In this most unusual upcoming draft year, nothing is for certain. Thanks to COVID-19 and a ruling by the NCAA, players can 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 Big Sky Conference 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.
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: Christian Elliss, OLB, Idaho
PROJECTED ROUND: 7th-HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 319
THE SCOOP: Elliss’ older brother, Kaden, played linebacker for Idaho. After a standout Pro Day, Kaden saw his NFL stock rise and he was drafted in the seventh round in 2019 by New Orleans, where he is still on the roster. Christian has already caught the eye of scouts. At 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds, Elliss started at middle linebacker in 2018 and then outside linebacker in 2019, combining for 185 total tackles. He has the ability to play behind the line of scrimmage and on the line of scrimmage as an EDGE, totaling 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2019.
No. 2: Jace Lewis, ILB, Montana
PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 432
THE SCOOP: Lewis is set to be the next Montana middle linebacker to have a monstrous season. The 2020 Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year is 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds. In 2019, Lewis totaled 131 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Lewis may not have the measurables to be a starting linebacker in the NFL, but one big thing in his favor is his ability to make a difference on special teams. Lewis was named a 2018 HERO Sports Sophomore All-American as a special teams standout.
No. 3: Samori Toure, WR, Montana
PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 433
THE SCOOP: Toure is currently in the transfer portal looking to play his last season in the FBS. But we’ll keep him on this list for now, as he always has the option to declare for the draft. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder had a breakout year in 2019. He finished with 87 catches for 1,495 yards and 13 touchdowns. Toure broke Randy Moss’ 1996 FCS playoff record for receiving yards in a game with 303 against Southeastern Louisiana.
No. 4: Emmanuel Daigbe, WR, Portland State
PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 719
THE SCOOP: Daigbe is electric with the ball in his hands and could see his NFL projection rise when pro scouts see his raw athleticism. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder had 40 receptions for 651 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. He was named a Third Team All-Big Sky wide receiver and was on the First Team for special teams. Daigbe had eight kick returns for 156 yards.
No. 5: Elijah Dotson, RB, Sacramento State
PROJECTED ROUND: HPFA
DRAFTSCOUT TOP 750: No. 744
THE SCOOP: Dotson has the versatility that NFL teams love. He can return kicks, catch the ball and is a tough running back to bring down at 6-foot and 185 pounds. In his Sac State career, Dotson has 2,371 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns, 1,001 yards receiving and six TDs, and 403 kick return yards.
NOTE – HPFA = High Priority Free Agent, which means they may not be projected as a draft pick at this time in the cycle, but they’ll likely be signed within a few hours of the draft’s conclusion.
THE NEXT GROUP
| NAME | POS | FCS SCHOOL | Pos. Rank |
| Clay Moss | FB | Weber State | 23 |
| Lewis Kidd | OT | Montana State | 67 |
| Jared Schiess | DT | Weber State | 68 |
| Amandre Williams | OLB | Montana State | 78 |
| Samuel Akem | WR | Montana | 117 |
