Top college level isn’t the only source for NFL talent in Virginia

Ten players from Virginia schools were selected in the 2009 NFL draft. Only half were Hoos or Hokies.

From colleges other than Virginia and Virginia Tech, the NFL's 256-player harvest included: a third-rounder from William and Mary (CB Derek Cox); a fourth-rounder from the University of Richmond (DE Lawrence Sidbury); a fourth-rounder from Saint Paul's (CB Greg Toler); a sixth-rounder from Norfolk State (CB Don Carey); and a seventh-rounder from Liberty (RB Rashad Jennings).

To University of Richmond coach Mike London, the breakdown reinforces his belief that "It's not just about going to a [Football Bowl Subdivision] school. If you find a school that meets your expectations academically and athletically, then go for it."

London, a former assistant coach at Virginia and for the Houston Texans, added: "The NFL scouts will find you anywhere."

Of the 256 NFL draft choices, 21 came from non-FBS schools. Nearly 24 percent of those 21 were at Virginia schools.

Jennings played three seasons for the Flames, though he initially signed with the University of Pittsburgh and played one season there before transferring for family reasons. The other four non-FBS signees from Virginia arrived at their schools as freshmen and gradually developed into NFL prospects.

Regardless of the college's competitive classification, "If you see talent, you see talent," said Tampa Bay Buccaneers' scout Tom Throckmorton, a former assistant coach at several FBS and FCS schools.

Cornerback Macho Harris was a Parade All-American as a Highland Springs High star, was viewed as the top prep prospect in the state, and at Virginia Tech twice was named first-team all-ACC. Yet two cornerbacks from the state -- W&M's Cox and Saint Paul's Toler -- were selected in the draft before Harris went to Philadelphia in the fifth round.

According to Throckmorton, a Richmond native who spent the past seven years as a member of the Houston Texans' scouting department, players from FBS schools start with an advantage. "A guy who lines up against Big Ten receivers, or Southeastern Conference receivers, has obviously seen better competition than a kid who has seen one really good receiver a year," said Throckmorton, a Randolph-Macon graduate.

But players from non-FBS schools can make marks in "the process," the scouts' evaluation period that begins following the season and runs through draft day. During that stretch, players participate in late-January showcases such as the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl, sometimes are involved in February's NFL combine, and are worked out by scouts who visit pro days at schools through April.

UR's Sidbury, for instance, turned in the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.64 seconds) of any defensive lineman at the combine, stood out in practices that preceded the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl, and also was impressive in front of 30 NFL scouts at UR's pro day on March 19.

"Hey, the clock doesn't lie," London said. "Going against that competition at the all-star games, that doesn't lie."

It was no coincidence that three of the five state players selected from non-FBS schools are cornerbacks. That position, left offensive tackle and quarterback are the three most difficult NFL slots to fill, Throckmorton said.

"These [CBs drafted] are at a position where it's important that they tested well, ran well. It's just hard to find those guys, no matter what level they play on," Throckmorton said. "If they show ability that they possibly have a chance [in the NFL], I think somebody is going to give them that opportunity."

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233