Where have all the NFL's small school prospects gone?

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Grey Zabel hesitated. The North Dakota State tackle didn't know if he should answer the question posed by a reporter. The two-time FCS national champion played five seasons for the Bison, and was one of seven FCS players invited to the NFL combine this year, the smallest number of small school prospects, defined as players who most recently played below the Division I FBS level, in a decade. Zabel said he had a few offers from bigger programs to enter the transfer portal.

How much money did you leave on the table by not entering the transfer portal for a Power 4 FBS program last year?

"That's a tough answer," Zabel said, and paused to think about his words.…