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Big-name college players who will go in the later rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft
Darren Yamashita/USA Today Images

Big-name college players who will go in the later rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft

The NFL is a very different game than college football, and some players who find success easily in college aren't seen as top NFL prospects. These 20 top college performers still have a shot to have their names called in the later rounds of this year's draft.

 
1 of 20

Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame

Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Book started the last three years at Notre Dame, consistently winning in South Bend. Unfortunately, his lack of size and arm strength will likely push him to Day 3 of the draft, but Book has a chance to be a quality NFL backup.

 
2 of 20

Shane Buechele, QB, SMU

Shane Buechele, QB, SMU
James Guillory / USA Today Sports Images

The former starter at Texas, Buechele eventually transferred to SMU and put up huge numbers in the lucrative Mustangs offense with 57 touchdown passes in two years. His lack of athleticism will likely push him to the third day of the draft.

 
3 of 20

Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina

Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
Adam Richins / USA Today Sports Images

Carter had back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons at North Carolina, and also averaged 8.0 yards per carry in his senior year. He could be a nice change of pace back in the middle rounds of the draft.

 
4 of 20

Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas

Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas
Andrew Dieb / USA Today Sports Images

Ehlinger's four seasons at Texas were somewhat of a disappointment, but he still threw 94 touchdowns. He has the athletic ability to fit in the NFL as a backup but probably not the accuracy to do more.

 
5 of 20

Feleipe Franks, QB, Arkansas

Feleipe Franks, QB, Arkansas
Nelson Chenault / USA Today Sports Images

Maligned early in his career at Florida, Franks transferred to Arkansas and had an excellent 2020 season. He has major physical tools at 6-foot-7 with a strong arm and some mobility but needs to show more accuracy to be an NFL starter.

 
6 of 20

Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech

Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech
Vasha Hunt / USA Today Sports Images

Herbert transferred from Kansas to Virginia Tech before last season and was quite the find, finishing the season with 1,183 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games. He could be a Day 3 find in the draft.

 
7 of 20

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Hubbard rushed for over 2,000 yards in 2019, but unfortunately, his draft stock has fallen after injury and struggles last year. There are some concerns that his overuse early in his college career has hindered him, and could push him to the third day of the draft.

 
8 of 20

Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M

Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Mond showed superstar ability for the Aggies, putting together a highly productive career. Accuracy is the big sticking point for the athletic quarterback, and it could push him to the third round or even later. Mond's plus athleticism does fit the current NFL game and could work to his advantage as this year's Jalen Hurts.

 
9 of 20

Dylan Moses, ILB, Alabama

Dylan Moses, ILB, Alabama
Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

Moses returned from a major knee injury last season, and the health concerns could be a red flag that pushes him down draft boards. After recording 86 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2018, Moses had 76 tackles and one sack in 12 games last year.

 
10 of 20

Cornell Powell, WR, Clemson

Cornell Powell, WR, Clemson
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

Powell had a tough time getting attention in a deep wide receiver crowd at Clemson until last season when he had 53 catches for 882 yards and seven touchdowns. He lacks optimal size and doesn't have off-the-chart athleticism, but his breakout year should get Powell some attention on the third day of the draft.

 
11 of 20

Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Vasha Hunt / USA Today Sports Images

Roche had 26 sacks in his first three seasons at Temple before transferring to Miami last year. His decline to 4.5 sacks in 10 games last season against tougher competition wasn't a great sign, and his lack of athleticism should also push him to the second or third day.

 
12 of 20

Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson

Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Rodgers was productive for most of his career at Clemson but didn't fully realize his potential until last year when he finished with 77 catches for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns. His speed and playmaking ability should get attention, but the elite wide receiver class pushes Rodgers down the board.

 
13 of 20

Larry Rountree, RB, Missouri

Larry Rountree, RB, Missouri
Calvin Mattheis / USA Today Sports Images

Rountree was a workhorse for four years at Mizzou, finishing his career over 4,000 yards from scrimmage. He doesn't have impressive athleticism but was consistently productive, which should earn him late-round consideration.

 
14 of 20

Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State

Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State
Kyle Robertson / USA Today Sports Images

Sermon transferred from Oklahoma to Ohio State last year and had a great season with 965 yards from scrimmage in only eight games. He lacks the talent of the elite backs but should have his name called in the middle rounds.

 
15 of 20

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

Part of the prodigious St. Brown wide receiver brothers, St. Brown's older brother, Equanimeous, plays for the Packers. Armon-Ra had over 1,000 yards receiving in 2019 before regressing last year but has potential as a slot receiver.

 
16 of 20

Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

Trask was the favorite to win the Heisman at one point last season before sputtering down the stretch, but he still did enough to capture attention from NFL scouts. Some poor performances and lack of athleticism could push Trask down the draft, but his elite production over the last two seasons is undeniable.

 
17 of 20

Tamorrion Terry, WR, Florida State

Tamorrion Terry, WR, Florida State
Alicia Devine / USA Today Sports Images

A physically gifted wideout at 6-foot-4, Terry was among the college leaders in yards in 2019 with 1,188, along with nine touchdowns. Unfortunately, he's coming off a poor junior season due to a knee injury that could push down the draft.

 
18 of 20

Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee

Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Smith was a former elite recruit, but blood clots in his lungs disrupted his college career. He has a chance to be an excellent pro if he can get over health concerns.

 
19 of 20

Brady White, QB, Memphis

Brady White, QB, Memphis
Marvin Gentry / USA Today Sports Images

White transferred from Arizona State to Memphis to have an outstanding college career, with three 3,000-plus yard seasons. However, he's one of the oldest players in the draft and lacks the athleticism of many other quarterbacks in his class.

 
20 of 20

Seth Williams, WR, Auburn

Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
Justin Ford / USA Today Sports Images

Williams is physically gifted but never put up huge numbers in the Auburn offense after showing big-play flashes in his freshman season. He's a raw receiver who will likely fit at the bottom of an NFL roster.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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