For a look at our list of the top players in the AAF this season, check out our Best 5 3 2 of the Alliance of American Football here.

The new professional football league, the Alliance of American Football, is giving players another shot at playing professional football. While a majority of the players currently signed with the AAF (about 65%) played their college ball at the highest level in the FBS, there are a handful that played on the Division 3 level. I’ve always been close to Division 3 football, having lived in Ashland, VA, home of Randolph-Macon College (even playing a year for the Yellow Jackets myself). D3 football is a different breed for one big reason—there are no athletic scholarships at the Division 3 level even though D3 football players go through the same grind, time schedules, and demands as guys at higher level schools. They play for the love of the game. So here is a look at the 12* D3 players looking to make a splash in the AAF.



Jake Payne, DE Shenandoah

Birmingham Iron

Background: It made me happy to see the ODAC represented in the AAF. Payne was a dominant force on defense throughout his career in the ODAC, earning 2nd-team honors as a sophomore, 1st-team as a junior, and Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior where he had 7 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He earned himself a tryout at both the Jets and Eagles rookie camps in 2016. He has spent the last 2 season playing defensive end for the Washington Valor, a new Arena Football League team in DC.

Film: Disciplined player with a high motor. Doesn’t have the quickest get-off but has quick hands which leads to some good pass rush moves. I see him best suited as a strong-side defensive end or even a Sam in a 3-4 set.



Brandon Neal, DB Thomas More University

Memphis Express

Background: Neal transferred to Thomas More University (in Crestview Hills, KY near his hometown of Cincinnati, OH) from Youngstown State. He comes from a football pedigree as his father played safety for Central Michigan and was drafted in the 11th round in 1981 by the Bengals where he played for 7 years. His brother, Braxton, is currently a WR at Cincinnati. In his senior year at Thomas More, Neal helped lead the Saints to a 9-1 record culminating in a loss in the first round of the playoffs in a 4 OT thriller with Wittenberg University. Neal finished the season with 43 tackles and 3 interceptions and was named 1st-team All-Conference. This lead to him getting a rookie camp invite from the Cincinnati Bengals.

Film: Neal’s measurables are right up there with those playing at the highest level. He shows great closing speed and jumping ability. Not afraid to stick his nose in to make a tackle. His combination of athleticism and tackling ability could make him an excellent slot corner.



Khalil Sommerville, DT Buffalo State

Salt Lake Stallions

Background: Sommerville was a big presence in the interior of the Bengals defense. He earned 2nd-team All-Empire 8 Conference honors in both his sophomore and junior years and 1st-team in his senior year, where he recorded 5.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He earned a shot at the Buffalo Bills rookie mini-camp this season.

Film: Great hands—both in hand fighting on pass rushing and shedding blockers in the run game. Showed a great ability to handle and split a double team. Will be interesting to see if that can translate against stronger competition.



Linkoln LaRoche, DE Bluffton

Atlanta Legends

Background: LaRoche earned 1st-team All-Heartland Conference honors playing defensive end for the Beavers. He finished his 2016 senior season with 7 sacks and 11 tackles for loss; his career 14 sacks is 5th all-time for Bluffton University. He is listed as a DT on the Legends roster but his size, 6’2″ 240lbs, will most likely have him playing end or, more likely, OLB.

Film: Showed strength at the D3 level but need to see how that translates to pro competition. Good hand fighting in pass rush but needs to work on shedding blocks especially if he ends up playing on the line.



Michael Baird, OG Wisconsin-Platteville

Atlanta Legends

Background: Baird anchored the RT position for the Pioneers. He started 4 games at the position as a sophomore before becoming a full time starter as a junior and senior. Baird is still very young in football years. He was homeschooled growing up so he didn’t have the opportunity to play organized football in school (I’m a strong supporter of the Tebow Bill btw). He focused on weightlifting instead and then tried out for the team after enrolling at UW-Platteville.

Film: Strong. Strength seems to be in the run game. Climbs well to the second level. Slow feet in pass set but this could be inexperience. Will move to guard at this level which better suits his skill set.



Aamir Petrose, DE Wesley

San Antonio Commanders

Background: Petrose was a 3 year starter for the Wolverines. He finished his senior year with 55 tackles, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception, earning 2nd-team All-American, 1st-team All-South Region, and Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Being a little undersized for his position he worked on developing his linebacker skills and earned a tryout with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Film: Good get-off and appears to have good instinct rushing the passer. Is sized more of a tweaner linebacker. Would be best suited as a pass rushing specialist in a 3-4.



Oscar White, DB Dubuque

San Antonio Commanders

Background: White was a 1st-team All-Iowa Conference defensive back and was named the Spartans’ Team MVP in his senior year. He spent the 2017 season playing for the Northland Bulls, an amateur team in the Northern Elite Football League.

Film: Really good hip movement. I think his skill set combined with his size has him better suited as a safety at this level.



Dimitrios Tsesmetzis, TE Western Connecticut State

San Antonio Commanders

Background: This is a big dude, measuring in at 6’6″ 240lbs. He just graduated from Western Connecticut State earning 2nd-team All-Conference honors.

Film: His size is immediately apparent, especially at the D3 level. He’s not going to blow any defenders away in open space but knows how to find the soft zone. Could make him a very valuable red zone target for the Commanders. Looked above average blocking but could still work on leverage.



Brandon Shed, WR Hobart

San Antonio Commanders

Background: Shed was a 3 year starter for the Statesmen. His junior year was his breakout season with 74 receptions for 1284 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning him 1st team All-American and preseason 1st team All-American going into his senior year. His stats regressed a bit in his senior season now being the primary target of defenses but he still earned 1st team All-Conference and finished his college career as the all-time receiving yards leader at Hobart. He ran a 4.5 40 and had a 36 inch vertical at his pro day. He earned an invite to the Vikings rookie mini camp this season.

Film: I’m surprised he’s not on an NFL roster right now. Clearly athletically gift and that combined with his size, 6’4″ 200lbs, really stand out on film. Good hands and has the ability to win 50/50 balls. Could be a tighter coming in and out of breaks running routes.



Ryan Schmidt, OT St. Lawrence

Orlando Apollos

Background: Schmidt was 1st-team All-Liberty League, in the same class with the eventual highest D3 NFL draft pick of all-time Ali Marpet and his now teammate Andrew Franks. He earned honorable mention All-Conference as a sophomore and junior as well. He has a pro-ready frame at 6’6″ 300lbs.

Film: Technically sound. Moves feet well. A little tight in the hips and I would expect a stronger punch from someone of his stature.



Andrew Franks, K RPI

Orlando Apollos

Background: 1 of 2 guys on this list with regular season NFL playing experience. He was a 2-time, 1st-team All-American (’13-’14) for the Engineers where he earned his degree in biomedical engineering. He signed with Miami as an UDFA in 2015 to compete with then Dolphins kicker Caleb Sturgis. He won the job and spent the next 2 seasons as the Dolphins kicker. He finished the 2016 season 16/21 on field goals with a long of 55 yards and 41/42 on extra points.



Donteea Dye, WR Heidelberg

Orlando Apollos

Background: Our 2nd player with regular season, NFL playing experience. Dye has spent time on and off the Tampa Bay Bucs practice squad and active roster from 2015-18, most recently cut from the Bucs this September. He ended up in the D3 ranks after a knee injury cost him most of his senior season in high school. During his time at Heidelberg, Dye was a 2nd-team All-American as a senior, catching 57 passes for 1,022 yards and 14 touchdowns. He went on to run a 4.45 40 at his pro day which combined with his 6′ 195lb frame made him a player scouts had to look at. He signed with the Bucs as an UDFA in 2015, seeing some playing time and accumulating 11 receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown. He has some of the most NFL experience of the wide receivers on the Apollos roster.

Film: Beyond the obvious speed, Dye is an excellent route runner. Great get-off and accelerates well out of breaks. I imagine he will be a top option for Apollo’s QB Garrett Gilbert.