More in the continuing series of previews on NFL Draft prospects from schools in Division I-FCS and below…from Fantasy College Blitz’s “Minister of the Non-BCS”, Daniel Freer.

Throughout the history of the National Football League, many of the top QBs played their college football at the prime-time, big-time, football powers.

However, quite a few of the all-time top NFL QBs have played at the lesser-known smaller schools…or schools that were, at the time, not a major football program.

Four-time Super Bowl winning Pittsburgh Steelers  QB Terry Bradshaw honed his skills at Louisiana Tech, then a Division II school.  Legendary Baltimore Colts QB Johnny Unitas played his college ball at Louisville…then a NAIA school.  Former Cincinnati Bengals star QB Ken Anderson spent his undergraduate days at Division III Augustana College

And, although not an “all-time great”, former Seattle Seahawks QB Dave Kreig (who did have some good seasons in the 1980′s) played at tiny Division III Milton College…a college so obscure that it soon closed its doors after Kreig left.

Can Central Arkansas QB, Nathan Brown, (photo, thanks UCA Sports), join the list of elite NFL QBs from the non-traditional powers?

One of the top QBs in Division I-FCS in 2008, Nathan Brown (Russellville, AR/Russellville HS) threw for over 3200 yards and 31 TDs with only 4 INTs, as he led the UCA Bears to a 10-2 record and a Division I-FCS playoff berth…while playing in one of the toughest FCS conferences (Southland).

Brown has piqued interest from the NFL because of his quickness, and, accuracy on short to intermediate passes.  Also, Brown displays good poise in the pocket.

However, the UCA QB does not posses a strong arm, and, he lacks the height to be a top NFL QB (Note:  The NFL lists him at 6-0, however, in FCB’s John Huss interview with Brown during the Senior Bowl, Brown was definitely much taller than 6-0).

Look for Brown to be picked late in the draft…somehwere in the 6th or 7th round.

Related posts:

1. NFL DRAFT…SMALL SCHOOL GEMS…Rashad Jennings, Liberty
2. NFL DRAFT…SMALL SCHOOL GEMS…WR Ramses Barden, Cal-Poly
3. NFL DRAFT…SMALL SCHOOL GEMS…A Trio Of Wildcats
4. NFL Draft: Late Round Finds vs. Undrafted Gems
5. Whacked by the Draft: Arkansas and Kentucky must rebuild

Tags: Johnny Unitas, Nathan Brown, NFL Draft, Quarterbacks, Small School Gems, Terry Bradshaw