A part of The Analyst’s FCS school soccer sequence referred to as “By the Numbers,” which analyzes knowledge to assist inform the story of the Soccer Championship Subdivision.
It’s been 30 years for the reason that annual NFL Draft was decreased to seven rounds, however that fortunate seventh spherical has been a particular place for FCS-level gamers.
The ultimate spherical was maybe modified ceaselessly in 2022 when an FBS quarterback, Iowa State’s Brock Purdy, was chosen final – a draft decide affectionally celebrated as “Mr. Irrelevant” – however has gone from underdog to being as a lot of an NFL standout as many first-round picks.
Essentially the most-recent “Mr. Irrelevant” decide from FCS school soccer occurred in 2010 with Weber State broad receiver Tim Toone, taken by the Detroit Lions with the 255th decide. Since that draft, the FCS has gained 226 picks, and probably the most have come within the seventh spherical – 60, or 26.5%.
Are we speaking about future NFL Corridor of Famers being drafted within the NFL Draft’s seventh spherical? In all probability not.
However among the gamers have taken benefit of their alternative and produced at a excessive degree for a number of seasons. Some have performed in Tremendous Bowls, others within the Professional Bowl.
We check out 10 of these 60 FCS seventh-rounders since 2010 who made names for themselves within the NFL.
With, nicely, relevance.
Phillip Adams, South Carolina State, CB/PR
When Taken: 2010 – No. 224 by San Francisco 49ers
Profession: Six seasons (2010-15), six groups, 78 video games
Profession Statistics: 128 tackles, 15 passes defensed, 5 INTs
The Skinny: Adams got here out of one of the crucial profitable FCS applications for producing NFL Draft picks. He had rather a lot to be comfortable about in his life, together with a productive NFL profession, however sadly it turned for the more severe afterward. In 2021, Adams shot and killed six individuals, then turned the gun on himself at age 32. He was identified afterward with continual traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which has affected many former soccer gamers later of their life because of drama to the mind whereas enjoying the game.
Sean Lissemore, William & Mary, NT/DE
When Taken: 2010 – No. 234 by Dallas Cowboys
Profession: Six seasons (2010-15), two groups, 69 video games
Profession Statistics: 135 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 14 QB hurries
The Skinny: Lissemore began 21 video games in his profession and was an lively nostril sort out throughout three-year stints with each the Cowboys and San Diego Chargers. He additionally spent the 2016 season with the Chargers on injured reserve. He gained consideration earlier than the 2010 NFL Draft with a professional day that included 36 reps on the 225-pound bench press and a 4.8-second 40-yard sprint, a robust time for a defensive lineman.
Marc Mariani, Montana, PR/KR/WR
When Taken: 2010 – No. 222 by Tennessee Titans
Profession: Seven seasons (2010-2016), two groups, 70 video games
Profession Statistics: 3,766 punt return yards (9.2 common), 1,275 kick return yards (24.5 common), three kick/punt return touchdowns; 27 receptions, 324 yards
The Skinny: After lighting up the Large Sky Convention throughout his time enjoying at Montana, Mariani was an instantaneous sensation as a rookie for the Titans, averaging 25.5 yards per kickoff return and 12.2 yards per punt return and scoring twice to make the Professional Bowl. He proceeded to be a major return man in 2011, ‘14, ‘15 and ‘16 (he spent the 2012 and ‘13 seasons on injured reserve). Whereas enjoying for the Chicago Bears in 2015, Mariani additionally began 5 video games at broad receiver and completed with 22 catches and 300 yards.
Mike Individual, Montana State, OL
When Taken: 2011 – No. 239 by San Francisco 49ers
Profession: 9 seasons (2011-19), six groups, 73 video games
Profession Statistics: Began 48 video games at guard and heart
The Skinny: After enjoying in just one recreation whereas bouncing round NFL groups in his first three seasons, Individual’s profession gained footing with the St. Louis Rams in 2014. He made his means again to the 49ers in 2018, and one season later had 14 regular-season begins for the 2019 Niners, permitting only one sack and two penalties, earlier than he began all three of the staff’s playoff video games, together with in Tremendous Bowl LIV. That recreation would mark the ultimate one in every of his profession as he was launched within the offseason, then introduced his retirement in the summertime of 2020.
Jimmy Wilson, Montana, DB
When Taken: 2011 – No. 235 by Miami Dolphins
Profession: 5 seasons (2011-15), 4 groups, 73 video games
Profession Statistics: 199 tackles, 5 INTs, 18 passes defensed, 4 TFLs
The Skinny: Wilson picked off such quarterbacks as Michael Vick, Matt Ryan and Colt McCoy throughout his five-year profession. His greatest season occurred with the Dolphins in 2014, when he began 13 of his 14 video games and registered 58 tackles as a free security. He didn’t play in a recreation in 2016 whereas being a member of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals.
Nick Williams, Samford, DL
When Taken: 2013 – No. 223 by Pittsburgh Steelers
Profession: 9 seasons (2014-23), six groups, 97 video games
Profession Statistics: 157 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 21 TFLs, seven passes defensed
The Skinny: After bouncing round within the NFL and registering simply 18 tackles from 2013-18 (he wasn’t on a roster in 2017), Williams started to get his probability on the sector within the 2019 season, and he totaled six sacks and 42 tackles for the Chicago Bears. He has began 48 video games since 2019 and was a full-time starter for the Detroit Lions in 2020 and ‘21. He’s a free agent after enjoying 14 video games for the Los Angeles Chargers final yr.
Shelby Harris, Illinois State, DL
When Taken: 2014 – No. 235 by Oakland Raiders
Profession: 9 seasons (2014-23), 4 groups, 115 video games
Profession Statistics: 289 tackles, 26 sacks, 46 TFLs, 34 passes defensed
The Skinny: Discuss a gem within the NFL Draft’s seventh spherical. Harris started his profession at Wisconsin, however after a redshirt freshman season, he transferred to Illinois State and have become a standout. After enjoying sparingly with the Raiders in 2014 and ‘15, he discovered his probability as a Denver Broncos defensive sort out throughout the 2017-21 seasons, together with as a starter the ultimate three years. Final season, Harris began seven of the Cleveland Browns’ 17 regular-season video games and had two tackles in a playoff loss. He’s since signed a one-year contract extension.
Lachlan Edwards, Sam Houston State, P
When Taken: 2016 – No. 235 by New York Jets
Profession: 5 seasons (2016-21), 5 groups, 74 video games
Profession Statistics: 45.7 yards per punt, 376 punts, 116 contained in the 20-yard line
The Skinny: Edwards was born in Australia and is one in every of a handful of stellar punters who’ve come from that nation and made a reputation for themselves in each the faculty {and professional} ranks. He was the beginning punter for the Jets in his first 4 years within the NFL, and had a excessive of 47.9 yards per punt in 10 video games with the 2021 Carolina Panthers. He was not on an lively roster in 2020.
Kaden Elliss, Idaho, LB
When Taken: 2019 – No. 244 by New Orleans Saints
Profession: 5 seasons (2019-23), two groups, 65 video games
Profession Statistics: 223 tackles, 12 sacks
The Skinny: Elliss performed solely his senior season on the FCS degree after Idaho dropped again down from the FBS in 2018. However as soon as the Vandals made that transfer, the son of former Lions defensive sort out Luther Elliss rose as a draft prospect. He lastly turned a starter with the Saints in 2022, and his first season with the Atlanta Falcons a yr in the past is clearly the very best of his profession – he began all 17 video games and totaled 122 tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
Rodney Thomas II, Yale, DB
When Taken: 2022 – No. 239 by Indianapolis Colts
Profession: Two seasons (2022-23), one staff, 34 video games
Profession Statistics: 86 tackles, six INTs, 10 passes defensed
The Skinny: After his five-year, four-season Yale profession, Thomas posted a formidable professional day and was thought-about a multi-dimensional defensive participant who may assist a staff at security, cornerback or edge linebacker. He’s since made a easy transition to the NFL, registering his first skilled interception in opposition to Russell Wilson and returning it 35 yards throughout his 2022 rookie marketing campaign. He additionally had 52 tackles that season.
Whereas few and much between in comparison with the NFL Draft’s seventh-round picks, right here’s an inventory of all FCS gamers who’ve been chosen within the first spherical.)
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