NFL Draft 2023: FCS Friday - November 11th

NFL DRAFT 2023: FCS FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 11TH

By Rebecca Rennie

Two of the top FCS prospects for 2023 headline this week’s article. The offensive lineman and edge defender have high upside physical traits with the potential to rise significantly during the pre-draft process. Another excellent athlete at safety rounds out our more in-depth discussions.

They are followed b y a pair of prospects to check out during Saturday’s games with the end of the regular season in sight. One of the career sack leaders in FCS takes on the most productive offense in the nation. We also recommend watching a dynamic running back coming off a monster performance in their last outing.

CODY MAUCH

After the hugely disappointing loss to rivals South Dakota State, the Bison have bounced back well. A 24-7 home win over Illinois State was followed by a ground-game demolition of winless Western Illinois this past weekend. The backs and O-line dominated against WIU, piling up 453 rushing yards on 55 attempts for an 8.2-yard average. With just 4 plays over two possessions, NDSU had two touchdowns to set the tone early. The eventual 56-17 blowout felt inevitable and saw the offensive starters pulled with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

It won’t be the first game film that scouts will go to when evaluating star left tackle Cody Mauch. That said, it was quite an entertaining watch, as the superb athleticism was on full show. Mauch has an excellent shot at being one of the first couple of small school prospects off the board during the 2023 NFL Draft. With a good pre-draft process, he can go much higher than many may realise at this stage. With his combination of size, length, strength and movement, he has ideal traits at a high value position. Against the Leathernecks, the technique and execution were a little erratic. Throughout though, he flew around in space and as a lead blocker, while driving and overpowering at the line of scrimmage during the run-focussed performance.

Going back to the previous week however, the Illinois State showing was arguably Mauch’s best of his senior season. The precision and control were evident not only in more dominating run blocking, but particularly as a pass protector. The timing and extension were notable, taking the initiative with an early and effective punch, setting the tone each rep. Sometimes technically inconsistent, Mauch set a sturdy wide base with coordinated shoulders and pad level. With the game still tight at 10-7 NDSU midway through the third quarter, Mauch guided Redbirds standout defender Zeke Vandenburgh out of the play off the edge. That helped open the space for quarterback Cam Miller to run the ball into the end zone.

Mauch continued to be a significant factor in the Bison pulling away as the second half proceeded. After standing out in pass pro during the opening two quarters, his impact as a run blocker only grew after the break. Following Miller’s TD run, the next drive saw North Dakota State faced with a key 3^rd & 3. Running back TaMerik Williams followed through the hole created by Mauch’s excellent drive block up the middle for a first down and much more. Early in the fourth, Mauch delivered on multiple blocks while working upfield to lead the way on a 9-yard chain-moving conversion. On a later 3^rd & 8 in the red zone, a designed QB run the to the left tackle’s side saw Mauch take out linebacker Jeremiah Jordan. Duel-threat QB Cole Payton took advantage, cutting inside for the score and 24-7 lead.

Throughout the lineman’s run blocking, his explosive release and aggressive engagement at the point of attack stood out. A high school tight end and defensive end, Mauch has retained his movement and athleticism while developing into a powerful offensive tackle prospect. There are times that his footwork and form can devolve from the ideal. The technical refinement and consistency in those aspects can improve. The tools are all there however, alongside an energetic and relentless play style to thrive in the trenches. There is a long process still to play out, but Mauch has traits that check the boxes for first round tackles. At the very least, he ought to be a Day 2 lock in this upcoming draft class.

SUNDIATA ANDERSON

Few prospects at this level have had a better couple of weeks than Grambling edge defender Sundiata Anderson. Against Alcorn State to end October, Anderson’s 7 tackles included 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. He followed that up last Saturday with another huge performance in the 36-10 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The senior pass rusher totalled another 6 tackles with 3 for loss, a sack and another QB hurry. Making the performance over the Golden Lions even more impressive, Anderson did so while often lining up opposite another top draft talent from the FCS. Arkansas-Pine Bluff left tackle Mark Evans II is a draftable prospect in his own right as a projected interior lineman.

Anderson’s presence was felt from the opening drive. Shifting inside and with fantastic explosion out of his stance, the long-framed edge brough violent fast hands. Forcing his path into the backfield, he met the running back for the first tackle for loss on the day. Later in the opening quarter, with Pine Bluff driving in the red zone, Anderson aggressively shed the block of LT Evans to take down the runner on another TFL. That forced a field goal attempt that the Lions would miss to remain scoreless.

The dynamic defender delivered on a huge series to end the half and continue his dominant impact. With the offense in Grambling territory, Anderson again shifted inside from his outside alignment. His quick appearance into the backfield drove the runner outside, before pursuing and assisting on the TFL to the sidelines. Shortly after on 4^th & 13, the Tigers edge drove the gap between Evans and the left guard, closing quickly on the QB before wrapping up for the sack. The turnover on downs left Arkansas-Pine Bluff with zero points entering the half, in large part due to Anderson.

As impressive as his combination of explosive upfield burst, length and agility are, the physicality and strength to Anderson’s game are among his best traits. It was notable during a first quarter drive to see the Grambling D-lineman attack the chest of Mark Evans and force the Golden Lions draft prospect backward multiple steps with ease. Anderson has an impactful punch with consistently good extension that sees him effectively shed blocks often. The resulting run defense impact is a valuable part of his well-rounded skill set. The core strength factors in his ability to convert speed to power to unbalance the opposition. Backed by a non-stop motor, the FCS standout becomes a nightmare to try and contain on a down-to-down basis.

With 12 TFLs and 6.5 sacks on the season, Anderson is putting together a strong finish to an impressive final season. The HBCU star ought to be a lock for one of the top All-Star gatherings following the season. The Shrine Bowl could be his destination, while the Senior Bowl could also extend an invite. The upside is obvious with the lower body explosion and reactions off the snap to create havoc off the edge.

With the burst to threaten outside and more power than expected sees him often shifting inside, he offers versatile deployment. There are the basis of good rush moves to work on, with the bend to dip and rip underneath blocks, the speed-to-power element, an effective long-arm, and some violent swipes and clubs to disengage from blocks. Working off contact and finishing with force, he excels as a reliable run defender. The Grambling standout is a name to know with upside in this 2023 class.

BENNY SAPP III

One of the more engaging and potentially significant contests of the previous weekend saw South Dakota State find enough to win over a very competitive Northern Iowa squad. Undefeated in FCS play this season, the number one ranked Jackrabbits narrowly escaped with a 31-28 result over the Panthers. With NFL prospects on both sides, there were multiple options to include in this week’s article. That included SDSU’s impressive tight end Tucker Kraft who is making a strong return from injury. Should he declare for the draft, he and Cody Mauch could be the first two FCS players off the board.

Opposing Kraft, UNI safety Benny Sapp is a prospect who has been intriguing, not only over the course of the past two seasons, but particularly in recent weeks. The hard-hitting safety has made some impactful and occasionally infamous tackles. There’s been an at-times reckless tendency to launch his body into opponents. Even in more standard tackle attempts, there has been a frustrating inconsistency with wrapping up and using reliable tackling technique. While that still occasionally shows up, Sapp has been making some outstanding open field stops the last few appearances. The past few weeks has seen some textbook breaking down in space and angles to make one-on-one tackles on the second and third level.

Sapp’s potential as a pro prospect is in part due to impressive athleticism. His light feet, easy movement, quickness over short areas and wider range of influence are key positives. The closing speed can blow up plays as part of an active game around the ball. Solidly built at a listed 205lbs, he is able to balance that burst with the ability to work through traffic. Flying downhill on multiple occasions, Sapp made several stops on SDSU runner Isaiah Davis after shedding blocks to position himself to make the play. A notable example came on a 3^rd & 8 during the first quarter, with Davis poised to convert on the ground. Sapp exploded downhill to halt his progress just prior to the first down. The resulting 4^th & 1 saw the Jackrabbits instead punt the ball away to the Panthers.

The UNI safety’s speed factors into his play against the pass. The range and ball skills have flashed well in 2022, doing so multiple times again versus South Dakota State. Early in the third quarter, Sapp quickly responded to a deeper target to Tucker Kraft. Showing his ability to match up with physical tight ends, the Panthers defender disrupted the play as the ball arrived to prevent a completion. With ten minutes remaining and down only 28-21, Sapp claimed an interception to give Northern Iowa a chance to tie. SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski slightly overthrew tight end Zach Heins. Through the traffic and bodies, Sapp made an athletic grab for the pick. UNI would succeed in converting the opportunity and level the score, though eventually losing to a later field goal.

There are areas of his game and processing that can sharpen, while still occasionally missing poorly on a tackle attempt or over-running the action. The athletic safety does bring range and ball skills against the pass, with closing speed, physicality and block-shedding skills in the run game. The pick against SDSU was his fourth of the season, following another 4 picks a year ago. The Minnesota transfer has 49 tackles on the season, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble alongside the interceptions. There should be potential to make an impression on special teams as a path to a roster spot. How he tests will be among the more interesting for this year’s FCS group.

WEEK 11 PLAYERS TO WATCH

JACOB SAYLORS, RB, EAST TENNESSEE STATE vs Western Carolina

Some players just don’t deserve to end up on the losing side. That was certainly the case with Saylors in ETSU’s last outing against Wofford. The Buccaneers were defeated 48-41 despite a monster performance by their senior running back. Saylors was sensational, taking his 22 carries for 245 yards, a ridiculous 11.1 yards per rush, with 3 touchdowns. On four kick returns he added 124 yards with a long of 58 yards. The shifty runner has dominated through 9 games to raise his draft stock. Through 2022, he has 1,134 rush yards (6.1 average) and 14 touchdowns, adding 161 receiving yards and a TD catch. He will look to add to those dominant numbers this weekend against Western Carolina.

Two takeaways particularly stood out from the Wofford performance, firstly with his mental process each rep. The understanding and chemistry with his offensive line was evident in the execution throughout. Saylors worked with patience and timing to set up and follow his lead blockers before bursting through run lanes. The 5’10, 195lb back shows high positional IQ, vision and decision making. When there was no space in which to run, he frequently found ways to create out of structure, bouncing the action outside or making a defender miss.

Secondly, was the toughness that may go undervalued given his smaller frame and typically elusive style. Saylors routinely breaks through arm tackles up the middle, working through traffic well. As a pass protector, he holds his ground to generally do enough on the play. Most impressively, during a fourth quarter run up the left sideline, Saylors lowered his shoulder and unleashed a hit that floored the oncoming defender.

With polished and instinctive reactions, footwork and balance, Saylors has short-area quickness and lateral agility to potentially continue to replicate his production at the next level. Though not soaking up targets in the passing game, the Buccaneers back works well in space with comfortable hands to potentially expand on that role in the pros. Saturday’s opponents Western Carolina are giving up 187.1 rush yards per game this season, so expect Saylors to add to his totals this weekend.

MALIK HAMM, EDGE, LAFAYETTE vs Fordham

Few offenses in the FCS are putting up points and offense as well as Fordham. Indeed, the Rams are leading the country at this level in yards per game at just a shade under 600 yards per game. Though personally preferring a game that includes strong defense, Fordham’s recent 53-52 overtime defeat to Holy Cross was one of the wildest games of the season at any level. Speaking of good defense, this is clearly a great opportunity for one of the more under-rated small school defenders to step up again and perhaps slightly subdue to statistical monster that is the Rams attack.

Lafayette edge defender Malik Hamm is reaching the conclusion of a highly productive college career. Back in 2018 as a Freshman All-American, Hamm made an immediate impact with 58 tackles, 15 TFLs and 8.5 sacks in his first season. The redshirt senior is continuing to put up numbers in 2022, including 11.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles through 9 games this year. If the 3-6 Leopards are to upset the 7-2 Rams, Hamm getting hits on Fordham QB Tim DeMorat will go a long way.

The listed 6’2, 245lb pass rusher and defensive lineman plays with effective leverage and hand placement to compliment his physical and aggressive motor. Good reactions and quickness out of his stance work well his attacking intent to often gain the upper hand initially. The fast feet and ability to keep low sees him often work under blocks and narrow angles off the edge. Hamm is an outstanding finisher once in position to take down ball carriers and QB in the backfield and beyond in the run game. A tough and technically solid defender with his level of production deserves an opportunity in training camp.

Feature Image Credit: Jacob Reiner.

Rebecca is an NFL Draft analyst focusing primarily on the FCS and Group of Five conferences, and a fan of both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Stanford Cardinal. You can find her other articles here and follow on Twitter @bex_r86.

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NFL Draft 2023: FCS Friday – November 11th