Wheeling, W. Va. - When you look at the NFL Draft prospects, you will see a lot of players from the top Division I schools across the country get recognized. NFL Draft Diamonds is an organization that goes around the country evaluating athletes from smaller schools in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA, who have the potential to play at the next level. They have released their 2023 Small School Prospect Watch List for the upcoming season and a pair of Wheeling University Football players were listed out of 600 student-athletes honored. Defensive Lineman Brandon Munoz and cornerback Rich White III each made the list after having big showings during the 2021 season. 

The Wheeling University Football team finished in a tie for sixth place last season in the conference, while putting together their best season in program history. They set the program record for wins in a season going 5-6 overall and 5-5 in conference play thanks in large part to the work of the defense. They were tied for the fourth highest scoring defense in the Mountain East Conference (MEC), ranked fourth in interceptions, and tied for seventh in sacks. They allowed just 21.7 points per game last season and had the first shutout victory in program history when they defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 38-0 on October 2nd, 2021. 

Leading the way on the defensive line was Munoz, who earned the third All-MEC honor of his career when he was named an All-MEC Honorable Mention. The redshirt senior had 43.0 total tackles last season, including 11.0 tackles for loss totaling 66 yards. He was tied for eighth in the conference with 7.0 sacks last season and finished fifth in the conference with 60 yards off sacks. Munoz will once again anchor the Cardinals defensive line as an edge rusher and is looking to establish himself as one of the top defensive linemen in not only the MEC but in Division II. 

White was the leader in the Cardinals secondary last season and was routinely tasked with guarding the opposition's top receiver. He did so by causing a career-high 16 pass breakups and finished tied for the MEC lead in that category. He also hauled in two interceptions during the year while making 36.0 total tackles and two tackles for loss. This season, White will once again be looked at as a leader for the Cardinals secondary and hopes to build off last year's success. 

The Wheeling University Football team reports to camp on Saturday August 6th as they prepare for the upcoming 2023 season. They open the year with a Thursday night special on September 1st when the team hosts Seton Hill at 7 PM.