The Hunt Report: Ranking the top 10 small-college prospects in 2023 NFL Draft. Also, find gems from European Football League

Football is a global game. Professional scouts continue to search the globe for the best players that can help their respective teams. There are currently 774 colleges across the country that have football sponsorships, which is the most ever. In 2023, six additional programs will be adding the sport. This means that there are many players who are physically able to play pro-ball, so it is likely that some players will slip through the cracks. 

What’s the THe Hunt Report It will help you identify the lesser-known prospects and underrated players you should be keeping an eye on during the college football season as well as the draft process.

CBSSports.com is our home. The Hunt Report want to create the ideal place and platform for the underdog, the training camp surprise player, the preseason darling, the who-in-the-heck-is-that-guy and the where-did-this-dude-come from who will end up starring on your favorite NFL, USFL, XFL and/or CFL team. 

You don’t have the time to do all the work. And you can trust that I won’t leave any stone unturned in uncovering some hidden gems from around the globe throughout the college football season. 

Without further delay, here’s Week Zero’s initial Hunt Report.

It is the debut of The Hunt ReportI thought it would be fun to share some of the European League of Football’s potential players with you. I have been following them closely since spring and summer. 

The ELF is currently in its second season. It has 12 franchises throughout Europe. In 2022, the ELF will have 16 teams and in the future, 24. Some of the names you will recognize from the old NFL Europa days are still in use by the league. Unique about the ELF is that it has a focus on developing homegrown talent. There won’t be more than four players per roster with “non-European” names. It’s composed of 90% European players, making it a truly European league. 

The rules and game are very similar with the NFL. In 2020, the kickoff situation will be similar to that of XFL. The quality of play is excellent and comparable to what you would see in the NFL’s preseason. I have watched the games for the entire season. Kavontae Turpin, the Dallas Cowboys’ current return specialist and 2022 USFL MVP, played in the ELF for the Wroclaw Panthers in 2021 to give you an idea about the talent that is in the league.

As we approach the end of the season with the ELF Championship Game, here are some players to familiarize yourself with.

WR/RET Jean Constant (Hamburg Sea Devils)

• Age: 26
• Height: 5-9
• Weight: 180
• College: Stony Brook

Constant would be my choice to be “this years”‘s pick Kavontae TurpinThe Sea Devils have seen instant offense from the ex-Stony Brook star, “” He has more than 800 yards of receiving and seven touchdowns. His average punt return yards is 21.1 yards. Constant leads the league in punt returns yardage. Constant played a similar role last season with Barcelona Dragons. Next game: August 28 vs. Wroclaw

QB Jackson Erdmann (Vienna Vikings)

• Age: 25
• Height: 6-3
• Weight: 215
• College: Saint John’s (MN).

Erdmann was one of the top college gridiron showcase talent I saw. He looked great despite being from Division III. It’s no surprise that he has improved his game with Vikings. I am most impressed by his deep ball placement and accuracy. He also shows proficiency in the middle area of the field. Next game: August 28 vs. Barcelona

RB Glen Toonga (Hamburg Sea Devils)

• Age: 27
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 226
• College: University of Southampton

Toonga is 27 years old, but he’s a great player with the football. His age suggests that Toonga is a plug and play player who can immediately help a team. With 1,251 yards, he’s the league’s leading rusher. This is 300 yards more than second-place rusher. He averages 5.9 yards per run with 17 rushing touchdowns. His ability to make chunk plays is what makes him unique. Think Alexander Mattison. Next game: August 28 vs. Wroclaw

LB Flamur Simon (Cologne Centurions).

• Age: 23
• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 253
• College: N/A

Simon may be the best defensive prospect in all of the league. He also has the greatest upside. Simon was a participant in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program in 2021, and was originally supposed to sign with UMass. However, the pandemic ended his opportunity. He’s an athletic SAM supporter-type who can run with his hand in dirt, rush the QB, and play as a drop player in coverage. He has two interceptions, a pick-six and excellent instincts. Next game: Aug. 27 vs. Rhein

College Football

10. RB Josh Ewanchyna

• College: University of Saskatchewan
• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 200

Ewanchyna sat back and watched Adam Machart win a lot of praise and accolades. But quietly, Ewanchyna may end up being a better prospect and a more successful pro. It’s his first-step explosion that jumps out at you. Also, his ability to quickly get downhill and glide past defenders. He was able to make enough plays last season in a supporting role to earn an invitation to the 2022 USports East-West Bowl, which is their version before the college football season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him gain attention in the States, in addition to being a CFL early-round selection. Next game: Sept. 1 at University of Calgary

9. DE/OLB Andrew Farmer

• College: Lane College
• Height: 6-3
• Weight: 245

Farmer, a college football pressure player and a HBCU ranker, can be used as an off ball backer or SAM/EDGE. Farmer’s acceleration and close speed to the quarterback is what makes him stand out on tape. Farmer has the good news that he will have a chance to really get on the radar against Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s OL Mark Evans. Next game: Sept. 3 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

8. Josh Cummings, RB

• College: Western Colorado
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 220

Cummings is a natural runner and has a great contact balance. He doesn’t fall over, you just bump him to one side. He is able to combine vision, footwork and body-lean to make him a highly productive chain movers at the pro level. He is able to work with volume or not, and has a keen eye for the end zone. Next game: Sept. 3 vs. West Texas A&M

7. OT Quinton Barrow

• College: Grand Valley State
• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 330

Barrow is a large man with excellent footwork and athleticism. He’s consistent at both the offensive and pass protection ends. Because the GLIAC is undoubtedly the best conference in the D2, I don’t care about his level of competition. Barrow’s size, strength, athleticism and skills will translate to any level. Next game: Sept. 3, vs. Colorado School of Mines

6. WR Keilahn Harris

• College: Oklahoma Baptist
• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 180

Harris’s “fluidity,” is an appropriate term. OBU is a football enthusiast who loves to have the ball in his hands in every way possible. He is a great receiver and a strong kickoff returner. His in-game confidence is something I love. You can see it with every route run, with every reception and with the ball in hand. Harris could be the Montrell Washington of this season. Next game: Sept. 1 against Ouachita Baptist

5. DE Malik Hamm

• College: Lafayette
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 255

His game against Georgetown was my color analysis, and it didn’t take him long to make his presence known. He has a great pass rush ability and is a constant nuisance during the game. After the season, he entered the transfer portal, but he found his way back home to the Leopards to the dismay of the Patriot League. Next game: Sept. 3, vs. Sacred Heart

4. WR Jaxon Jaxon Jake

• College: South Dakota State
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 210

Jaxon’s twin brother Jadon (also on the team) is solid in his own way. Jaxon, however, was the one who made waves last year. He led the team in receiving yards and receptions. He is tough and competitive on the route and at catch point. He also has above-average YAC skills. He is the next generation of Jackrabbit pass catchers. Next game: September 3rd vs. Iowa

3. OL Mark Evans

• College: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• Height: 6-3
• Weight: 300

Evans was awarded the Willie Roaf award last season. This is an award given to the best OL in Arkansas. He also made Denny’s All-Pancaker Team. Evans can be explosive off the ball and is able to get into the chests of defenders to get them out of their paint quickly. Evans is a LT for Golden Lions, and could be a good fit at G. Evans is a watchlist for the East-West Shrine Bowl because of his talents. Next game: September 3rd vs. Lane College

2. DE Brevin Allen

• College: Campbell
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 270

In quiet times, Mike Minter and his Camels program have created a bully in Buiess Creek. Allen is one of the larger bullies. Allen is versatile enough to play 5-technique but could also be a professional LDE. Allen is a good ball getter and has a long arm stab which helps him cause disruption up front. Next game: Sept. 1, vs. Citadel

1. TE Thomas Greaney

• College: University at Albany
• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 254

Greaney is only scratching the surface of what he might become as a player. He has excellent blocking skills, whether it’s inline or detached. And he is solid in the underneath-to-intermediate passing game. This season, I will be keeping an eye on him to see if his strength has increased. Next game: September 3rd vs. Baylor