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If you're keeping score at home, there's still plenty of high-ceiling running backs left that are still available. I guess those sorts of things tend to happen when we do 15 rounds of these. Drafting recruits is way more weird than you all think. But hey, we're two-thirds of the way finished with this bad boy, so let's see whose name got called this go-round.
118. Eastern Michigan Eagles
DE- Nathan Childress (Toledo signee). Rossford, OH (Rossford). 247Sports: 73 (0.7841)
Going defense with my third straight pick because, well, I'd be dumb not to at this point. Took care of linebacker, got more help with the secondary, but now I need more help up front. I told you before that I planned on giving Nick Dillon more help on the defensive interior, which I think I did with this pick.
Childress is a 6-foot-3 defensive end that's a high 2-star prospect out of high school, also offered by Akron and Ball State but ultimately stuck with his early commitment to Toledo once Signing Day rolled around. A lot of offensive linemen around the MAC seem to only be getting taller, otherwise I'd be saying his stature would be to a benefit. I do wonder if Childress could develop into a passing threat in Toledo's defense, which would help them out there. Not just getting to the quarterback from a 3-point stance, but I'd love to see a defensive end transform into a real short zone coverage threat, something that could be utilized in EMU's 3-4 system. Either way, yeah I'll take the guy that can get to the quarterback anyways. -Alex Alvarado
119. Kent State Golden Flashes
RB- Leonard Ross (Miami signee). La Grange, IL (Lyons Township). 247Sports: 78 (0.8028)
Ross is a pretty well-rounded running back who has some serious potential and could be a nice fit here at Kent State. Ross was selected to the All-State team in Illinois and accounted for a total of 1,457 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior at Lyons Township. With Trayion Durham entrenched at the running back spot this year, Ross can sit back and learn the offense for a year before ultimately competing for playing time in the 16-17 season. -Mike Karpinski
You really gotta check out Ross' highlights courtesy of Hudl:
120. Miami RedHawks
OT- Marques Grimes (Ohio signee). Southfield, MI (Southfield). 247Sports: 76 (0.7633)
Apparently I draft offensive linemen in spurts. Marques Grimes is the latest to joim the crew, as the 6'6", 319 lbs. Ohio commit is my selection.
A Southfield product, Grimes had only one offer, but he offers his team the potential for a gritty player that can support the run block with ferocity and stop the defense from making plays on the quarterback thanks to great anticipation on his part.
Having only started on varsity two years, Grimes is somewhat limited as a product; his having fallen here to the 10th round can be contribited to that, as well as to "okay" pass blocking and the fact that he will most lilely have to change position. But like the last three OL I picked up, Grimes has a mean streak. Sometimes, attitude can make all the difference. -James Jimenez
121. UMass Minutemen
ATH- Andy Isabella (UMass signee). Cleveland, OH (Mayfield). 247Sports: 84 (0.8400)
If speed kills then Andy Isabella is a stone cold killer. Having a recorded 40 time of 4.39 that is an impressive time for an NFL prospect let alone a high school recruit. His versatility is also something to be coveted. UMass has not had a speedy playmaker like a Dri Archer type which Isabella might be able to replicate given the right situation. I can see him being used in the slot or lined up in the backfield getting both carries and catching passes. He will probably end up in the WR position and needing speed Isabella is a perfect pick here. -Max Moore
Can Isabella be that extra instant playmaker that UMass needs? Check out his highlights courtesy of Hudl and decide for yourself:
122. Akron Zips
ATH- Anton Curtis (WMU signee). Detroit, MI (East English Village Prep). 247Sports: 78 (0.8124)
Akron didn't make enough plays last season, period. For this class, the focal point was to get as many playmakers as possible to try to grow into a more well-rounded team. Akron plans on using Curtis as an Athlete all over the field. His field vision could help him get on the field early, especially if he practices well enough.
Curtis was a 3-star ATH from Michigan, and committed to Coach Fleck and WMU over offers from Cincy, CMU, and Toledo. -Russ Johnson
123. Buffalo Bulls
OT- Roubbens Joseph (Buffalo signee). Springfield, MA (Hudson Valley CC). 247Sports: 72 (0.7200)
OK, *now* I'm done with the immediate impact guys. Roubbens Joseph is another JUCO transfer on the O-line, coming to Buffalo from Hudson Valley Community College. There's not much to say about him other than that he's older, more mature, and experienced. Once again, Buffalo needs to replace three starters on the O-line this year. With two JUCO linemen and a big-bodied freshman to throw in alongside rising backups, I think I've done enough to address that. It was really the only hole in the offense from last year. Guys like Joseph and sixth-round pick Joe Alexander help me maintain the experienced offense while also providing a bridge from a transitional Quinn-Leipold roster to one with all Leipold's people in a few years. -Matt Gritzmacher
124. Ball State Cardinals
LB- Brandon Harris (BGSU signee). Cleveland, OH (Shaw). 247Sports: 79 (0.8055)
Coach Lembo wants all the big receivers. In the Joey Lynch led offense there are plenty of catches to be had. Harris has good height at 6'3" and the options with this guy are limitless. He was also a track and field star in high school, and he was a linebacker who logged 15 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions en route to Defensive Player of the Year honors his senior year. -Keith Scheessele
125. Ohio Bobcats
DE- Theodore Eboigbe (Kent St. signee). Lithonia, GA (Arabia Mountain). 247Sports: 80 (07944)
Ohio needs some defensive line work (which is sad, considering it was just a few years ago that the team spent 1/3 of an entire signing class signing defensive lineman. Eboigbe is a solid strong-side DE with a nice frame and has a nose for the quarterback. -Sam Smucker
126. Central Michigan Chippewas
TE- Ryan Roberts (NIU signee). Northville, MI (Northville). 247Sports: 80 (0.7778)
Roberts might be considered a bit of a reach here, but he's one of the few prospects I had the opportunity to watch live this fall. The guy is an incredible physical presence on the football field, whether he's blocking in the run game or running passing routes. I especially like his blocking ability, and despite being the second TE the Chips have taken in the draft I think he compliments Daniel Crawford well. I don't forsee Roberts as a guy who will make a huge dent in the stat column, but I think he can see the field quickly as either a fullback or tight end. -Max Lowe
127. Western Michigan Broncos
RB- Davon Tucker (WMU signee). Somerdale, NJ (Sterling). 247Sports: 81 (0.8301)
How we've reached the tenth round with some big name running backs still around is actually really surprising to me, even with all of the defense talent that everybody had to prioritize.
There's no questioning Mike Hart's abilities to coach up the running backs. He did it well with EMU for a few years and everybody around the nation has probably heard of Jarvion Franklin at least once by now. Franklin will be the #1 back for the Broncos, but I've got to get some depth. I wasn't expecting to get a very dependable back in Tucker here, but I won't complain. -Alex Alvarado
See the weapon that PJ Fleck brought on board in these highlights courtesy of Hudl:
128. Toledo Rockets
RB- P.J. Simmons (Kent St. signee). Tallahassee, FL (Amos P. Godby). 247Sports: 84 (0.8392)
PJ Simmons is going to create a nasty 1-2 combination with the other RB we got in this class as well as the ones already on the roster. Simmons is an elite athlete, and coming from Godby HS in Tallahassee everyone knows he was coached well and his stats are further proof of that. Much quicker than he is fast (don't let the numbers tell the story) Simmons also is going to have the chance to play in the passing game as well.
Simmons was a 3-star recruit, and committed to Kent State over Offers from several Schools, most notably USF, Cincinnati, and UNC. He is expected to compete for playing time in the fall at Dix Stadium. -Russ Johnson
Is P.J. Simmons the sleeper pick of this draft? Check out his highlights courtety of Hudl:
129. Bowling Green Falcons
LB- Troy Dipre (Kent St. signee). Lakewood, OH (St. Edward). 247Sports: 76 (0.7914)
There is an old adage that says the best way to build a winning college football team is to recruit kids that have been winners. That certainly describes linebacker Troy Dipre. He has had his share of winning at one of the most successful programs in Ohio, St. Edward High School. Dipre and the Eagles captured the 2014 Ohio Division I (big school) state title.
Dipre is tackling machine having recorded 160 tackles last season, of which 20 were for a loss. Scout and Rivals had him rated a as three start recruit and Scout has him listed as the 56th best middle linebacker prospect in the country. Expect him to add some weight (6'1" 215 lbs.) to his frame as his college career progresses. -Randy Carpenter
Can Troy Dipre be a solid replacement for DJ Lynch or Gabe Martin? Here are his highlights courtesy of Hudl:
130. Northern Illinois Huskies
OG- Luke Juriga (WMU signee). Summit Argo, IL (Marmion Academy). 247Sports: 75 (0.7685)
In Round 10, I knew I needed to get an offensive lineman here. Luke Juriga just seemed too good to pass up. Juriga is the son of former NFL offensive lineman Jim Juriga so football runs in the Juriga family. Now we have Juriga to go along with Vince Hughes and the future of our offensive line is looking pretty bright. -Mike Karpinski
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Hey, look, running backs were taken! Leonard Ross, Andy Isabella, P.J. Simmons, Davon Tucker: all damn good picks for those schools.
Kent State and WMU both had three players from their classes be taken this round, to up their totals to 13 and 18 respectively. Ohio and Miami are still very close after both had one player taken this round, 15 and 14 have respectively been selected from their signing classes thus far. Northern Illinois and Toledo are still tied, both with 12. BGSU's total is now up to eight while Buffalo and UMass bump up to seven.
There's a few signing classes that haven't been getting much love recently. We haven't heard another name from the Ball State (6) and EMU (5) signing classes since the sixth round, and there's still just the one player in Ulysees Grant from Akron's signing class that was taken back in the fourth round but none since.
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