FCS: The CAA’s Top 2021 NFL Prospects

In this most unusual upcoming draft year, nothing is for certain. Thanks to COVID-19 and a ruling by the NCAA, players could play in the spring and even opt to come back for another season (fall 2021), even though they’re actually in this current draft class. Nobody’s eligibility will be affected by this pandemic year.

So, our Top Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) prospect chart — in which we consult our subscription to DraftScout.com‘s database — could change quite a bit by the time the 2021 NFL Draft rolls around. But we are ranking a player based on his “class” as it stands now, along with any underclassmen who have expressed their desire to take an early shot at the draft.

You’ll notice a common theme with this FCS batch of hard-working CAA 2021-eligible prospects — they make for a versatile bunch, able to impress at more than one position.

RELATED: FCS’ Top 2021 NFL Prospects

EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the players listed below have entered the transfer portal, but unless they’ve already selected their next school, they’re listed with the FCS school they played for in 2019.

THE RANKING

NO. 1: Liam Fornadel, OG, James Madison

PROJECTED ROUND: 7th to HPFA

DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 305

THE SCOOP: A gritty, versatile offensive lineman, Fornadel has proven throughout his career he can play several places on the line. He has been a rock in the Dukes’ wall up front going back to his freshman season of 2017, when he saw considerable time in the national title game against North Dakota State. While the 2020 season was slated to be Fornadel’s final run with the Dukes (prior to COVID-19), he has expressed interest in being a part of this spring’s season for JMU, and he could also opt to come back in the fall. So while he may be the No. 1 2021 eligible guy in the CAA right now … you may have to wait a bit longer for him.

NO. 2: Liam Dobson, OG, Maine

PROJECTED ROUND: 7th to HPFA

DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 479

THE SCOOP: Dobson entered the transfer portal on Dec. 17. It has only been a week, but he has already landed scholarship offers from multiple Group of Five FBS programs, and some scouts have said he may improve his stock to a day three type of guy if things go well with his next move. For now he stays with the CAA and Maine in the rankings, since this is where he proved himself first, but soon he will be an FBS prospect.

NO. 3: T.J. Morrison, CB, Stony Brook

PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA

DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 676

THE SCOOP: Morrison has played three seasons for the Seawolves at cornerback, making 97 career tackles, but along with several of his CAA brethren, he plans to help his team in his final year by contributing at another position–free safety. So he will also get a chance to show NFL scouts his versatility. Stony Brook has good depth at cornerback but needed help at FS, thus the change. He’ll get a chance to display his leadership skills, also. So obviously he’s not planning on this spring for the draft cycle either, even though he graduated this month. He’s eligible, but he’ll get another cycle to improve his stock, as well as enjoy his college teammates one more time.

NO. 4: Mike Greene, DT, James Madison

PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA

DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 695

THE SCOOP: Greene will get a chance this spring to show his ability to be versatile on the D-line, as he’ll get the opportunity to play where current NFL player Ron’Dell Carter played in 2019. Yes, Greene is expected to play this spring for James Madison, just like Fornadel — even though both are 2021 guys. Thus the way it is in the year of COVID-19. So it doesn’t look like Greene will be available to NFL teams this spring, and like everybody who went through this 2020-21 cloud, he could also come back next fall and then be ready for the 2022 draft cycle.

NO. 5: Jaquan Amos, CB, Villanova

PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA

DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 701

THE SCOOP: Amos has grown while in college, adding to the intrigue. He’s a confirmed 6-foot-1 and has posted 148 tackles and broken up 17 passes in his career, and he can hit. He’s a tough-nosed, defensive stud on a defense that is known for exactly that. Look for him to improve things this upcoming year, also.

NOTE- HPFA = High Priority Free Agent, which means they may not be projected to be drafted at this time in the cycle, but they’ll likely be signed within a few hours of the draft’s conclusion.

THE NEXT GROUP