*Forgotten Prospects of the S14 DSFL Draft

[Baron1898]

It’s almost time for the historic S14 DSFL Draft- the largest minor league draft class in history- and scouting season is in full swing. With so many new rookies to account for, 88 at the time of writing with more possibly on the way, it can be hard to look past the highly touted prospects and examine those possibly flying under the radar. But that’s what I’ll do in this article- take a look at nine prospects across the board that could get forgotten in the flood of new recruits but have tremendous potential for greatness and, most importantly, have already displayed consistent activity.


RB - Farley Hank - Receiving Back

5’8”, 205 lbs
FSU

Farley Hank is an exciting and well-rounded draft prospect at the receiving back position. Hank displays good pass-catching ability and can outmaneuver defenders on the open field once in possession of the ball. He has invested training into his weakest attribute, straight-line speed, and is capable of serving as a versatile back both in the backfield and split out wide.


RB - Morgan Marshall - Receiving Back (*)

6’0”, 200 lbs
Princeton

*My player, so inherent bias alert.

Morgan Marshall is an intelligent receiving back prospect with good fundamental scores across the board. His agility, speed, and pass-catching combine for a reliable target that can be lined up anywhere on the field and give his team’s quarterback a dangerous weapon. Strength is a concern, but if boosted with training points and experience, Marshall can prove himself a franchise starter with every down potential and versatility.


LB - Quenton Bode - Coverage

6’1”, 225 lbs
Nebraska

Quenton Bode displays solid athleticism all around with no glaring weaknesses in his tape. Agility and tackling aren’t the highest in his class, nor is his speed, but Bode displays a demonstrated passion for the game and he can use future improvements to smooth out the edges and become a viable every down defender. Plus he’s a polar bear.


LB - Mo Berry - Balanced

6’2”, 230 lbs
Nebraska

Mo Berry is a bruising balanced linebacker prospect with good technical skills and ability to make stops. Speed and agility are comparatively weaker than others in his class, but Berry is an ideal run stopping linebacker and with time can contribute on passing downs as well. Berry’s athleticism will help whichever team ends up drafting him bolster their defensive front and terrorize opposing rushers.


LB - Lightsout Lewis - Coverage

6’2”, 227 lbs
East Carolina

Besides having a very fortunate name for a linebacker, Lightsout Lewis is an intelligent and agile coverage linebacker with the ability to stick with opposing route runners and win matchups. With training invested into weaker areas of Lewis’ game like strength, the linebacker can stand out in a crowded and top-heavy class and become a diamond in the rough franchise starter.


CB - Xerxes Ridley - Zone

6’1”, 190 lbs
Georgia Tech

Ridley displays clear technical proficiency in his game and is a very polished coverage option, whether he needs to read the offense’s play or use his speed to hang with wide receivers. What Ridley currently lacks is athleticism- both endurance and strength are red flags. “The Dragon” will need to boost his inferior ability in these physical traits to live up to his diva personality and capitalize on his football smarts.


CB - Lucas Knight - All-Around

6’0”, 198 lbs
Texas A&M

Knight’s game revolves around his ability to stick with athletic receivers and make plays on the ball- he can effectively cover in both man and zone and create turnovers for the defense. Lackluster physical strength may allow Knight to get bullied by larger receivers and tight ends, but with solid fundamentals across the board, Knight has the potential to become a lockdown corner.


S - Fatih Terim - All-Around

6’2”, 210 lbs
Galatasaray

Terim is a truly well-rounded safety prospect that can be inserted into nearly every scheme and help pull together a defense. The cost of his versatility is that Terim does not truly excel in any one category, and thus can be hard to stand out from his peers. But Terim has shown an active commitment to shoring up statistics across the board with frequent training, showing a mental drive that should let Terim rise towards the top of the pool of safeties and secure a franchise starting job.


S - Martavius Mack - All-Around

6’2”, 215 lbs
Penn State

Mack shows promise with the physicality required to play a well-rounded safety; he is able to cover bigger targets effectively and avoid blown coverages. Mack needs to work on being able to create turnovers and identify offensive routes more consistently, but some experience and training should help the safety shore up his game and find success in the minor and major leagues.