D2 Players Making it in the NFL

[WalterCampFan]

What does a D2 player need to do to make it into the NFL?

What other activities or responsibilities will get them an invite to a bowl game or combine?

[Fightingscot82]

Re: D2 Players Making it in the NFL

For linemen, they need FBS size, tons of film of them dominating "lesser competition", and handwork & footwork that look like they can be coached up to NFL level.

For skill guys, size is a factor but to even get an honest look, they need a career with GONZO stats. Record breaking stats.

Everything is viewed through the lens of inferior competition. You'll see that tons in scouting reports, "This guy looks really good on paper and in person but you have to wonder about the level of competition he played against." Players, coaches, and agents have to sell a kid as being a freak overlooked in high school.

Unless there was previous success at the FBS level, can't have any character demerits.

[Braves'86]

Re: D2 Players Making it in the NFL

You need pinball game stats, an NFL body and/or a sub 4.4 forty time.

[GrifFan]

Re: D2 Players Making it in the NFL

I think this is changing, as scouts are better able to find athletes beyond Division 1. Adam Thielen is an example of a player who didn't put up video-game numbers in college but got his shot. I don't think Missouri Western's Leonard Wester was never more than honorable mention All-MIAA, but he's in his third season with Tampa.

[WalterCampFan]

Re: D2 Players Making it in the NFL

For linemen, they need FBS size, tons of film of them dominating "lesser competition", and handwork & footwork that look like they can be coached up to NFL level.

For skill guys, size is a factor but to even get an honest look, they need a career with GONZO stats. Record breaking stats.

Everything is viewed through the lens of inferior competition. You'll see that tons in scouting reports, "This guy looks really good on paper and in person but you have to wonder about the level of competition he played against." Players, coaches, and agents have to sell a kid as being a freak overlooked in high school.

Unless there was previous success at the FBS level, can't have any character demerits.

I think level of competition really affects their chances of being drafted.

[BlazerLady]

Re: D2 Players Making it in the NFL

Kenny Moore is not your average NFL type body, but he is showing that he can play the game. Defensive stat leader with Colts most every week.

[WalterCampFan]

Re: D2 Players Making it in the NFL

Surprisingly, the RMAC has recently produce some quality players that are actually playing on Sundays.

[SW_Mustang]

Re: D2 Players Making it in the NFL

I think this is changing, as scouts are better able to find athletes beyond Division 1. Adam Thielen is an example of a player who didn't put up video-game numbers in college but got his shot. I don't think Missouri Western's Leonard Wester was never more than honorable mention All-MIAA, but he's in his third season with Tampa.

I could be very much wrong, but I've really gotten the impression over the past few years that the Vikings have been trying to take chances on local guys from lower divisions. Adam Thielen is the standout obviously, but it just feels like they are looking at a lot of NSIC players.

[Raymond Franze]

Re: D2 Players Making it in the NFL

One thing that may help, is previous NFL success of players from the same program. That may help the top talent at a given school get more looks. I remember back when I was a student at Shepherd--James Rooths was an electrifying return specialist for the Rams and there was hope he did enough to make it into the NFL. And he did--albeit bouncing around. But at the time it had an "out-of-this-world" feeling to it that a Ram would make the NFL--kind of a once-in-a-lifetime event. Now Shepherd is hosting NFL Pro Days and has had a couple of players invited to the Combine. Tre Sullivan saw a lot of action with the Philadelphia Eagles' secondary the back half of the season recording 10+ solo tackles and several pass deflections in the playoffs. It can create a cycle. As more players from DII start and succeed in the NFL, the more quality athletes see DII as a viable option even for those with NFL aspirations, the more talent the NFL sees from DII, the more players selected from DII, repeat ....

[dunkone]

Re: D2 Players Making it in the NFL

One thing that may help, is previous NFL success of players from the same program. That may help the top talent at a given school get more looks. I remember back when I was a student at Shepherd--James Rooths was an electrifying return specialist for the Rams and there was hope he did enough to make it into the NFL. And he did--albeit bouncing around. But at the time it had an "out-of-this-world" feeling to it that a Ram would make the NFL--kind of a once-in-a-lifetime event. Now Shepherd is hosting NFL Pro Days and has had a couple of players invited to the Combine. Tre Sullivan saw a lot of action with the Philadelphia Eagles' secondary the back half of the season recording 10+ solo tackles and several pass deflections in the playoffs. It can create a cycle. As more players from DII start and succeed in the NFL, the more quality athletes see DII as a viable option even for those with NFL aspirations, the more talent the NFL sees from DII, the more players selected from DII, repeat ....

good point...and a kid like Tre didn't have crazy measurables at his pro day..just competed well vs. legit nfl prospects when he had to...