Former small-school prospects dot the NFL landscape today, and the 2022 NFL Draft class has a collection of small-school prospects with legitimate chances to be selected before the third day of the draft. Just like last year, one prospect is poised to go in Round 1.

Let's dive into those prospects from the FCS level who'll be wearing NFL uniforms this fall and have the talent to make an impact early in their pro careers. 

Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

CBS Sports prospect rank: 42 | Position rank: 9

Penning is going in the first round. He's a 6-foot-7, 325-pound mauler with long arms who had a first-round-caliber workout at the combine. This class features Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu, and Charles Cross as the top three consensus offensive tackles. After that? It's anybody's guess. My guess is Penning is viewed as OT4 by most clubs. 

He plays with an angry demeanor on the field, and while he's a bit clunkier on the field than his combine indicates, teams will love his girth, tenacity, and that he's a rare offensive line prospect who doesn't need to add 10-20 pounds to deal with large rushers on the outside. It feels like Penning could go as high as No. 10 to the Jets, and hearing his name called somewhere between selections No. 17 (Chargers) and No. 26 (Titans) seems most likely.

Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State

CBS Sports prospect rank: 110 | Position rank: 10

Andersen had the most unique, fascinating career of any prospect in this class, small-school or not. At Montana State, Andersen was first-team All-Big Sky as a quarterback in 2018, The next year, he received the prestigious first-team nod as... a linebacker. Andersen leaves Montana State second in career rushing touchdowns. 

In 2021, Andersen had 147 tackles, 14 of which went for a loss, two picks, and seven pass breakups. 

And his traits are legitimately impressive by NFL standards. At over 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, Andersen ran 4.42 with a 36-inch vertical and a 10-8 broad jump at the combine. That athleticism is clear as day on film. At times, he gets engulfed by blockers, but burst to the football, change-of-direction skill to mirror running backs or flip his hips in coverage are outstanding. Because he's relatively new to the position, it may take him time to acclimate to the vast on-field responsibilities an NFL linebacker has, but the physical attributes are through the roof. Andersen being selected midway through Day 2 would not surprise me.

Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

CBS Sports prospect rank: 53 | Position rank: 8

Six-foot-four and 208 pounds with 4.36 speed will get the NFL's attention, regardless of what division your football program is in. Watson is not only fast and explosive -- he had a ridiculous 11-4 broad jump -- he's a glider with the ball in his hands, not robotic or choppy when running. 

He wasn't incredibly productive in college, but North Dakota State is a run-first program. He has all the makings of being a better professional than he was at the FCS level given his smooth athleticism, size, and speed. Watson does need to land with a creative offensive coordinator because he's not a developed route-runner and doesn't possesses the natural skills needed to elude NFL defensive backs in space. On screens, go balls, posts, end-arounds, and jet sweeps, he can be a serious weapon. He's likely to land in the second round.

Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota

CBS Sports prospect rank: 315 | Position rank: 63

Waletzko feels a lot like Spencer Brown from a year ago. The Northern Iowa star offensive tackle had a legendary workout at his pro day and was picked by the Bills in the back-end of the third round. At nearly 6-8 and just over 300 pounds, Waletzko is built almost identically to Brown and plays with the same type of effortless athleticism as a blocker. 

It's rare to see him on the turf thanks to his wide base and requisite knee bend. Is he a people-mover just yet? No. And building that strength to move NFL defensive linemen will take time. But nearly an 86-inch wingspan -- much longer than Brown's -- cannot be coached. The 30-inch vertical confirms Waletzko's explosiveness, and he works hard resetting his hands in pass protection. 

These type of enormous, athletic specimen do not last past the third round in today's offensive tackle-needy NFL.

Cole Strange, IOL, Chattanooga

CBS Sports prospect rank: 123 | Position rank: 27

Strange played left guard -- and even some left tackle -- at Chattanooga. His home will likely be at center in the NFL. Blessed with impeccable short-area quickness and a brawler's mentality on the inside, Strange has the combination teams love in prospects they pick to eventually man the pivot on their offensive line. 

He proved himself as a legitimate Day 2 prospect with a strong showing in Chattanooga's contest against Kentucky early in the season. While not dominant, he more than held his own inside against SEC size and power on the Wildcats front. He's a tenacious lineman who blocks through the whistle, and the burst he plays with pops on every snap. Strange does a marvelous job striking low on defenders so he gains a leverage advantage upon first contact, and he has the balance and athleticism to keep his feet moving once he's latched on. There's a possibility he's picked in the third round as a versatile piece of team's offensive front.