Every year, the NFL draft is typically dominated by Power 5 schools. The top school changes from year to year. Recently, Alabama, Ohio State, LSU and Clemson have been among the favorite programs from which NFL teams pluck talent, but Georgia will likely top them all in 2022 thanks to its elite defense.Of course, there are always a few dozen prospects from outside of the Power 5 that make some noise. The NFL casts a wide net in its scouting proce ses, so programs from the FCS, Div. II and Div. III are able to put their names on the map as well.The will feature some prominent players from the best FCS and small-school programs. It seems likely that there will be two first-round picks from FCS programs. One of the talents, Trevor Penning, may have a chance to crack the top 15, while Christian Watson will probably go at the latter end of the first round.Most of the small-school prospects will go on Day 3 of the draft. Their names may not excite NFL fans, but they are worth noting. After all, the likes of Cooper Kupp and Darius Raheem Mostert Jersey Leonard have turned into NFL-level stars after coming from FCS backgrounds. So, maybe these prospects could be next.Below is a breakdown of the top 14 small-school prospects to know ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.MORE NFL DRAFT:|NFL Draft sleepers 20221. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern IowaPenning is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and could go in the top 15. The Northern Iowa standout has a huge frame at 6-7, 325 pounds, and started three seasons for the Panthers. He put himself on the map at the Senior Bowl and continued to impre s talent evaluators at the NFL Combine, where he clocked a 4.89-second 40-yard dash.Penning has a nasty, physical playing style and comes with a mean streak; he actually has said that the night before games to get him amped up to play. Penning’s edge Trill Williams Jersey will largely be an a set to him, but he has to be careful not to get too heated on the field. (Getty Images) 2. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota StateTwo FCS players may go in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Penning is one, and Watson is the other.Watson was a playmaker during his time at North Dakota State. He averaged a whopping 20.5 yards per catch during his college career and totaled a career-high 800 yards on 43 catches during his senior season. He did all of that and scored seven touchdowns despite playing in just eight games and dealing with inconsistent quarterback play.Watson has steadily risen during the pre-draft proce s, as his measurables have impre sed teams along with his tape. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at 6-4, 208 pounds during the 2022 NFL Combine. He has all the tools teams look for in a receiver, and if he can stay healthy, he could prove to be a great value pick in the latter half of the first round.3. Troy Andersen, LB, Montana StateYou’d be hard-pre sed to find a more productive player in this year’s draft cla s than Andersen. The Bobcats linebacker racked up 150 tackles, 14 tackles for lo s, three sacks and two interceptions during his senior season.The incredible part of Andersen’s performance in 2021 was that it was just his second full season playing linebacker. He began his career at Montana State as a running back in 2017 before moving to quarterback in 2018. Only in 2019 did he move to linebacker and find high-end succe s, totaling 54 tackles, 6.5 sacks and an interception in 11 games.Andersen is 6-3, 243 pounds and runs a 4.42 40-yard dash. He has the tools that teams look for in a starting linebacker; he just lacks experience at the position. He still should go on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft and may even draw interest as a potential top-50 pick.NFL DRAFT ORDER: 4. Cole Strange, OL, ChattanoogaThere are few offensive line prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft that have as much experience as Strange does Jaelan Phillips Jersey . He was a five-year starter for the Mocs and spent six years with the program thanks to a redshirt year and his extra year of COVID eligibility. As such, he’s a smart player and has a pro-ready 6-5, 307-pound frame.Strange spent almost all of his career playing at left guard and was rock solid for Chattanooga. His entire offensive line allowed only nine sacks during his final season. He was also named a first-team All-American by five publications and won the Jacobs Blocking Award, given to the SoCon’s best offensive lineman, two years in a row to close his career.Strange performed very well at the NFL Combine and also was granted a chance to prove himself at the Senior Bowl. The positive momentum he has built will make him a potential Day 2 prospect at guard. Some team will likely take a chance on him in Round 3. If not, he won’t last long into Day 3.5. Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston StateYou’ll notice a trend among Miami Dolphins Hoodies Sweatshirts the top FCS prospects turning pro. Many of them played in college All-Star games like the Senior Bowl, and that has helped them to gain some national exposure.That’s part of what happened with McCollum. He participated in the Senior Bowl and looked great doing so. The 6-2, 199-pound corner then was present at the combine where he blazed a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and completed the 3-cone drill in a mind-blowing 6.48 seconds. He is a great athlete and that should help him find succe s at the NFL level.McCollum was productive at Sam Houston State too, as he generated 13 career interceptions and six forced fumbles. He checks all the boxes in terms of measurables and intangibles, but he will need time to learn how to use his physical frame a bit better and cover NFL-level athletes at receiver. Expect him to go early on Day 3 if he doesn’t sneak into the very end of Day 2.6. Braxton Jones, OT, Southern UtahJones was a three-year starter at Southern Utah and played in all four of his seasons with the team. He was a top-notch blocker at left tackle and was named a first-team All-American by the AP for his performance in 2021.Jones is a well-built lineman and has the requisite size (6-5, 310 pounds) and length (35 3/8-inch arms) needed to play tackle at the NFL level. What he needs to work on is his technique he tends to play upright and needs to improve his hand placement as he currently relies more on his size to win at the point of attack. That won’t work against faster, stronger and longer NFL defenders.Still, Jones’ potential will attract some tackle-needy teams that will develop him in the swing role to start his career. He likely won’t be selected until Day 3 but should go in either the fourth or fifth round given the league-wide need for quality offensive linemen. (Getty Images) 7. Joshua Williams, CB, Fayetteville StateChances are that not many have heard of Fayetteville State, but you’re going to want to know Williams as a prospect. He’s a big cornerback with a 6-3, 195-pound frame who put himself on the map by starring at a Div. II school.Williams logged 31 tackles, three interceptions and a pa s breakup Eric Rowe Jersey in nine games
