FBS Independent Schools Scouting Reports
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Below are links to the scouting reports for 2020 NFL Draft prospects from the FBS Independents from Tony Pauline (Twitter: @TonyPauline), Pro Football Network’s Chief NFL Draft Analyst and Insider. To view overall and positional rankings, visit and bookmark Pauline’s Draft Board. Please note that the links below will open in a new tab.
Page 1: BYU Cougars
Page 2: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Page 3: Liberty Flames
Page 3: Massachusetts Minutemen
Page 4: New Mexico State Aggies
BYU Cougars
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Aleva Hifo, WR
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who caught 42 passes for 483 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 23 times for 104 yards and two TDs as a senior in 2019. Made 28 catches for 358 yards and two touchdowns and carried 30 times for 129 yards and two scores as a junior.
Positives: Nice-sized receiver who flashes ability. Runs sharp routes, separates from defenders out of breaks and displays terrific hand-eye coordination. Settles into the open spot of the field, uses his frame to shield away defenders and keeps the play in bounds to pick up positive yardage after the catch. Works hard to make himself an available target.
Negatives: Lazy route runner. Struggles in battles and loses out. Unnecessarily lets the pass get inside him.
Analysis: Hifo entered the season graded as a potential late-round choice, but he never really elevated his game and failed to meet expectations. He offers possibilities as a fifth receiver and return specialist, but Hifo really needs to improve in almost every area and be a consistent producer on the field.
Austin Lee, S
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who made 55 tackles (two for loss) with one interception and four pass breakups as a senior in 2019. Made 41 tackles with two INTs as a junior.
Positives: Heady safety who makes a lot of plays based on his hustle. Physical, efficient and takes proper angles to the action. Hard hitter who is quick to read and diagnose, keeps the action in front of him and fires up the field to make plays.
Negatives: Displays an average burst to the ball out of his plant. Possesses poor deep and recovery speed. Not stout or strong.
Analysis: Lee gets high marks in the areas of intensity and instincts, but he has physical limitations and is really a scheme-specific safety who is at his best playing downhill.
Talon Shumway, WR
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who caught 42 passes for 553 yards and four touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Made 22 catches for 337 yards and three TDs as a junior.
Positives: Nice-sized wideout who wins out for contested throws. Uses his frame to shield away defenders, lays out for the difficult catch and extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame. Displays strong hands, looks the ball in and plucks the ball from the air.
Negatives: Occasionally takes his eyes off the ball and drops catchable throws. Lacks speed and quickness and struggles to separate from defenders.
Analysis: Shumway possesses the size and pass-catching skills to make a practice squad, but he comes with physical limitations.
Ty’Son Williams, RB
Career Snapshot: Transfer from South Carolina who played four games for BYU in 2019 before a torn ACL sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Rushed 49 times for 264 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.
Positives: Strong interior ball carrier who is effective in all areas of the running back position. Patient, displays terrific vision and finds the running lanes. Instinctive, will pick and choose his spots on the inside and follows blocks everywhere on the field. Keeps his feet moving, grinds it out and falls forward when tackled. Solid pass catcher out of the backfield who fights hard to gain yardage after the catch. Helps the quarterback sell ball fakes and effectively picks up assignments as a blocker.
Negatives: Not creative and can’t turn the corner or even get around tackle. Lacks speed and quickness and now comes off a knee injury.
Analysis: Williams has physical limitations and must rehab from injury, but he was consistent in all areas of the running back position during his time at South Carolina and BYU. If healthy, Williams has an outside shot to make an NFL roster as a fourth back.