2020 NFL Draft watchlist: Top Group Of Five sleepers to keep an eye on

It’s not very often we see group-of-five schools on TV, but when you do here are several NFL Draft prospects to keep on your radar.

Keeping tabs on every NFL Draft prospect in the Power-5 can be a grueling task, then you add another five conferences to the mix and things can get a little messy. Group-of-five schools don’t often have elite talent, but when they do it sticks out.

Here are three players from each side of the ball who have popped on film.

Offense

Last season the leading wide receiver for the Southern Methodist Mustangs was not Reggie Roberson, it was James Proche. However, this year a new story seems to be unfolding; Roberson looks to be taking over as the favorite receiver with the new addition at quarterback.

In the first two games of the season, Roberson has recorded 2 touchdowns, 274 yards, and 17 receptions with an average of 16.1 yards per reception. Not only a gifted receiver but he can also double as a return man; last season he returned 5 kickoffs for an average of 41.6 yards and one touchdown.

Last year Nathan Gillman was forced to move to RT for the Wake Forest Deacons after an injury to Justin Herron. After a year at T, Gillman has now returned back to RG, his former position.

Gillman redshirted for the Deacons as a freshman, but ever since has played a role in Wake Forest’s offensive front. As a RS freshman, Gillman played in 10 games and earned a start as well. Continually a major part in the Deacons’ offense, Gillman can be effective in both, the running and passing game.

Josiah Deguara will not be the only player from the Cincinnati Bearcats to make the list and for good reason. Deguara poses a threat at all levels of the field for the Bearcats; he can stretch the field vertically, or underneath on a crossing route.

Deguara played in all 13 games for Cincinnati last season bringing in 5 touchdowns and 468 yards on 38 receptions. Proving to be a versatile TE, he has no problem lining up as an inline TE or even a slot on the outside. Deguara fits the archetype that NFL coaches and general managers are looking for.

Defense

Perry Young played in 8 games last season for the Bearcats before going down with an ACL injury. Despite the injury and not playing in the final four games for Cincinnati, Young was still able to achieve First-Team All-AAC honors.

Young, similar to Deguara, fits the mold of the NFL: he is a smaller, quick LB, as opposed to the brute strength, “meat-heads” of the past. Young can take on RBs coming out of the backfield, showing the ability to keep up with them in short areas of the field and down the sideline.

In order to make the jump from a late-round to mid-round talent, he may need to add on some muscle but is a talented prospect nonetheless.

Surprisingly, Patrick Johnson is not getting the hype he deserves. Last season for the Tulane Green Wave, Johnson recorded 10.5 sacks, 14 TFLs, and 4 forced fumbles; his 10.5 sacks, ultimately, led to a tie for the most sacks by a sophomore in the country.

Not only does Johnson pose a huge threat coming off the edge, but he can also drop back into coverage with success; he totaled 5 pass deflections for the Green Wave last year. In order for Johnson to get his name out there, he won’t need to change much about his, he just needs time.

TJ Carter may just be the most well-known prospect to make the list, but one can argue he still isn’t getting all the attention he deserves. Carter is coming off back to back seasons with more than 10 pass deflections.

Luckily for Carter, he has gotten the opportunity to play in both off-man and press coverage. He was able to find success in both methods. His strength comes in bump-n-run; he can use physicality at the line to hold up bigger, and/or faster receivers.

Listed as 5-foot-11, Carter appears smaller on film and may have to resort to playing in the slot at the next level because of his lack of size.