Arrigo has had this guy in at least 2 of his mocks- These comments are from Scott Wright
• If a prospect has talent the NFL will eventually find them, regardless of where they play. This axiom is especially true when it comes to the secondary. In the last ten years alone there have been 18 defensive backs from non-Division I programs selected in the top three rounds of the NFL Draft. That’s an average of almost two per year, including first round picks like Rashard Anderson (Jackson St., 2000) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee St., 2008) and a couple of Pro Bowlers out of Bethune-Cookman (Rashean Mathis and Nick Collins). In fact, there has been a small school cornerback or safety selected on what we used to call “Day One” in 9 of the past 10 years. If it happens again in 2010 don’t be surprised if Akwasi Owusu-Ansah from Indiana (PA) is the prospect who helps extends the impressive streak.
A gifted athlete with prototypical size (6-1, 205), a sturdy build and good speed (4.50), Owusu-Ansah could project to either cornerback or free safety at the next level and is widely regarded to be one of the best small-school prospects in this class. A late bloomer who didn’t even begin playing the game seriously until he was in the 8th grade, Owusu-Ansah did not receive any DI scholarship offers out of high school and wound up working in a backup capacity early in his college career. Owusu-Ansah finally earned a starting job as a junior and he hasn’t looked back since. A classic ballhawk with excellent range, Owusu-Ansah has defended 28 passes the last two years and come away with an incredible 14 interceptions. In addition to his defensive exploits Owusu-Ansah has also been an impact player on special teams for the Crimson Hawks, scoring five touchdowns as a return man as a senior and seven overall. Owusu-Ansah will obviously be facing a major jump in competition and will require some development, especially when it comes to his technique and tackling. With that said Owusu-Ansah has been dominant at the Division II level and appears to have the sheer talent and physical tools that you look for.
How early Owusu-Ansah is ultimately chosen in the 2010 NFL Draft may hinge on how well he performs in all-star games and at the Scouting Combine. Strong showings against top competition at those venues would help alleviate concerns about him merely being a big fish in a small pond at I.U.P. and make it much more palatable for some decision maker to invest a premium pick on the sleeper with a goofy name. Whether or not Owusu-Ansah will emerge as a legitimate second or third round value in the coming months remains to be seen. However, recent history has shown that the NFL holds a special place in their hearts for small-school defensive backs on Draft Day and at this point Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is clearly the best bet to carry on that proud tradition.
Note: Name is Pronounced “uh-KWAZ-ee oh-WOO-soo AHN-sah”