kid, the only way he could get on campus as a recruit was to tag along with a high school teammate.
“And that was an unofficial visit because he got to bring some guests,” Strange said. “Here I was in the…
Source : espn
