There's no downside to more tape.
This has been one of my major talking points when I speak with potential draft prospects who may not start their professional careers in the NFL. While it may seem obvious to some, many players don't always see it that way for a variety of reasons.
One guy who did, and does, is QB D'Angelo Fulford of the Hamburg Sea Devils in the European Football League. I first met Fulford in January 2020 at the College Gridiron Showcase postseason all-star game in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a record-breaking star QB from Division III power Mount Union, and he used that all-star week to showcase his skills and the ability to level up vs. Power 5 and FCS competition.
Well, we all know what ended up happening a month or so later in 2020... the Covid-19 pandemic. That changed everything in the world and for a lot of the potential pro prospects that year.
For Fulford, it was just the beginning of his winding road of a football journey that has taken him from Alliance, Ohio, to Hamburg, Germany.
QB D'Angelo Fulford
- Height: 6-foot-0
- Weight: 215 pounds
- Age: 26
Fulford has the type of game that's tailor-made for today's game. Watching his game evolve from Mount Union to the ELF has been great to see. What you can't see on film is the leadership and will to win. Having been battle-tested by the rigors of playing at a high level successful program like Mount Union and then by the process after college, Fulford was more than ready to take on the challenge of playing for the Sea Devils this season.
College Football Week 3
RB Keaundre McCullough
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Weight: 195 pounds
- College: William Jewell
- Next game: Kentucky Wesleyan (Sept. 14)
Two weeks ago vs. Fort Lewis, McCullough ran for 402 yards and five touchdowns. Yes, you read that right: 402 yards on the ground! His first carry of the game was a 67-yard scamper off left end and was a sign of more things to come. He's a compactly built runner who has the vision and footwork to seamlessly flow with the blocking assignment of the play. Now that he's burst onto the scene with a massive opening game, I'll be keeping close tabs on the Belzoni, Mississippi, native the rest of the way. This is how you stand out as a small-college prospect; this is the type of performance you need to have on film.
WR Noah Coyne
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 225 pounds
- College: Case Western Reserve
- Next game: Bethany (WV) (Sept. 14)
Last season, Coyne popped up on my radar as a Division III receiver prospect to watch for the 2025 NFL Draft. I'm so glad he decided to stay at Case Western with legendary coach Greg Debeljak as opposed to transferring to another program. Coyne has those George Pickens-like arrogant hands that I absolutely love at the position. It does not matter if he's double-covered or in tight man coverage -- he'll find a way to come down with the football. Projecting him forward, I can see a role for him as a bigger, inside wideout. He does a great job of using his frame to shield the defender away from the ball and isn't afraid of contact.
WR Preston Smith
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 215 pounds
- College: Davenport
- Next game: Bowie State (Sept. 14)
Davenport has an outstanding coach in Sparky McEwen, who has turned this program around by bringing in great talents like Preston Smith. The 6-foot-4 wideout has very good athleticism and versatility for the position, showing the ability to play both inside and outside. He's more quick than fast, which definitely shows up in his release off the line of scrimmage. Smith is able to win consistently off the snap, smoothly get into his stem and is able to quickly snap out of the break to create separation. To me, the releases are secondary to his ability to catch with his hands. Inside the red zone he's an excellent jump ball target, with very strong hands at the catch point.
DE Maven Kretche
- Height: 6-foot-5
- Weight: 260 pounds
- College: Minnesota State
- Next game: Wayne State (NE) (Sept. 14)
I've always been a fan of the product the Mavericks put out there on the field, as they play a great brand of football that translates. Along the line of scrimmage they have an excellent defensive end prospect in Maven Kretche. Instantly what stands out when you watch his pass rush is how quick and concise his hands are, combined with the tight track he takes to the QB. Kretche doesn't run himself out of plays like some overaggressive edge rushers tend to do. There's always a plan with his rush. He's got really good point-of-attack strength to anchor versus the run and the hands to read, disengage and make the play.