50ish Names in 50 Days: A Tackle Two-For

Tom Compton earned pro buzz earlier this spring at South Dakota’s Junior Pro Day. Among the accomplishments for the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Coyotoe was a 5.03 40, a figure more befitting a Roadrunner given his size.

But Compton’s more than a drills producer. He was First Team All-Great West Conference and helped set the table for the Coyotes to average a healthy 358 yards per game. USD was right in the middle of all FCS programs in total offense, sacks allowed (21), passing (208) and rushing offense (150). Certainly worthwhile given the Coyotes are still under provisional reclassification into Division I.

Phil Steele named Compton a Fourth Team FCS All-American.

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Southeast Missouri State’s surprise road to a share of the Ohio Valley Conference title was paved by four of the league’s five First Team selections. The controlled burn that is NCAA eligibility deforested the Redhawks’ line, but a sequoia is left standing. Tackle Evan Conrad will anchor an offensive line that in 2010 allowed just six sacks. Read that again: SIX SACKS over the course of 12 games. Even with more returning experience, replicating that level success would be daunting so SEMO can’t be expected to provide such airtight protection with just Conrad back. But the 6-foot-3, 310-pound junior certainly makes for a solid foundation.

Conrad has 21 starts over the past two seasons, which is one more than the amount of sacks allowed over that same timespan. His individual contributions include amazing speed. He comes off the line like a tight end and can pick up fleet-footed linebacker blitzes and end rushes, but has plenty of strength to work the interior. His highlight package from Columbia, Mo. Hickman High School exhibits his abilities.

In two years under former Nebraska offensive line standout Brian Boerboom, Conrad’s only gotten better. Boerboom was First Team All-Big 8 Conference in 1991 and has left his imprint on the Redhawk line. Conrad has certainly benefitted, and so has the entire SEMO offense.