5 small school prospects who will catch Ryan Pace eye

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 3: Defensive back Robert Rochell #9 of Central Arkansas returns a fumble for a touchdown against UAB during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Legion Field on September 3, 2020 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

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4. Christian Uphoff, S, Illinois State

The local product could be right under the nose of Ryan Pace. The biggest thing going against Uphoff is his athleticsm. Below you can see how he checked out at his pro day. This is in comparison to other safeties from past years.

Uphoff is a big box safety but does not have the range, although his broad and three-cone drill are at least within the range of average.

Beyond that, we have seen that Ryan Pace does not put much stock into the athleticism of the safety beside Eddie Jackson. He relies on Jackson and looks for a smart presence to be in the right spots next to him. Lastly, we know that Ryan Pace likes to find safeties from small schools in the draft.

Deiondre Hall and DeAndre Houston-Carson fit that bill. For DHC, the Bears have a long-term special team helper, and considering the draft slot, it is hard to say that he was a miss. Uphoff could stick on the roster for that long, even if he does not appear next to Jackson. Adding a special teams safety from a small school is a potential Pace move we should prepare for.

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