FCS sleeper OT Spencer Brown brings unique spark to 2021 NFL Draft

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Mark Farley of the Northern Iowa Panthers before their match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes, on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Mark Farley of the Northern Iowa Panthers before their match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes, on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

UNI offensive tackle Spencer Brown has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft

Small school 2021 NFL Draft prospects are entering unchartered territories as the pandemic is beginning to leak over into the fall. After football at the FCS level has been pushed back to the Spring, some of the bigger prospects have had a decision to make; one of those players is Northern Iowa offensive tackle Spencer Brown.

After Northern Iowa’s schedule has been pushed back to the spring, his teammate and talented edge rusher Elerson Smith has entered the transfer portal, along with defensive back Xavior Williams. Brown, however, has decided to take a different route as he will now enter the 2021 NFL Draft and train for its festivities.

"“I’m not going to go somewhere after I became the player I am and worked for four or five years at UNI and became this somewhat good player. I’m not going to let someone else reap the benefits of what UNI did for me. I don’t want to go somewhere and be under a system of guys that didn’t like me from the start.”"

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What Spencer Brown brings to the 2021 NFL Draft

Listed at a massive 6-foot-9 and 321 pounds, Brown has the length to dominate at the next level, even if he did play at an FCS school for his collegiate ball. He is quite the athlete as well, and will be set to wow a great deal of people when the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine rolls around.

A converted tight end, Brown has put on nearly 100 pounds of good, lean weight since entering UNI. However, Brown has not lost much of his mobility and fluidity, as he can navigate into space well and climb up to the second level with ease in the running game as well.

Looking at his projection to the NFL

If Brown played at a Power Five school, he would be considered one of the top offensive tackles in this year’s draft class. This should not change just because he played at the FCS level. He has the size, athletic ability, and tenacity to be a fantastic offensive tackle at the NFL despite his current level of competition.

Currently, Brown is this writer’s fifth overall tackle in this 2021 NFL Draft class, and after the combine, there is room for him to grow and rise up the list. Do not sleep on Brown as he looks to be a longtime starter in the NFL as he now prepares for the next chapter in his life.