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2021 NFL Draft: Best Prospect from each Group of Five Conference

By John Scimeca

TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Zaven Collins #23 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane runs in a touchdown after intercepting a pass thrown by Noah Johnson #0 of the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on October 23, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Zaven Collins #23 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane runs in a touchdown after intercepting a pass thrown by Noah Johnson #0 of the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on October 23, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins is the best NFL prospect this year from the AAC. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins is the best NFL prospect this year from the AAC. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Playing in a major program isn’t the only way to reach the pros — here are the top 2021 NFL draft prospects from each of the Group of Five conferences.

While Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State will have their fair share of stars go in the 2021 NFL Draft, there are plenty of talented players from the non-power conference teams who will hear their names called.

There’s already an established pipeline for the lesser-known FBS program stars to the NFL. Look no further than the 2020 NFL All-Pro lineups, which included some of the game’s best players who did not attend a power conference school.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce (both from Cincinnati), 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (BYU), Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (South Carolina State), and Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (Utah State) are just a few of this year’s All-Pro players who came from Group of Five or FCS schools.

True, a majority of the headline-grabbing picks in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft will come from the elite schools of college football, especially those who routinely make the College Football Playoff. But look out for NFL teams to select these Group of Five players on the first couple of days.

Here are the best 2021 NFL draft prospects from each of the FBS Group of Five conferences:

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