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2024 Colts Draft: Small School Spotlight
Chris Ballard loves small school prospects, and some of these players could end up on the Indianapolis Colts this year.
The Indianapolis Colts have always paid close attention to small school prospects in the NFL draft. General Manager Chris Ballard has spent roughly 14% of his draft picks with the team on players below the FBS level, with some notable hits being Shaquille Leonard, E.J Speed, Grover Stewart, and Rodney Thomas II.
Ballard has always placed a priority on discovering players at the lower levels, and he averages around one small school draft selection per season (to go along with several UDFA signings). Last year, I attempted to identify that player and ultimately ended up hitting on Jake Witt (2023 seventh round pick) but missing on Titus Leo (2023 sixth round pick).
The search continues yet again this year for the Ballard small school draft selections, as I have another 20 names to keep an eye on come draft day for the Colts.
1. Jalyx Hunt, DE, Houston Christian
The clear favorite this offseason to be the Chris Ballard small school selection is Houston Christian’s Jalyx Hunt. Hunt is a defensive end prospect that had a strong offseason worth of work. He attended the Reese’s Senior Bowl and then turned out an impressive pre-draft workout with strong explosive scores (to go along with elite length as well). Athletically, he passes every bar the Colts set at the edge rusher position.
Another important note when it comes to small schoolers is that Ballard values players that change positions at the college level. Five of his last six small school draft picks played multiple positions in college, with Mike Strachan being the lone exception to that rule. Hunt originally played safety at Cornell University before transitioning to edge/linebacker at Houston Christian to close out his career.
2. Brian Abraham, LB, Albany
Abraham is another player that just screams Ballard surprise draft pick. He has flown a tad under the radar this offseason, but his background and his testing are exactly what the Colts look for in prospects. Abraham tested like a typical Ballard linebacker this offseason, coming in with 33 5/8th inch arms and jumping 131 inches in the broad jump. The explosive off-ball linebacker also spent time as edge rusher this past season.
Abraham has some refinement left in his game but that may be due to a late position change in college. Like Hunt, Abraham was a cornerback at Yale University early in his career before transitioning close to the line of scrimmage at Albany.
3. Ryan Flournoy, WR, Southeast Missouri State
Flournoy has been a Ballard darling all offseason in my eyes, so it’s simply a formality to place him high on this list. Flournoy has excelled this offseason in the pre-draft circuit, shining at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and testing fantastically at the NFL Combine. At 6’0” 202 pounds, Flournoy posted an impressive 4.44 forty yard dash to go along with a 132 inch broad jump at the Combine. He also posted some of the biggest hands at the event for a receiver (over 10 inches).
Flournoy’s offseason along with his back to back seasons as the main target in his college offense (along with two years as a team captain) makes him a prime candidate for the Colts in this upcoming draft.
4. Lorenzo Thompson, IOL, Rhode Island
This may be another new name for those of you reading along. Thompson has struggled to get draft buzz this offseason, but teams really like him in that round 5-7 range of this draft. He is a nasty finisher with some really fun flashes on tape. At 6’6” 300 pounds, Thompson ran a 5.02 second forty time to go along with strong explosive scores. He spent most of college career at left tackle, but he could project a tad better inside as a guard at the next level.
Thompson’s demeanor and his four seasons of starting experience are bound to make the Colts’ fans of his game this draft season.
5. Cole Burgess, WR, Cortland State
A late riser in the pre-draft process, Burgess has absolutely elite traits to go along with top tier production at a lower level. The Colts have been known to take shots on players like that in the past, especially at the receiver position (Strachan, Dulin). He posted an elite 41.5 inch vertical jump and a 137 inch broad jump at his pro day this offseason. On the field, he totaled over 2,000 yards the past two seasons to go along with multiple kick-off return touchdowns (and a D-III Championship in 2023).
Burgess checks off every single box the Colts value in small school prospects in this draft class.
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6. Isaiah Stalbird, S, South Dakota State
Stalbird is another name that has flown under the radar a bit this draft season, but his profile is eerily similar to Rodney Thomas II’s as a prospect. A former Nebraska safety, Stalbird transferred to South Dakota State early in his college career. He moved around from nickel to safety and eventually ended up at linebacker. He hit his groove late in his career, becoming a top starter on the two-time champion Jackrabbits.
Stalbird’s athletic testing looks like a prototypical Ballard safety and he has the special teams upside to be a day one contributor for the team.
7. Willie Drew, CB, Virginia State
The small school cornerback that stands out the most this year is Virginia State’s Willie Drew. A former track star and quarterback in high school, Drew began his career at James Madison. He suffered a major knee injury in 2019, which led to his transfer down to Virginia State for a second chance. He made the most of that chance the past two seasons, hauling in 11 interceptions combined over that span.
Drew’s length, speed, and versatility (played some safety and nickel at Virginia State) are very intriguing in a late round cornerback prospect this draft season.
8. Mike Jerrell, IOL, Findlay
Jerrell is a later round prospect that checks a lot of boxes for the Colts this draft season. An Indianapolis native, Jerrell was a star basketball player for Marion County, winning two championships in high school. He finally saw action late in the 2020 season for Findlay and held down the team’s right tackle spot for his final three seasons. He tested out of this world this offseason, posting a 4.94 forty yard dash and a 32.5 inch vertical jump.
The Indy native also attended the Colts’ local pro day this offseason, so the team did get a first-hand look at the athletic offensive lineman this offseason.
9. Mason Tipton, WR, Yale
One of the biggest pre-draft testers this offseason has been Yale’s Mason Tipton. Standing at 5’9” 179 pounds, Tipton ran a blazing 4.33 forty yard dash to go along with a 37 inch vertical jump and a 125 inch broad jump. Tipton’s explosion and speed stand out on film and they were a big reason why he led the Ivy League in receiving touchdowns this past season.
Tipton’s big play athletic ability appears to be exactly what the Colts have been looking for this offseason.
10. Jake Kubas, IOL, North Dakota State
Yet another interior offensive lineman to watch in this draft is North Dakota State’s Jake Kubas. Kubas is a multi-year starter for one of the best programs in the sport, and his 2,600 career snaps are nothing to scoff at. Kubas is a fantastic athlete that would thrive in the Colts’ zone based scheme with a little bit more strength added to his frame.
The Colts could look at a player like Kubas on day three as a versatile center/guard interior depth player for next season.
11. Giovanni Manu, OT, British Columbia
Massive offensive tackle prospect that has drawn a ton of interest from NFL teams. He fits the Colts’ typical raw mold at the position.
12. Griffin McDowell, IOL, Chattanooga
Another standout athletic tester this offseason. Also overlapped with Anthony Richardson at Florida for a few years as well.
13. Justin Blazek, EDGE, Wisconsin-Platteville
Athletic and productive small school edge rusher that could be worth developing in this draft class. Looks bendy and strong on film too.
14. Mason McCormick, IOL, South Dakota State
Long time starter for a dominant South Dakota State team. He also had a fantastic Shrine Bowl game to go along with an historic testing performance at the NFL Combine.
15. John Huggins, S, Jackson State
Big and athletic safety prospect that spent time at Florida, Garden City Community College, and Jackson State in his college career.
16. Daniel Abraham, LB, Villanova
Former wide receiver and safety that found a home at linebacker late in his college career. Powerful player with insane athleticism on film.
17. Jalen Coker, WR, Holy Cross
Explosive small school standout that excels over the middle of the field. Can win those 50/50 balls with ease on the outside.
18. C.J. Hanson, IOL, Holy Cross
Athletic mover that spent time at offensive tackle in college. Shines on pulls and has light feet to maneuver around to the outside.
19. Mikey Victor, CB, Alabama State
Massive cornerback that was a lockdown player this past season. Forty yard dash time is concerning but every other measurable is a major plus.
20. John Jiles, WR, West Florida
Big, fast receiver that appears to be hitting his stride as a player after a tough run early in his career. Insanely productive final season of college play at West Florida.
Learn more about these players and many, many more by ordering the Indy Draft Guide!
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