The Journey Of A Small School Prospect

[AJ Young]

Here is an interesting article looking at the difficulties that small school prospects face in getting an opportunity to achieve their dream. It looks at the difficulties of getting an agent to represent you, getting an opportunity to show yourself before scouts and the financial tolls of trying to make it to the next level - worth a read:

 

http://www.downattheone.com/NFL/The-journey-of-a-small-school-draft-prospect

 

Thoughts, opinions?

[Canton Mike]

From the article:

AJ: Small school guys have something that highly touted, highly drafted prospects don't have; hunger. Teams like New England and Indianapolis find these small school guys who might not be as athletically gifted but they work their way onto the team and have the hunger and desire to prove themselves. They have that chip on their shoulder, the bit between their teeth. It's no coincidence that you see the likes of Aaron Curry and Rolando McClain released by NFL teams only two years after being drafted in the top ten; they were handed their millions and as far as they were concerned, they'd made it and were content to sit back. Small school guys have to scrap and fight their way onto NFL rosters and when they finally make it, there's no sitting back because they appreciate and value their opportunities. Remember how a couple of seasons ago Dez Bryant made news in training camp after refusing to carry a veteran's pads? Small schoolers don’t have the sense of entitlement that highly picked players have, nothing's below them, they’re not afraid to work at getting better. First round picks might be Pro Bowlers but most fizzle into nothing or have bad attitudes; small school players and undrafteds, they're football players.

 

 

That last paragraph relating to HUNGER is why I have ALWAYS been a fan of small school guys. Paul Brown was a genius at finding small school gems like Leroy Kelly (Morgan State) & others. Years ago, the draft had 20 rounds & later rounds were largely used for small school talent. Now, these players are found AFTER the draft as undrafted free agents. There are certainly some diamonds to be found in small schools. These guys are fun to follow through training camp & pre-season. Their work ethic is often "off the charts" as they expect (and GET) no breaks because of where drafted or their press clippings.

 

 

Thanks for a nice read!

 

Mike