NFL Draft: Top 10 small school prospects
By John Scimeca
8. Kelvin McKnight, WR, Samford
The Bulldogs’ all-time record holder in receptions (312), receiving yards (4,121), and touchdowns (34) might fly under the radar toward a potential NFL career. His 5-foot-8 stature certainly made him overlooked, but that didn’t stop the Bradenton, Fla. native from shining at the FCS level.
Samford finished in fourth place in the Southern Conference with a 6-5 record in 2018. McKnight is known for his speed and precise route running. McKnight shrugs at the “small-school” label, and maybe with good reason: look at his performances against the best teams on the schedule. Against Florida State in Week 2 of the 2018 season, McKnight had 14 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns in a 36-26 setback. McKnight also had 7 catches for 58 yards and a score against Georgia in the 2017 season.
The success of former North Carolina A&T star Tarik Cohen over the past two seasons in the NFL should send a message that some smaller playmakers from the FCS level are not to be ignored. McKnight could be the next.