The East-West Shrine Game officially kicks off the 2018 Draft season for the NFL, with the first look at selected athletes from across different levels of play that could be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft in just under 100 days time.
[divider]COMPARE: D2 Players | D2 Teams[divider]
While most of the names fans and scouts will find are from upper-echelon D1 schools, a handful of D2 Football prospects are also making the trip to St. Petersburg to play in the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field.
Take a look at the prospects to keep an eye on from D2 below, and continue to follow along at HERO Sports for all of your pre-draft info at all levels.
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Oxley: NFL Mock Draft 3.0 (1/16/18)
McLaughlin: Top FCS Draft Prospects
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East Roster
Marcus Martin, DE, Slippery Rock
Though no one is a lock to be selected in the NFL Draft outside of the first couple of rounds, Martin is as close to the feat as you can be for D2 prospects. The all-time leader in sacks in NCAA history regardless of level (56.0), the West Mifflin, PA native is looking to show he can adjust to the speed and size of D1 and NFL talent while in Florida.
A possible quirk that I did not see coming is that Martin is also getting work as a fullback with the offense. At 6-foot-1, 250 pounds the move makes sense, and Martin did play tight end in high school. If the move can catch the eye of a team in need of an extra blocker and possible receiver, then that makes the likelihood of Martin being drafted even higher.
COMPARE: Marcus Martin vs. Any Player
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Damon Gibson, TE, Minnesota State-Moorhead
A big bodied receiver, Gibson was one of the early targets that I projected to get looks from the NFL after the 2017 Draft. With a down year — due in large part to injury — in terms of yards but more catches, Gibson has shown consistency across four years at Moorhead with his peak at 94 catches and 1,459 yards in 2016.
While being 6-3 at tight end may not jump off the charts, his ability to act as a receiver — similar to that of Evan Engram of the NY Giants — could attract a team to take a late-round flyer on the former Dragon standout.
COMPARE: Damon Gibson vs. Any Player
