The NFL Draft is annually headlined by Power Five talent.

Prospects that once entered college with a varying amount of stars next to their name in recruiting databases, this years class of blue chip talent has been well-known within league circles for years.

However, the draft goes beyond round one. And furthermore, the top 100 picks.

While public attention can tend to drift following the proceedings on night one, the evaluation process kicks into high gear for teams as more names fly off the board. And finding contributing players from even the smallest of programs can ultimately sway the needle towards building a Super Bowl roster.

An age where resources are aplenty and the range of scouting regions has increased almost yearly, the following is a list of small-school talent worth highlighting who have generated significant buzz in the pre-draft process.

Western Michigan ED Marshawn Kneeland

One of the more physically imposing edge rushers in the class, Marshawn Kneeland has had an excellent pre-draft process that included invites to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

A power-laden pass-rusher with spring-loaded hands, Kneeland's ability to both set the edge on early downs and pin his ears back on third-and-long should see his name called within the top 100 selections.

While teams continue to search for the uber-explosive, twitched up edge threats at lighter weights, Kneeland's throwback approach at 267 pounds to winning with power and technicality presents an intriguing floor for production.

New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube

If you're a team in need of electricity in space, flip on the tape of Dylan Laube.

Looking to become the first player drafted out of New Hampshire in over a decade, there isn't a more dynamic route-runner and separator than Laube in the class.

A modern offensive chess piece, the FCS All-American was sensational against Power Five talent at the Senior Bowl and will present a team with a multi-faceted weapon that who will further expand a playbook.

Projecting Laube as an early down ball-carrier would be rich at this point in his evaluation, but his skillset on passing downs will keep defensive coordinators up late into the night.

South Dakota State IOL Mason McCormick

If you like throwback football, you'll like the game of Mason McCormick.

The leader up front for a dominant South Dakota State front five, McCormick's five-year career at left guard showcased a technically refined lineman with the nastiness that offensive line coaches love.

His game is best on a linear plane –which could limit his value to teams that like to pull– but his ability to distort the line of scrimmage in the run game, then drop anchor against a 315-pound three-tech will force him into snaps early in his career.

He didn't allow a sack in 359 pass pro snaps in 2023, per PFF.

Northern Iowa DL Khristian Boyd

If you're unsure of who Khristian Boyd is, the leagues interest will tell you all you need to know. An athletic and nuanced interior defensive lineman, Boyd has pre-draft visits scheduled with nearly half of the NFL.

While it was a shock to many that Boyd didn't receive an invite to the NFL Combine after dominating competition at the Shrine Bowl, don't be shocked to hear his name called in the top 100 picks.

It was just last year that we saw combine snubs (and Shrine attendees) in DT Kobie Turner (Los Angeles Rams) and DT Brodric Martin (Detroit Lions) hear their names called in the top 100 selections, and it shouldn't surprise if Boyd were to follow a similar path.

Interior push is a priceless commodity for teams and Boyd's ability to consistently overwhelm FBS talent at Shrine has seen his stock rise.

Monmouth RB Jaden Shirden

Similar to Dylan Laube, Jaden Shirden will present teams with an explosive, versatile offensive weapon that will force mismatches.

The fifth-fastest RB at the combine, Shirden's short-area quickness and sneaky power inside the tackles should pave the way for snaps early in his career.

Size (5'7") could scare some away, but he won't be afraid of the bright lights and has a skill set that shoulkd translate nicely into the ever evolving NFL offense.

Shirden is looking to become the first Monmouth player drafted since 2015 (WR Neil Sterling).

SUNY Cortland WR Cole Burgess

The national champions at the Division III level in 2023, Cortland State has had just one alum in its history compete at the NFL level (DL R-Kal Truluck in the early 2000s).

Meet Cole Burgess, one of the more versatile prospects in the entire 2024 NFL Draft, and a name currently buzzing within league circles.

A member of both SUNY Cortland's football, and baseball program, the 6-foot-1, 200 pound pass-catcher dominated the Division III level totaling over 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023 alone that included a nine-catch, 245-yard, three touchdown performance in November.

However, the perimeter isn't the only spot he's been able to make an impact, a reason why scouts began to take notice in the late portions of the fall.

An electric return man, Burgess totaled 1,647 yards (three touchdowns) in four seasons for the Red Dragons, expanding his evaluation as a multi-phase contributor.

You won't find much attention on social media when looking for Burgess, but he's become a topic of NFL teams in need of adding playmakers in the backend of the draft.

Colorado State ED Mohamed Kamara

Mohamed Kamara continues to fly under the radar as we creep towards the NFL Draft.

One of the most explosive pass rushers in the class, his effort and always hot motor present the floor for him to wreak havoc at five-tech.

His length is a concern for teams, but operating behind a 'catch me if you can' mantra is the way of life for the twitched up Kamara.

His age (sixth-year senior) currently does not remain a concern, however, and organizations in need of additional juice at the position are expected to prioritize his skill set as the draft works into rounds three and four.

His 64 pressures ranked fourth among all FBS edge rushers last fall.

Ferris State CB Shon Stephens

The cousin of Pittsburgh Steelers corner Joey Porter Jr, Shon Stephens enters the draft as one of the premier ballhawks in the class.

While his numbers deserve context considering the level of competition faced at the Division II level, Stephens totaled eight interceptions in 11 games in 2023.

At his pro day (held at Michigan State), Stephens opened the eyes of scouts representing 27 NFL teams with a 4.37 40-yard dash and 19 reps of 225 pounds on the bench.

While Stephens' journey to the draft has included a long list of stops including attempted transfers to both Penn State and Purdue –where the NCAA ultimately ruled against his immediate eligibility– Stephens has had the attention of Power Five programs, and NFL scouts, for some time.

Pittsburg State LB Dubem Okonkwo

It was just a few years ago that we saw Pittsburg State produce corner Dallis Flowers (Indianapolis Colts), and Dubem Okonkwo could be next in line out of the Division II program in rural Kansas.

While his projection remains muddy considering his lack of competition and limited pre-draft exposure, teams tend to take chances on physical traits as the draft winds down.

Projecting Okonkwo to hear his name called or even make a 90-man roster this summer would be rich at this point in his evaluation, but a 4.21 short-shuttle, 10'1" broad jump and a 4.48 40 at 5'11", 230 pounds have forced scouts to dive deeper into his game.

A downhill, aggressive defender that could be utilized best as a hybrid edge-LB, his 1.57 10-yd split would have finished second among all LBs at the combine.

Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker

At first glance, Jalen Coker's 26 trips to pay dirt in the last two years opens eyes. However, his production only paints half the story.

While dominating Ivy League competition paved the way for Holy Cross' aerial attack, scouts wanted to see Coker line up against more athletic, experienced corners. Then came the Shrine Bowl in February.

At 6'1", over 200 pounds, Coker was excellent at the week-long showcase. A sudden route runner with elite ball skills and strength to overpower smaller corners, Coker quickly moved himself into the Day 3 conversation.

While continuing to develop his route-tree away from living as a contested catch artist will help diversify his game, teams in need of a big-bodied target to deploy in high leverage situations could prioritize Coker in the latter rounds.

Rice WR Luke McCaffrey

The younger brother of 49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey, Rice WR Luke McCaffrey is looking to pave his own path of stardom.

While the attention surrounding his game doesn't compare to the likes of his big brother out of Stanford in 2017, the younger McCaffrey will present teams with a sure-handed target capable of making an impact in multiple phases.

A transfer from Nebraska prior to the 2021 campaign, although McCaffrey's production at the collegiate level didn't come until his final season at Rice, his short-area quickness, hands (three drops on 120 targets) and alignment versatility showcases a pass-catcher that will add a high quality of depth to any receivers room he lands in.