Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 25, 2008 15:20:29 GMT -5
collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=765658
Nelson Among Group Out to Earn Spot
Steve Megargee
Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer
MOBILE, Ala. — Wide receiver Jordy Nelson arrived at Kansas State as a walk-on and departed as a consensus All-American.
Now he has to prove himself all over again.
He set 11 school records this season while catching 122 passes for 1,606 yards, but Nelson still faces skepticism about whether he can be anything more than a complementary receiver in the NFL.
Jordy Nelson proved himself at Kansas State and plans to prove himself worthy of an NFL roster spot.
"It's all right," Nelson said. "That's the way I like to do it. Just come in and walk on and try to prove people wrong."
Nelson isn't the only former college star trying to prove a whole bunch of people wrong. Nelson, UCLA defensive end/linebacker Bruce Davis and Notre Dame defensive lineman Trevor Laws would have reason to commiserate during this week's Senior Bowl practices if they didn't all possess such upbeat attitudes.
All three ranked among the nation's best players at their respective positions last fall, yet none should expect to get taken on the first day of the NFL Draft.
Don't blame it on a lack of production: Nelson caught 11 touchdown passes this season, Laws led all defensive linemen nationally with 112 tackles and Davis has recorded at least 12 tackles for loss each of the past two seasons.
And don't blame it on off-field issues: All three were model teammates who never got into any trouble.
The culprit in this case is genetics.
Davis and Laws lack the ideal size for an NFL defensive lineman; Davis almost certainly will have to move to linebacker, a position he hasn't played since his sophomore year. And Nelson isn't seen as having the speed required of an elite receiver.
Laws offers the obvious rebuttal to those arguments.
"If people turn on the game film, they can see what kind of player I am," Laws said. "I made 112 tackles this year. Just turn on the film. They can see what I can do out there."
Scouts actually don't need to turn on the film. They just need to talk to guys who have played against each of these former college stars.
Ask Texas safety Marcus Griffin if he thinks Nelson can contribute to an NFL team. Griffin watched Nelson riddle the Texas secondary as Kansas State upset the Longhorns in each of the past two seasons.
"He's a complete football player," Griffin said. "He's one of those guys you want on your team because he always makes the big plays."
Ask USC offensive tackle Sam Baker, considered a likely first-round pick, if he believes Davis could develop into a quality NFL player. Davis played a pivotal role in UCLA's 13-9 upset of USC in 2006 that ended the Trojans' national-championship aspirations.
"I have no doubt that he will," Baker said.
As well as these guys played in college, though, there is justifiable cause for concern that they can match that success in the NFL.
Davis weighs only 241 pounds and might not be able to bulk up enough to play defensive end for most teams. But he doesn't have a whole lot of experience at linebacker.
"He's a sixth- or seventh-round pick if you like him and can find a spot for him," said Frank Coyle of draftinsiders.com. "If you can't find a spot for him, you don't draft him. Maybe somebody will say he rushes the passer and you can use him as a situational guy, or he runs well enough to do something on special teams. But I don't know how you could take him early. He just can't play with his hand down in the NFL."
Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin isn't so sure about that. Kiffin coaches the North team that includes Davis and coached against him during his years as USC's offensive coordinator.
"It depends on the scheme you play," Kiffin said. "There are guys his size who rush the passer. He's a guy who can do both (defensive end or linebacker)."
Davis insists he can do whatever it takes to get on the field. He played outside linebacker at UCLA for part of the 2005 season before developing into an All-America defensive end. He has played linebacker during Senior Bowl workouts and is willing to play either position in the NFL.
"I could even play defensive end," Davis said. "Some of those teams, like the Colts, like those smaller speed rushers, active guys. It doesn't matter to me. At this point, I'm just trying to get in the league. I play special teams as well. If that's what it's got to be, that's what it will be."
Laws also is looking for a permanent home after playing defensive end and defensive tackle at Notre Dame. Is he a defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme? Is he a defensive end? Or is he a nose guard in a 3-4 defense?
He said he feels comfortable at any of those positions, though his stocky frame probably makes him fit the mold of an interior player. But he weighs 297 pounds and is just shy of 6 feet 1, which is plenty big for just about any other profession but makes him just a tad small by NFL defensive tackle standards.
"I've heard some size concerns, but I'm (almost) 300 pounds," Laws said. "I don't think I'm that small anymore."
Size isn't the issue for Nelson, whose sculpted 6-2 frame puts him right in line with the other Senior Bowl receivers. The issue is his speed, which might seem puzzling when you look at Nelson's high school and college achievements.
Nelson won state titles in the 100, 200, 400 and long jump while competing on the track team at Riley (Kan.) Riley County High, and he was fast enough to return two punts for touchdowns this season. But he admittedly hasn't looked like one of the speediest receivers in the Senior Bowl workouts.
Kiffin acknowledged the speed concerns Thursday while praising Nelson's receiving ability. Kiffin noted that Nelson probably needed to perform well in the Senior Bowl.
"He's got phenomenal hands," Kiffin said. "He's a really big-time catcher. He's not the fastest guy, but he works extremely hard to catch the ball."
If Nelson feels any pressure about having to deliver a big performance in the Senior Bowl or a faster-than-expected time at the NFL Scouting Combine next month, he's not letting it show.
After all, this isn't exactly the first time he's dealt with criticism.
"It gives you something to keep working for," Nelson said. "If you were given everything, it wouldn't be as much fun. When you earn something, it makes you feel that much better."
Nelson Among Group Out to Earn Spot
Steve Megargee
Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer
MOBILE, Ala. — Wide receiver Jordy Nelson arrived at Kansas State as a walk-on and departed as a consensus All-American.
Now he has to prove himself all over again.
He set 11 school records this season while catching 122 passes for 1,606 yards, but Nelson still faces skepticism about whether he can be anything more than a complementary receiver in the NFL.
Jordy Nelson proved himself at Kansas State and plans to prove himself worthy of an NFL roster spot.
"It's all right," Nelson said. "That's the way I like to do it. Just come in and walk on and try to prove people wrong."
Nelson isn't the only former college star trying to prove a whole bunch of people wrong. Nelson, UCLA defensive end/linebacker Bruce Davis and Notre Dame defensive lineman Trevor Laws would have reason to commiserate during this week's Senior Bowl practices if they didn't all possess such upbeat attitudes.
All three ranked among the nation's best players at their respective positions last fall, yet none should expect to get taken on the first day of the NFL Draft.
Don't blame it on a lack of production: Nelson caught 11 touchdown passes this season, Laws led all defensive linemen nationally with 112 tackles and Davis has recorded at least 12 tackles for loss each of the past two seasons.
And don't blame it on off-field issues: All three were model teammates who never got into any trouble.
The culprit in this case is genetics.
Davis and Laws lack the ideal size for an NFL defensive lineman; Davis almost certainly will have to move to linebacker, a position he hasn't played since his sophomore year. And Nelson isn't seen as having the speed required of an elite receiver.
Laws offers the obvious rebuttal to those arguments.
"If people turn on the game film, they can see what kind of player I am," Laws said. "I made 112 tackles this year. Just turn on the film. They can see what I can do out there."
Scouts actually don't need to turn on the film. They just need to talk to guys who have played against each of these former college stars.
Ask Texas safety Marcus Griffin if he thinks Nelson can contribute to an NFL team. Griffin watched Nelson riddle the Texas secondary as Kansas State upset the Longhorns in each of the past two seasons.
"He's a complete football player," Griffin said. "He's one of those guys you want on your team because he always makes the big plays."
Ask USC offensive tackle Sam Baker, considered a likely first-round pick, if he believes Davis could develop into a quality NFL player. Davis played a pivotal role in UCLA's 13-9 upset of USC in 2006 that ended the Trojans' national-championship aspirations.
"I have no doubt that he will," Baker said.
As well as these guys played in college, though, there is justifiable cause for concern that they can match that success in the NFL.
Davis weighs only 241 pounds and might not be able to bulk up enough to play defensive end for most teams. But he doesn't have a whole lot of experience at linebacker.
"He's a sixth- or seventh-round pick if you like him and can find a spot for him," said Frank Coyle of draftinsiders.com. "If you can't find a spot for him, you don't draft him. Maybe somebody will say he rushes the passer and you can use him as a situational guy, or he runs well enough to do something on special teams. But I don't know how you could take him early. He just can't play with his hand down in the NFL."
Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin isn't so sure about that. Kiffin coaches the North team that includes Davis and coached against him during his years as USC's offensive coordinator.
"It depends on the scheme you play," Kiffin said. "There are guys his size who rush the passer. He's a guy who can do both (defensive end or linebacker)."
Davis insists he can do whatever it takes to get on the field. He played outside linebacker at UCLA for part of the 2005 season before developing into an All-America defensive end. He has played linebacker during Senior Bowl workouts and is willing to play either position in the NFL.
"I could even play defensive end," Davis said. "Some of those teams, like the Colts, like those smaller speed rushers, active guys. It doesn't matter to me. At this point, I'm just trying to get in the league. I play special teams as well. If that's what it's got to be, that's what it will be."
Laws also is looking for a permanent home after playing defensive end and defensive tackle at Notre Dame. Is he a defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme? Is he a defensive end? Or is he a nose guard in a 3-4 defense?
He said he feels comfortable at any of those positions, though his stocky frame probably makes him fit the mold of an interior player. But he weighs 297 pounds and is just shy of 6 feet 1, which is plenty big for just about any other profession but makes him just a tad small by NFL defensive tackle standards.
"I've heard some size concerns, but I'm (almost) 300 pounds," Laws said. "I don't think I'm that small anymore."
Size isn't the issue for Nelson, whose sculpted 6-2 frame puts him right in line with the other Senior Bowl receivers. The issue is his speed, which might seem puzzling when you look at Nelson's high school and college achievements.
Nelson won state titles in the 100, 200, 400 and long jump while competing on the track team at Riley (Kan.) Riley County High, and he was fast enough to return two punts for touchdowns this season. But he admittedly hasn't looked like one of the speediest receivers in the Senior Bowl workouts.
Kiffin acknowledged the speed concerns Thursday while praising Nelson's receiving ability. Kiffin noted that Nelson probably needed to perform well in the Senior Bowl.
"He's got phenomenal hands," Kiffin said. "He's a really big-time catcher. He's not the fastest guy, but he works extremely hard to catch the ball."
If Nelson feels any pressure about having to deliver a big performance in the Senior Bowl or a faster-than-expected time at the NFL Scouting Combine next month, he's not letting it show.
After all, this isn't exactly the first time he's dealt with criticism.
"It gives you something to keep working for," Nelson said. "If you were given everything, it wouldn't be as much fun. When you earn something, it makes you feel that much better."