The Hunt Report: Ranking the top 10 small college prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft, plus European Football League gems

Football is a global game and professional scouts constantly scour the planet to find the best players who can help their respective teams. Currently there are 774 colleges nationwide sponsoring football, the highest level ever, with six more programs adding the sport in 2023. That means there are a ton of players who have the physical ability to play professional ball – – so much so that there will be a lot of players falling through the cracks.

What does Tthe hunting report will do is help seal a few of those cracks, giving you the names of underrated and lesser-known prospects you’ll want to watch out for throughout the college football season and in the draft process.

We here at CBSSports.com and The hunting report want to create the perfect place and platform for the underdog, the training camp surprise player, the pre-season darling, the-who-is-that-guy and where’s that guy from will end up playing for your favorite NFL, USFL, XFL and/or CFL team.

I’ll do the work so you don’t have to! And you can be sure that I will leave no stone unturned to discover hidden gems from around the world throughout the college football season.

So, without further ado, here’s the first hunt report for week zero.

‘Cause it’s the start of The hunting reportI thought it would be cool to share with you some of the potential prospects currently playing in the European Football League that I have been monitoring throughout the spring and summer.

A little throwback to the ELF: the league is in its second season and has 12 franchises across Europe. The ELF will grow to 16 teams in 2022 and possibly to 24 teams in the future. You will recognize some of the team names from the old days of NFL Europa, as the league has an agreement with the NFL to use team names. What’s unique about the ELF is their focus on developing homegrown talent, so you won’t see more than four “non-European” players in each roster, making it 90% made up of national players who make it a real European league.

The rules and gameplay are very similar to the NFL, with the kickoff situation similar to the XFL in 2020. Having watched games throughout the season, the quality of play is impressive and on par with what you would see in the NFL. pre-season. Current Dallas Cowboys comeback specialist and 2022 USFL MVP Kavontae Turpin played in the ELF in 2021 for the Wroclaw Panthers, just to give you an idea of ​​the kind of talent in the league.

Here are some players you want to get familiar with as we approach the end of the season, which concludes on September 25 in Klagenfurt, Austria with the ELF Championship game.

WR/RET Jean Constant (Hamburg Sea Devils)

• Age: 26
• Height: 5-9
• Lester: 180
• Middle School: stony stream

Constant would be my choice to be” this year Kavontae Turpin“, because the former Stony Brook player has been an instant attack this season for the Sea Devils. So far he has received more than 800 yards with seven touchdowns and a very healthy average of 21.1 yards per return from punting while leading the league in punt return yards.Constant also played last season with the Barcelona Dragons in a similar capacity. Next game: August 28 against Wroclaw

QB Jackson Erdmann (Vienna Vikings)

• Age: 25
• Height: 6-3
• Lester: 215
• Middle School: St. John’s (MN)

I remember spotting Erdmann at the 2020 College Gridiron Showcase, coming back impressed with how he didn’t look out of place against top talent despite his Division III level. Needless to say, he continued to elevate his game with the Vikings. It’s the accuracy and placement of the ball from deep that caught my attention, along with the way he demonstrates skill in navigating the middle zone of the court. Next game: August 28 against Barcelona

RB Glen Toonga (Hamburg Sea Devils)

• Age: 27
• Height: 5-11
• Lester: 226
• Middle School: University of Southampton

Toonga is a 27-year-old fullback, but he has massive ability with football in his hands. His age suggests he’s a plug-and-play guy and can help a football team right away. He is the league’s leading rusher with 1,251 yards (300 yards more than the second-place rusher), averaging 5.9 yards per carry with 17 rushing scores. It’s his ability to be a chunky maker that makes him special. Think of Alexander Mattison. Next game: August 28 against Wroclaw

LB Flamur Simon (Cologne Centurions)

• Age: 23
• Height: 6-5
• Lester: 253
• Middle School: N / A

Simon might be the best defensive prospect in the league and also has the most upside. He participated in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program in 2021 and was expected to sign with UMass before the pandemic ended that opportunity. He is an athletic SAM type of backer who has the ability to play with his hand in the dirt and rush the QB or as a drop player in coverage. He also shows great hands and instincts, with two interceptions and a six pick on his resume. Next game: August 27 against Rhein

college football

10. AR Josh Ewanchyna

• Middle School: The University of Saskatchewan
• Height: 5-10
• Lester: 200

Ewanchyna has seen teammate Adam Machart garner a ton of well-deserved accolades and accolades, but quietly, Ewanchyna could end up being the best prospect and the next pro. It’s the explosiveness of the first step that jumps out at you, as well as his ability to quickly straighten his shoulders, drop down and fly over defenders. Even in a sideline role last season, he was able to string together enough splash plays to warrant an invite to the 2022 USports East-West Bowl last May, which is their version of the Senior Bowl played before the college football season. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him get some attention in the United States in addition to being an early round pick in the CFL. Next game: September 1 against the University of Calgary

9. DE/OLB Andrew Farmer

• Middle School: Lane College
• Height: 6-3
• Lester: 245

One of the most underrated pressure players in college football and the HBCU ranks, Farmer can work well as an off-ball support or SAM/EDGE. His acceleration and closing speed to the QB is what constantly jumps out at you on the boards. The good news for Farmer is that he has a chance to really jump on the radar in his first game of the season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s OL Mark Evans. Next game: September 3 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

8. RB Josh Cummings

• Middle School: Western Colorado
• Height: 5-11
• Lester: 220

Cummings is a good natural runner who has above average contact balance. You don’t spill it; you tend to bump it sideways. He is able to combine vision, footwork and body lean to be a highly productive chain mover at the pro level. He has the ability to score with or without volume and has a nose for the end zone. Next game: September 3 vs. West Texas A&M

7. OT Quinton Barrow

• Middle School: great valley state
• Height: 6-5
• Lester: 330

For such a big guy, Barrow has great footwork and athleticism. He is consistent on both sides of the attack, in running play and in pass protection. I’m not worried about the level of competition he plays because GLIAC is arguably the best conference in D2. Barrow’s skills, size, strength and athleticism will certainly translate across the board. Next game: September 3 against Colorado School of Mines

6. WR Keilahn Harris

• Middle School: Oklahoma Baptist
• Height: 5-10
• Lester: 180

The term “fluidity” describes Harris well. OBU likes to have football in its hands – in every possible way. In addition to his excellent receiving abilities, he is also a very good kick-off returner. I’m a huge fan of his confidence in the game, and you can see that on every drive, on every reception and with the ball in his hands. Harris has a shot at being Montrell Washington this season. Next game: September 1 against Ouachita Baptist

5. BY Malik Hamm

• Middle School: Lafayette
• Height: 6-2
• Lester: 255

I was the color analyst for his game against Georgetown, and it didn’t take long for him to make his presence felt. He has tremendous passing ability and a relentlessness in being a constant nuisance throughout the game. He entered the transfer portal after the season, but found his way back to the Leopards, much to the chagrin of the rest of the Patriot League. Next game: September 3 vs. Sacred Heart

4. WR Jaxon Janke

• Middle School: state of south dakota
• Height: 6-2
• Lester: 210

Jaxon has a twin brother (Jadon) on the team, who is solid in his own right. However, it was Jaxon who broke out last year, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards. He is tough, competitive on the course and at the catch point, and also shows above average YAC skills. He is the next in a long line of talented Jackrabbit pass catchers. Next game: September 3 against Iowa

3. OL Mark Evans

• Middle School: Arkansas Pine Bluff
• Height: 6-3
• Lester: 300

Evans won the Willie Roaf Award last season, which is given to Arkansas’ top OL, and was also part of Denny’s All-Pancaker team. Explosive off the ball, Evans is really capable of digging into a defender’s chest and getting them out of the paint quickly. He is an LT for the Golden Lions and can have a G house at the next level. Because of his talents, Evans is on the East-West Shrine Bowl watch list. Next match: September 3 vs. Lane College

2. BY Brevin Allen

• Middle School: Campbell
• Height: 6-4
• Lester: 270

Quietly, coach Mike Minter has built a bully in Buies Creek with his Camels program, and Allen is one of the biggest bullies up front. He has the versatility to play as a Technical 5, but could find a home as an LDE as a pro. Allen has a good ball and a long arm stroke that helps him create disruption up front. Next game: September 1 against Citadel

1. TE Thomas Greaney

• Middle School: University of Albany
• Height: 6-5
• Lester: 254

Greaney is only scratching the surface of what he could potentially become as a player. He has a good blocking technique, whether it’s in line, detached or on the move. And he’s solid in the sub-middle passing game. What I will be watching this season is to see if he has added more strength to his game. Next game: September 3 against Baylor