Combine sleepers ... The majority of players attending the annual scouting combine in Indianapolis ar from the major conferences and big-name college football programs, whereas prospects from from outside the ranks of D1A are very much the minority party. This year will be no exception as over 90% of the 330 or so players invited to this year's combine are from D1A programs, while less than 10% are from lower level schools. This year, 27 players from schools other than those at that perform at the D1A level will be at the combine. Most, though, including prospects such as Delaware QB Pat Devlin, WRs Cecil Shorts of Mount Union and Abilene Christian's Edmund Gates, OTs Ben Ijalana of Villanova and David Arkin of Missouri State, DTs Kendric Ellis of Hampton, Cedric Thornton of Southern Arkansas and Martin Parker of Richmond, and CBs Cortez Allen of the Citadel and Richmond's Justin Rogers are already reasonably well-known nationally. It is probably not that much of a stretch, though, to stretch that several small-school aren't even household names in their own homes. Here's a quick introduction of some of the real sleepers at this week's combine.

WR Joe Morgan, Walsh; 6-0.5, 185, 4.35 ... Its a long, long way from the NAIA to the NFL, but Joe Morgan from Walsh will at least be at this year's scouting combine. And Morgan didn't even put up that great numbers at Walsh; indeed, he only had 41 receptions this past fall for 15.9 yards and 4 scores on a team that just didn't throw the ball all that well. What Morgan is though, is a very good athlete - he's a one-time NAIA indoor long-jump champion - who can really run and is projected to run in the low 4.3 range at the combine.

WR Andre Holmes, Hillsdale; 6-4, 210, 4.35  ... Another  former track star with excellent speed with a chance to shine at the combine; was actually recruited at Hillsdale as a triple jumper - he won the conference title as a freshman - and is relatively new to the game. Made huge strides as a wideout over his career at Hillsdale, though; indeed, caught 104 passes for almost 1,400 yards and 11 TDs as a senior; rangy receiver with long arms and decent hands and was a real match-up problem at the DII level, but has lots to learn about the nuances of the position.

OT Kevin Hughes, Southeastern Louisiana; 6-4, 297, 5.15 ... Not all that big at under 6-4 and 300 pounds, but is very athletic for someone that size. Played LT in college, but probably will have to find a role inside to play at the next level. Not all that physical at the point of attack, but moves his feet well and can make a block in space.

OLB D.J. Smith, Appalachian State; 6-1, 235, 4.60 ... One of three Appalachian State players to be invited to this year's combine along with FS Mark Legree and OT Daniel Kilgore. Smith is a 4-year starter at OLB who has bulked up to 235 pounds, but still has excellent speed and range and will really help his stock if he can get under the 4.6 mark in the 40; tackling machine who had over 500 career tackles including 144 in 2010, although scouts would have liked to see more plays in the backfield and in coverage. Meanwhile, ASU RT Kilgore may be oe of the longest shots to make the NFL in Indianapolis. Kilgore has a nasty streak, can get and make a block in space and has decent feet, but isn't very big at just 6-3, 292.

CB Buster Skrine, Tennessee-Chattanooga; 5-9, 185, 4.30 ... Three things will get a small-school player invited to the combine: speed, speed and more speed. And Skrine has all three! Indeed, the school claims he holds the scool record in the 40 at 4.22; and while not overly big he's got excellent strength. However, scouts will be looking to see if he is as quick and agile as he is fast; has 5 career picks, but also needs to show he's got next-level ball skills.

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