Conference USA will forever be the league that is poached by the power five conferences to help in solidifying their own stature among the elite. When former Conference USA teams like Tulsa, Houston, UCF, East Carolina, Memphis, SMU and Tulane jumped ship to the AAC, the conference was left reeling. The addition of FAU, FIU, Louisiana Tech, UT-San Antonio and Old Dominion has helped plug the holes of recent departures, but despite the change in faces, their remain good NFL talent among its current members.
In 2013 with former members still in the fold, Conference USA had a banner draft year with 13 total selections and 6 taken in the first two rounds (one 1st round pick).
New conference members FAU and FIU have produced two of the top players at their positions in the NFL. Alfred Morris (FAU), the 2013 Pro Bowl Running back for the Washington Redskins, and T.Y. Hilton (FIU), who had a break out 82 catch 1083 yard season for the Colts, are two examples of the talented under the radar gems that can be found in the schools of Conference USA.
Two of the best talents in C-USA are DT Christian Covington of Rice, and CB D’Joun Smith of Florida Atlantic. Each player possesses the tools needed to make an NFL roster. Given the success of their predecessors, both players will have a chance to make their mark in the NFL for the long term.
Read more: https://www.football.com/en-us/who-is-the-best-defensive-prospect-in-conference-usa/