MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE A+
The MWC tied their best draft day ever yesterday with an impressive 16 MWC players taken by NFL teams. While its no surprise that some MWC leaders like Fresno State and Boise State had players drafted , the conference also displayed its versatility by having both Wyoming and San Jose State have players taken.
MWC has always been able to attract quality, NFL worthy players to its conference. The 2014 NFL Draft proved once again why the MWC deserves its billing as one of the top G5 conferences.
FINAL GRADING COMMENTS: ENJOY YOUR SUMMER, NO REMEDIAL WORK NECESSARY
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE A-
Although not technically a G5 Conference yet, they are for all intents and purposes a G5 conference for this draft. The big winners this year for the AAC were UCF, with the number 3 overall pick and Louisville, who had four players, including an impressive 3 selected in the 1st round. The AAC had a total 12 players taken from the conference.
The good news for the AAC is that the conference saw some of its worst football schools like Memphis, have players drafted. The bad news is that Louisville will not be in the conference next year. If the AAC wants to stay at the top of the G5 pack, they will need to convince quality, NFL worthy recruits to come play in its conference.
FINAL GRADING COMMENTS: HAVE A NICE SUMMER, BUT DON'T EXPECT TO JUST CRUISE NEXT YEAR AND STAY THE TOP STUDENT.
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE B+
Sometimes the MAC conference can flat out ball. In this years NFL draft, the blue collar conference that made playing Wed night games on ESPN U cool, had not one but two players selected in the first round. Buffalo's Khalil Mack and Northern Illinois , Jimmie Ward, proved once again that good football players grow in all sorts of ways and in all sorts of places.
The MAC, however, will need to improve on their overall NFL draft number count if they want to be top dog in the G5. For now however, for placing two of its players in the first round, the MAC deserves the name Daddy-MAC.
FINAL GRADING COMMENTS: NO EXTRA WORK FOR YOU THIS SUMMER, ENJOY IT. NEXT YEAR, HOWEVER, LOOKS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR YOU.
CONFERENCE USA C
At several points in its proud history, Conf USA, has been the top dog in the non BCS, non P5 world. This years NFL draft however, is further proof that the conference is struggling with its footing. Conf USA was one of only two conferences( Sun Belt the other) in the FBS, not to have a player taken in the 1st or 2nd rounds of the NFL draft.
It's not all bad news however, for Conference USA , as they did finish the NFL draft with a respectable 8 players taken. If Conf USA, wants to recapture its mojo, it will have to get busy on the recruiting trail and convince quality players with NFL potential to give the conference a try. Don't underestimate Conf USA, as the conference has a habit of bouncing back in big ways.
FINAL GRADING COMMENTS: SUMMER SCHOOL IS NEEDED ALTHOUGH NOT REQUIRED .. COURSE SUGGESTIONS: RECRUITING( MARSHALL EXEMPT) CONFERENCE VISION AND PLANNING
SUNBELT BELT CONFERENCE C-
The Sun Belt Conference has come a long way. This years NFL draft however, felt a bit retro for the Belt, but not in a good way. If Ga Southern is included in the count, the Sun Belt had a total of 6 players taken in the draft. Without Ga Southern however, that numbers drops to 4. To make matters worse, those 4 all come in the late rounds. The Sun Belt, like Conf USA, was one of only two FBS conferences not to have a pick in the first two rounds. Take away Ga Southern, and the Belt struggles even more, with no player taken until the 5th round.
The Sun Belt will have to do a better job going forward of recruiting NFL caliber talent if it wants to be considered one of the top G5 conferences. The good news, is that Ga Southern comes into the league next year, as well as APP State. These schools coupled with some of the other good programs, should turn these numbers around next year.
FINAL GRADING COMMENTS: SUMMER SCHOOL REQUIRED: COURSE TO TAKE: RECRUITING. EXTRA WORK: INVITE NO MORE FCS PROGRAMS TO THE CONFERENCE
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