Analysis
11/24/21
4 min read
Small School Standouts Week 12: Cade Terveer Puts The Team on His Back
While most of the fanfare and conversation about NFL Draft prospects traditionally surrounds high-profile FBS programs, schools at the FCS generate high-end talent every year, and prospects from those schools should not be overlooked. Each week, The 33rd Team highlights a handful of FCS standouts from small schools around the country. Here are 5 players who caught our eye in Week 7.
(Jr.) Cade Terveer, EDGE, South Dakota State
With 9 total pressures and a 41.7% win rate, Cade Terveer has rightfully earned a spot amongst the FCS’ top performances in Week 12. His final stat line included huge 2 sacks on the final drive of the game that sealed the victory for South Dakota State, 3 hits, 4 hurries, and the second highest pressure rate of the weekend at 37.5%.
Verheer had the highest PFF grade of any defensive player in college football at 95.0 and had the 3rd highest pass rushing grade (highest amongst FCS players) behind Jordan Brown, Andre Carter II, and Eric Black. It was his highest graded performance since Week 6 against Southern Illinois when he posted a 89.7 overall grade and 91.2 pass rushing grade.
Terveer’s performance on Saturday against North Dakota now puts him at 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2 pass breakups. He grades just outside the top 10 at edge rusher at 83.9 and has had his best statistical season to date. Terveer and South Dakota State head into next week with a huge matchup against UC Davis.
(Fr.) Kevin Daniels, RB, Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona running back Kevin Daniels posted a stat line that most football fans will never see. The freshman carried his team past Cal Poly with 280 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns while averaging exactly 10 yards per carry. His day included a run of 90 yards where he juked the incoming linebacker and then showed off his speed on his way to the endzone. Daniels' showing Saturday reaffirmed his status as one of the Big Sky’s most talented players and explosive playmakers.
Daniels has had an unbelievable true freshman season as he’s now up to 1,146 yards, 7 touchdowns and has added 25 catches through the air. After a spring season in which he never really saw the field, Daniels has been able to step up and be a consistent contributor alongside star QB RJ Martinez.
(R-Jr.) Dakota Allen, TE, Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky’s Dakota Allen had arguably the most impressive performance from an FCS tight end that we’ve seen all year. He ended the day with 8 receptions on 11 targets for 113 yards, 2 touchdowns, 6 first downs, 5 catches of 15 or more yards, and 1 contested catch. He earned the highest receiving grade of any FCS player at 91.2 which is significantly higher than any performance he’s ever posted before.
Dakota Allen has shown off his versatility during his time at Eastern Kentucky. He came to EKU as a coveted dual threat quarterback who broke many records at his high school. His first year he saw action in 7 games and completed 51% of his passes for 376 yards and 1 interception.
He came back the following year and was his team's punter where he averaged 36.9 yards per punt and placed 4 inside the 20 yard line. He was also used sparingly as a quarterback and was key in helping them secure their first victory against Jacksonville State since 2012. The following season Allen was fully moved back to quarterback, but played in only 2 games. This past offseason they moved the 6’4 225 lb athlete to tight end where it appears they’ve been able to make good use of his skill set.
(Fr.) Collin Guggenheim, RB, Nicholls State
Not to be outdone by Kevin Daniels, Collin Guggenheim had an impressive rushing performance himself. On 29 carries, Guggenheim totaled a career high 266 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns, with a long of 58 yards. He ran for a weekend high 14 first downs, forced 5 missed tackles, and had an impressive 7 runs of 15 or more yards. Guggenheim earned the highest rushing grade amongst all FCS running backs at 78.2 and an overall grade of 77.1.
The Jerry Rice Award finalist has now run for at least 120 yards in 6 consecutive games. He’s up to nearly 1,000 yards rushing and has 10 touchdowns in what’s been a fantastic campaign for him.