Don't Sleep On Sam Houston State

Familiar to most fans are big name programs such as Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, and USC that are known for playing against the best competition college football has to offer — in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) — and routinely putting prospects in the NFL. Often unnoticed are the programs that dominate at the Football Championship Subdivision level (FCS) also have had success when having players that've proven capable of competing at the next level, as well. The quantity and quality of prospects coming from the FCS level often times is on a smaller scale than that of the traditional football powerhouses, however, that doesn't always mean that a relatively unknown prospect from a small school program will be unable to find success in the NFL that surpasses that of a "can't miss" first round pick who fans and teams are well-acquainted with by end of their college career. To begin the 2017 season there were 160 players on active NFL rosters that competed and completed their careers at the FCS level, which accounted for 13 percent of all players in the NFL. Delaware, North Dakota State, and Appalachian State, led all schools with the largest amount of former FCS players on NFL rosters, with six a piece. Meanwhile, the New York Jets were the team with the most former FCS players on their roster, with 12, including two former Sam Houston State products in starters quarterback Josh McCown and punter Lachlan Edwards.

Despite having a highly successful season making it to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs, where it fell to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, finishing 12-2, and having two seniors that were All-Americans, as well as four other seniors voted All-Southland Conference, Sam Houston State didn't have any players invited to participate amongst the 336 prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine. Of which included 20 players that played in the FCS. Still nearly all NFL teams sent representatives to Sam Houston State's Pro Day to view and evaluate the prospects who participated with hopes of landing an opportunity of a roster spot in the near future. Of the six former student-athletes that participated at the event held at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas, the two players regarded as the most likely NFL Draft prospects were multi FCS All-American selections quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe and defensive lineman PJ Hall.

While in attendance, unfortunately for Briscoe, he was unable to physically perform at the event due to injury, but has a pretty decent track record and resume which to stand upon as the draft nears. After beginning his career at University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB), which dismissed it's football program after the 2014 season, Briscoe transferred to Sam Houston State where he put together an illustrious career, to say the least. In 2017 the 6'3 QB became only the second player to ever repeat as the winner of the Walter Payton Award (FCS version of the Heisman Trophy) after throwing for over 5,000 yards, falling just 73 yards short of the FCS single season passing record, while also converting 45 passes for touchdowns — both of which led the country. Briscoe's overall statistics in 2016 were just as, if not more, impressive, when he threw 57 touchdowns, while putting up a career high in completion percentage (62.6) and totaling 4,602 passing yards in one less game than he played in 2017. Despite not being invited to the combine or able to physically participate in Sam Houston State's Pro Day, Briscoe did get a chance to show himself to NFL teams and personnel as he was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game, one of the top postseason college all-star games where potential NFL Draft prospects are evaluated throughout the week of practice and game by NFL teams in attendance.

Similar to his teammate Jeremiah Briscoe, PJ Hall had an outstanding career while at Sam Houston State and was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game.  Over the last four seasons, Hall put together one of the most productive careers of any player at the college level 286 tackles, 86.5 tackles for loss, 42 sacks, nine forced fumbles, four interceptions, and 14 blocked kicks, while playing defensive end before transitioning inside to defensive tackle. Hall's presence and play was of note from the outset as he was a four-time FCS All-American and first-team All-Southland Conference selection. Additionally, he was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS top defensive player) the last three years, while winning Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. Still, like Briscoe, he didn't earn an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine.

Fortunately for Hall he was able to perform on Monday and made teams take notice of the performance he put forth. At 6'0 1/2, 308 pounds, Hall's numbers and results from the his various workouts were tremendous when taking into consideration his size and in comparison to that of defensive lineman who were selected to participate at the NFL Scouting Combine. He showed outstanding lower body explosion as he recorded a 38 inch vertical jump, which would've ranked second amongst all defensive lineman and first of all defensive tackles at the combine. His recorded time 40-yard dash time of 4.74 also was faster than that of any defensive tackle at the combine, while his 9'8" broad jump would've ranked second at the position and tied for sixth of all defensive lineman. In addition to his lower body explosion and speed, Hall also displayed his natural brute strength, putting up a solid number on the bench press, with 36 reps of 225 pounds, which would've only been behind top defensive tackle prospects Vita Vea and Harrison Phillips.

When going through positional drills, Hall was put to test by the defensive line coaches of the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers. After the workout the New England Patriots stuck around to conduct a formal interview/meeting with the FCS all-time leaders in tackles for loss, who is set to workout privately for the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles. Hall also has official visits scheduled with the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Bucs, a list which should only increase after his showing at Sam Houston State's Pro Day on Monday. The Sequin, Texas native should be one of the few players who weren't invited to the combine that will be selected in this year's NFL Draft, with the potential to be picked earliest of them all — possibly in the third or fourth round. Jeremiah Briscoe remains a viable NFL prospect though his potential draft selection will likely rely on what he is able to show teams during possible private interviews and meetings as the draft approaches. Their is a distinct possibility that despite his accolades and achievements the former college pitcher will go unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, though it is more likely he'll be on an NFL roster during training camp this summer, regardless.