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Idaho – Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
Hometown: Riggins, Idaho
[credit]Boise State Athletics[/credit]
Leighton Vander Esch was an unrated walk-on with zero offers when he arrived at Boise State four years ago from the tiny and remote mountain town of Riggins, Idaho.
After redshirting in 2014, appearing in 12 games in 2015 and missing all but six games in 2016, Vander Esch exploded last year with 129 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and three interceptions. He left a year early and is now a fringe first-round prospect.
COMPARE: Leighton Vander Esch to Any Draft Prospect
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Illinois – Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
[credit]Ohio State Athletics[/credit]
A former four-star prospect from Chicago, Jamarco Jones graduated from Ohio State after appearing in 50 games (27 consecutive starts) and twice earning all-conference honors.
The third-ranked Illinois recruit in 2014, Jones is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive tackle with an early-day-three grade.
COMPARE: Jamarco Jones to Any Draft Prospect
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Indiana – Jessie Bates III, CB, Wake Forest
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Ind.
[credit]Wake Forest Athletics[/credit]
Jessie Bates' rise from a little-known three-star safety to day-two NFL Draft prospect is remarkable.
The 25th-ranked player in Indiana's 2015 class, Bates redshirted at Wake Forest in 2015 and has been a stud since, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2016 and registering 177 tackles and six interceptions the last two years.
COMPARE: Jessie Bates to Any Draft Prospect
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Iowa – Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
Hometown: Decorah, Iowa
[credit]Iowa Athletics[/credit]
Josey Jewell accepted his lone FBS offer as a two-star recruit from Decorah in 2013.
The 10th-ranked player in the state and 2,332nd-ranked player in the country was a First-Team All-American last year after leading the Big Ten in tackles (136). Jewell is a potential day-two pick.
COMPARE: Josey Jewell to Any Draft Prospect
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Kansas – Braden Smith, OT, Auburn
Hometown: Olathe, Kan.
[credit]Auburn Athletics[/credit]
Braden Smith was the third-ranked guard in the country and top-ranked Kansas recruit when he picked Auburn in February 2014.
The 6-foot-6, 303-pounder made 41 consecutive starts over four years who's fighting for a second- or third-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.
COMPARE: Braden Smith to Any Draft Prospect