Horseshoe Huddle

20 Small School Players To Watch in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Colts love to select small school players in the NFL Draft. Which ones could interest Indy in the 2023 draft class?

Zach Hicks

The 2023 NFL Draft is right around the corner and all the attention is on what the Indianapolis Colts are going to do about quarterback. While that is still the main talking point, there are other picks to be made in this draft.

Colts' General Manager Chris Ballard has made 53 draft selections in the five drafts in Indy (2017-2022). Of those 53 selections, eight of them have been used on players that played college football at the FCS level or lower. Some of the notable names on that list include Grover Stewart, Shaquille Leonard, Rodney Thomas II, and EJ Speed.

The Colts like to look at the small schools during the draft process, particularly for day three picks and PUDFA signings. A majority of the Colts' best undrafted free agent signings have come from small schools-- most notably players such as Ashton Dulin (Malone), George Odum (Central Arkansas), and Dallis Flowers (Pittsburgh State).

Since we know the value of small school players to the Colts in the draft process, lets take a look at 20(!) small schoolers in this draft that could interest the team:

© Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

1.) Cody Mauch, IOL, North Dakota State

Cody Mauch is one of the best overall fits in the entire draft class for the Indianapolis Colts. He is a former walk on that consistently earned his praise in his college career. He transitioned from tight end to offensive tackle early in his career, and now leaves North Dakota State as a four-time National Champion and the FCS Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2022.

Mauch is an athletic mauler that would be able to start from day one at right guard for the Indianapolis Colts. I'm told that the Colts are sky high on Mauch's game and that he is certainly in play at pick 35 (if they keep that pick).

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2.) Marte Mapu, LB, Sacramento State

Marte Mapu may be the most versatile player in this entire draft class. He changed positions three times over the course of his college career, and even that couldn't stop him from being an All-Conference performer. He has seen time at linebacker, nickel corner, and safety in his college career.

Mapu is a player that reminds me a lot of E.J Speed as a prospect. He is a super athletic player that has the potential to be an elite special teamer in the NFL.

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3.) Devonnsha Maxwell, DT, Chattanooga

Devonnsha Maxwell leaves college as one of the most productive pass rushers in Chattanooga history. His 37.5 career sack total is not only a school record, but also a conference record. He is a powerful pass rusher with a good amount of moves in his rushing arsenal.

Maxwell is the type of athlete/player that a team takes a chance on with a day three pick in the draft. The Colts have had a Top 30 visit with Maxwell and are reportedly "showing a lot of love" for the experienced rusher.

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4.) Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton

Andreie Iosivas is the classic Height/Weight/Speed demon that Chris Ballard covets in the NFL Draft. Iosivas ran a blazing 4.43 forty yard dash despite being a bigger player (6'3" 205 pounds). He is also one of the more productive players in this upcoming draft class, hauling in 124 passes for 1,896 yards and 16 touchdowns in his college career.

Iosivas checks off every Chris Ballard box in this upcoming draft. It wouldn't shock me in the slightest to see the Colts spend an early day three pick on this talented receiver.

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5.) McClendon Curtis, IOL, Chattanooga

McClendon Curtis may not be the greatest athlete in this class, but he more than makes up for it with his size and length. Curtis has seen nearly 2,000 snaps in his collegiate career, seeing time at virtually all five offensive line positions. He is a savvy veteran that understands how to get the job done no matter what his assignment is.

Curtis is a player to watch on day three for NFL teams. It's rare to find a lineman with his wingspan (35 inch arms) and power that late in the draft.

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6.) B.J Thompson, EDGE, S.F Austin

A former Baylor pass rusher, B.J Thompson transferred to S.F Austin for more playing time in 2020. The move paid immediate dividends for Thompson, as he was able to accumulate 20 sacks and nearly 60 hurries over his three seasons with the team.

Thompson is one of the more athletically gifted edge rushers in this entire draft class (4.6 forty time and 37.5 inch vertical jump). The team that drafts him will be getting a versatile player that can rush the passer at a high level.

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7.) Isaiah Land, LB, Florida A&M

Isaiah Land leaves college football as one of the more productive overall pass rushers in years. Land had a monstrous career at Florida A&M, notching 29 career sacks in three seasons of playing time. This production reached its peak in 2021, when he led all of college football with 19(!) sacks on the season.

Land is a bit of a tweener that may have to play some off-ball in the NFL, but he has the tenacity and the athleticism to make it in the NFL.

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8.) Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson State

The former Florida State cornerback is one of the more athletically gifted players in this entire draft. Isaiah Bolden transferred down to Jackson State in 2021, where he was able to star as a versatile defender over the last two seasons of his collegiate career. He then wowed scouts with an insane 4.33 forty yard dash and 38 inch vertical at his pro day.

Bolden is a lengthy and athletic cornerback prospect that could be a major steal late on day three of the draft.

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9.) Joey Fisher, IOL, Shepherd

Joey Fisher has one of the more impressive stories in college football, as the Maryland native ended up as a multi-year starter for Shepherd University. He played offensive tackle in college, but his best fit (according to scouts) may be on the interior. Fisher attended the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl and impressed scouts with his ability to move across the offensive line.

Fisher is a tough and athletic offensive lineman that has what it takes to make an NFL team.

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10.) Colton Dowell, WR, Tennessee-Martin

Colton Dowell may be the most underrated prospect in this draft class. He had a phenomenal 2022 season as a senior, totaling 67 receptions for 1,036 yards and six touchdowns on the year. He followed that up with an even more impressive pro day, as the 6'3" 215 pound receiver ran a 4.42 forty yard dash and jumped 41.5 inches on the vertical.

Dowell feels like a player that slips to undrafted territory but continually makes an NFL team for years.

Other Notable Names to Watch

11.) Cade Pugh, Safety, Harding

12.) Liam Anderson, LB, Holy Cross

13.) TJ Luther, WR, Gardner-Webb

14.) Logan Brolin, WR, Ashland

15.) Jake Witt, OT, Northern Michigan

16.) Tyson Bagent, QB, Shepherd

17.) Aubrey Miller Jr, LB, Jackson State

18.) Michael Ayers, LB, Ashland

19.) Sy Barnett, WR, Davenport

20.) Cody Chrest, WR, Sam Houston State

Learn more about these players and so much more by pre-ordering the Indy Draft Guide!

The most comprehensive Colts draft coverage you can find anywhere released April 10th, 2023.

Pre-order now!

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Zach Hicks
ZACH HICKS

Zach Hicks is the Lead Analyst for HorseshoeHuddle.com. Zach has been on the NFL beat since 2017. His works have appeared on SBNation.com, the Locked On Podcast Network, BleacherReport.com, MSN.com, & Yardbarker.com. 

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