NFL Draft Sun Belt conference preview

by Dan Kadar on Jul 28, 2010 4:13 PM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

Like every year, the Sun Belt is the worst conference in the Football Bowl Subdivision in terms of overall talent. In this year's NFL Draft the first Sun Belt player (Alex Carrington to the Bills) was taken in the third round.

Unless one of these players really breaks through, don't expect someone to be draftws from the conference quite as early this year. Regardless, here's a look at the top draft-eligible prospects from the Sun Belt.

Jerrel Jernigan | 5'9, 185 pounds | WR | Troy
Jernigan has the chance to be an exceptional kick returner at the next level. He's shifty and lightning fast. He reportedly times in the 40-yard dash at just under 4.4 seconds and gets up to speed quickly. In 2009 he finished the year with 71 receptions for 1,101 yards and four touchdowns. He's on pace to become the school's all-time receiving yards leader this year. He was given a fairly high grade by the National scouting service, with a third or fourth round projection.

Derek Newton | 6'5, 305 pounds | OT | Arkansas State
The National scouting service gave Newton a grade indicating he'd be drafted anywhere from the fifth to seventh round, so keep an eye on him. Newton started every game for the Red Wolves in 2009, his first in top-level college football. He's a consistent offensive lineman with not a lot of flash to his game. He has the footwork to keep up with speed rushers but isn't the strongest of linemen.

Rob Housler | 6'5, 236 pounds | TE | Florida Atlantic
Housler sat out the 2009 season to redshirt so he could get more playing time in 2010. It was a smart move. He's cemented at Atlantic's starting tight end and is a playmaker. He's fast for his size and has good height. He's run a verified 4.54 40-yard dash. The National scouting service rated him as the second-best senior tight end in the nation.

Dwight Dasher | 5'10, 205 pounds | QB | Middle Tennessee State
Clearly Dasher will have to change positions in the NFL. He may not have quite the size Michael Robinson did out of Penn State, but Dasher could make the same move from quarterback to running back. The preseason player of the year in the conference, Dasher was only the fourth player in NCAA history last season to top 2,500 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Dasher is very exciting to watch.

"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz

by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 28, 2010 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed. Conferences like the Sun Belt or MAC don’t necessarily have a ton of talent, but they produce some fun-to-watch football.

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Jul 29, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

As a North Texas grad

I gotta agree there’s noone deserving of note for this draft. But the ‘12 draft is a different matter. Especially when the Eagle’s Nest is completed…

You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.

by 3k on Jul 28, 2010 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

That’s a pretty slick looking stadium.

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Jul 29, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll

Probably end up pulling for Dasher or Josh Nesbitt later in the draft this year. I was pulling for Armanti Edwards or Joe Webb last draft. I want the Jags to get a slash player.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Jul 28, 2010 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

Slash wasn't all that great

if that’s what you’re referring to

Oh momma I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Lawman has put an end to my running and I'm so far from my home
Oh momma I can hear you a'crying you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very
long

If Troy, Harrison and Woodley are on top of their game, that is good for 9 wins right there, regardless of what is going on with their offense. - Mr MaLoR 28/6/10

by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Jul 31, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean

A do it all player like Kordell Stewart

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Jul 31, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, like I said, he drove a fanbase insane for years...

you want them to play a few snaps but definitely not start

If Troy, Harrison and Woodley are on top of their game, that is good for 9 wins right there, regardless of what is going on with their offense. - Mr MaLoR 28/6/10

by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Jul 31, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions