Gene Clemons uncovers some of the most underrated small school prospects going into the 2025 NFL Draft.

The buildup to the 2025 NFL Draft will be filled with familiar names from a bunch of FBS schools. They will be discussed and debated constantly. But there is more talent than the FBS can hold so, of course, the lower-levels have them. Many times we overlook the small school talent and wonder where some of the names that are called during the NFL Draft come from. To be clear there are no small schools at the FBS level. The MAC is not a small school conference. Small school is defined by any level below the FBS. Here’s your opportunity to get familiar with a few names that you may have heard before and others that you need to familiarize yourself with before they end up on your team. That way when your friends ask “Who is that?” you can put them up on game!

Efton Chism | WR | Eastern Washington


Chism has not been handed anything this offseason. He's taken it. After rewriting the record books at Eastern Washington, which included a few records that belonged to Cooper Kupp, he attacked the postseason evaluation period looking to once again prove that he can be effective at the next level. He went to the Hula Bowl and really impressed, which opened the door as a last-minute addition at the Shrine Bowl. He was able to impress scouts and every other onlookers  

The key to Chism’s effectiveness in the slot is his build. At 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, he is stronger than he may initially seem. He has a strong, explosive lower half that allows him to get in and out of breaks quickly. It also keeps him from getting knocked off his route in traffic. He understands leverage and uses that understanding to find open areas in the defense and, of course, he catches everything. He will be an intriguing prospect because those traits have nothing to do with the level he played at. They all illuminate how he plays the game. 

Chism reminds me of former NFL slot merchant and Notre Dame great Golden Tate, who played for the Seahawks, Lions, Eagles, and Giants. They have similar tightly wound bodies, but somehow still manage to maintain their fluidity.

Carson Vinson | OT | Alabama A&M

The North Carolina native started for three seasons after spending his first two trying to break into the lineup. That is an unusual thing in this transfer portal world. When his career was over, he amassed 3,428 career snaps and surrendered only 18 sacks. That type of production, mixed with a frame north of 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds put him on the radar of NFL scouts and front office personnel. This season Vinson was disappointingly the only HBCU player represented at the Senior Bowl. What he did was make sure that stood out and put on a performance with the entire HBCU community on his back. 

The thing that makes Vinson stand out is that at his size he has still retained his fluidity and athleticism. That was on display at the Senior Bowl, where he faced what seemed like an overwhelming number of explosive edge rushers and defensive ends. He has excellent lateral quickness that allows him to change direction quickly. He also has long arms to keep distance and not allow defenders to eat up his cushion. It keeps him from chasing consistently and was the catalyst for his success at tackle. He proved that he has the ability to be a premier pass-protecting tackle on either side of the line, and while he is still improving as a run blocker we know the name of the game in the league is protecting the quarterback. 

His game reminds me a lot of Denver tackle Garett Bolles when he was coming out of Utah, especially the long arms and lateral quickness. Like Bolles, Vinson still has some raw elements to his game and an NFL strength and conditioning program will do him wonders. 

Elijah Williams | DL | Morgan State

The man known around campus as “Agent 0” will go down as one of the best defensive players in Morgan State football history. He is the school’s all-time leader in sacks (31) and tackles for loss (52). He has accumulated several All-American and All-MEAC awards during his Bears career. This past season while leading the team to its best record in a decade, WIlliams was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year after a season where he compiled 54 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. He was named a FCS 2nd Team All-American and finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award given to the best defensive player in the country. 

Williams has a chance to be the steal of the draft. It was a shock when he was not invited to the Shrine or Senior Bowl, but luckily he will get the chance to show his skills one more time in the HBCU Legacy Bowl. At 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds he provides the frame for position flexibility. During his career he has been effective at nose guard, 3-tech, and on the edge. He has elite-level burst off the line of scrimmage and powerful hands. He consistently displaces the line of scrimmage and plays in the backfield. He is good at shedding blocks to make tackles and as a pass rusher has a good bend to get around the corner and flat. 

Williams has a similar trajectory as LA Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner, who was also a former FCS product. If Williams would have transferred to a P4 school and played his final season there he would have a lot more eyeballs on him. 

Thomas Perry | OL | Middlebury

For three seasons Perry dominated at the DIII level. He was an all-conference and All-American performer. He helped his team compile a 21-6 record in the ultra competitive New England Small College Athletic Conference. He has been an elite-level interior blocker who understands leverage. He was a former state championship wrestler and you can see elements of that aggressiveness in his play. He moves bodies off the line and shows a level of aggressiveness necessary to compete with the massive bodies of the NFL. 

He received an invite to the Shrine Bowl and while there he was able to show that he belongs in the conversation with the guys at the highest level. One of the biggest questions was if he could handle the speed and power of the top level Division I guys. He passed with flying colors. He showed his interior versatility across both guard spots and at center. He is powerful at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds. Besides his versatility on the interior, his best attribute is his power and tenacity. He has really good footwork and quickness, which allows him to convert speed to power. He works up to the second level and on the perimeter well, and when he gets there he usually has bad intentions. 

Perry could have a Greg Van Roten-type of value in the NFL. He is a guard who will likely be asked to learn center. His value will continue to be in his interior versatility. 

Grey Zabel | OL | NDSU

North Dakota State has enjoyed a ton of success over the years, and the one thing that has remained consistent about the FCS powerhouse is its ability to develop and produce offensive linemen and Grey Zabel is yet another example. He worked his way into a full-time starting role after three years as a backup and spot starter. In that time he learned from several guys who would eventually go on to play professionally. He showed his willingness to put team first and do whatever was in the best interest of the program’s overall success. Nothing exemplified that more than starting at different positions during his two-season run in the starting lineup. 

At 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds, Zabel is the perfect size for a versatile asset along the offensive line. That is exactly what he has proven to be in his career. He started at guard, right tackle, and left tackle during his time with the Bison. He was able to receive a Senior Bowl invite and again showed his versatility by lining up at center and stonewalling almost every interior defensive linemen they threw in front of him. He is a hard-nosed, blue-collar lineman who wins with tenacity and grit more than athleticism, which is actually good for the longevity of his career and his continued versatility in the league. He has great contact balance and is able to anchor down well against bull rushers. 

Zabel reminds me of Joe Thuney. The versatility to play every position on the offensive line and to will himself into being one of the best to play.