On this edition of Robbing the Bank, Kynnedi Banks focuses on her top three D-II standouts that she thinks will make some waves in the NFL.

Past D-II football players Tyreek Hill, Adam Thielen and Brandon Williams, just to name a few, have all risen to the highest point in the NFL and these three prospects have the potential to climb their way to the top.

Melvin Smith Jr, a DB from Southern Arkansas, was the only D-II player to be invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl this year.

Smith showed off his skills, athleticism and his ability to excel in press coverage where his patience and precise footwork caught the eye of some NFL scouts, leading to meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs.

He really shines off the line of scrimmage where his impressive speed and hip fluidity enable him to run with a receiver on the deep routes with excellent coverage.

Tanner Volk is the most highly awarded player in D-II and he has the film to prove why he should be.

Volk is a DB from Central Washington and he is the only Wildcat to win the Cliff Harris Award, which is given to the best defensive player in D-II.

He is a multi-time All-American and a two time Lone-Star Conference Player of the Year.

Volk might just be the biggest ball hawk in D-II, with 24 interceptions in his career, and 13 coming in his biggest award season in 2023. He didn’t get many targets this past season because opposing quarterbacks learned their lesson.

Micah Crestinger might just end up being one of the biggest steals of the 2025 draft down the road.

The standout linebacker from Saginaw Valley State is one of the most NFL ready prospects. 6 ‘2, 240 pounds and though he wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, with his pro day numbers, Crestinger would’ve ranked within the top 10 in Bench Press, 20-yd shuttle, 40-yd dash and 3-cone drill.

Crestinger was a tackling maniac with 271 total tackles in his career, 32.5 going for a loss and 7.5 sacks.

He’ll be a highly coveted pick for teams hoping for big production in the later rounds.