D2 Alumni Alex Cappa, Desmond Harrison Tear Up The NFL Combine

The NFL Combine has concluded its first day of workouts for the offensive linemen, running backs, and special teamers with many potential first, second, or third-rounders participating in running and positional drills.

But our focus today is on a pair of D2 Football alums who both happened to play left tackle with their respective college programs. Each in the first group of the offensive linemen, these two were finally getting to show NFL scouts and coaches that even buried in Division II, they were worthy of their draft stock as potential picks in the 2018 NFL Draft.

[divider]COMPARE:
NFL Players | NFL Teams
College Players | College Teams[divider]

Alec Cappa of Humboldt State and Desmond Harrison from West Georgia simply put, tore up the Combine and improved their draft stock to the point where each are potentially locked in to being picked somewhere on day two or three of the Draft in Dallas.

To see exactly how each of these behemoth linemen raised their grades and did in their drills, take a look below and check back for more coverage of the NFL Draft from the D2 Football side here at HERO Sports in the coming weeks.

[divider]

Alex Cappa, OL, Humboldt State

Measurements

Cappa's one negative from the Combine is that he will definitely be looked at as a guard prospect now given his short arms at 32 5/8 inches. Most teams in the NFL want their tackles to have 33 inch arms, and that is an unfortunate stereotype that the former HSU standout will be subjected to.

Positional Drills

The four-time GNAC Offensive Lineman of The Year is not the most fluid athlete, but he was able to show some good movement on the field in the position drills. Take a look at the video below of his shuffling drill and how he is able to move with his feet and keep his change of direction fairly clean.

Alex Cappa shuffling drill pic.twitter.com/PcFKC1zWyg

— Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) March 2, 2018

One drill he did have a tougher time in was the mirror drill, where lineman are placed against a fellow lineman who's job is to run back and forth and force the down lineman to "mirror" their movements as though they are blocking them. Cappa repeatedly got off of his lines and stepped forward across the line at one point. But again, he is not the best athlete so once he is in pads, we will see if these drills really matter.

Interviews / Potential Interest

Another key part of the NFL Combine are the interviews with teams in a "speed dating" format. While most interviews weren't really going on yesterday, we do have some confirmation on one team that has shown interest in the potential day two selection.

The only informal interview to leak out thus far is from the New York Giants, a team clearly in need of line help to protect Eli Manning and potentially Saquon Barkley or another running back they draft/sign.

Draft Stock: Up

Cappa did nothing but help his stock during the Combine with his combination of tests. While a shift to guard may shift him around some teams' boards, it is safe to say that at this juncture, he is a lock to be picked.

As Mike Mayock of the NFL Network said during the telecast, "he just throws guys out of the club… The nastiest tape of an o-lineman I've ever seen." Those are high compliments from arguably the best draft guru currently going.

Those high compliments should soon rub off on teams, and see the former Lumberjack become the first player from HSU to be selected in the draft since 1990.

[divider]

Desmond Harrison, OL, West Georgia

Measurements

Unlike the previously mentioned Cappa, Harrison fits the bill of a tackle in the NFL with long arms, great height, and large hands. The only issue might be his weight, which he needs to continue adding on to if he is to be an immovable force at the next level. He is off to a good start though, jumping 13 pounds since the Senior Bowl after he sat out with the Flu.

Positional Drills

Harrison did not take part in any of the measurement drills except the 40-yard dash, and that may have been all he needed to catch the eyes of scouts. His 4.90 official time is the second-fastest of all lineman, and the only one who beat him was a former tight end (Brian O'Neill, Pitt). 

Take a look at his shuffling drill and kick slide technique in the videos below. In both, he shows just how elite his feet are, as well as the tremendous athleticism that will make him worthy of a draft pick likely on day three.

Desmond Harrison making himself some money today pic.twitter.com/Tbbv81vNcl

— #BridgewaterCook2018 (@JoshMenschNFL) March 2, 2018

LOL. Desmond Harrison's kick slide is so quick. He beats the running defender to the spot. Whew pic.twitter.com/5WiE6STdMV

— Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) March 2, 2018

Interviews / Potential Interest

Harrison has not had any interviews revealed as of this writing, but he was the subject of an article at NFL.com subjecting where the combine stud may end up. Chase Goodbread of NFL Media relayed that draft analyst Chad Reuter – also of the NFL – believes the Broncos, Chargers, Jets, and Seahawks would be the best fits for the former West Georgia standout.

Of those teams, each of them are considered to be good organizations that could handle the potential red flags that come up in the character background for the one-time Texas Longhorn.

Draft Stock: Way Up

All the athleticism in the world still can't answer the biggest question of Harrison's potential draft status: character concerns. Kicked off the Texas team and going to three different high schools, this elite athletic talent must clear all concerns of his off-field shenanigans for teams to invest the next few years into him.

But the traits we saw on the field today in Indianapolis are definitely going to get him interviews with teams and force them to do their due diligence on background checks. Athletic tackles such as Harrison do not come around often, and it takes just one team to fall in love with him.

[divider]

NEXT: West Georgia Offensive Tackle Desmond Harrison Crushes 40-Yard Dash