FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[bulldogalum]

Not to worry, ACRULZ, hearsay is admissible in this forum, although it is treated accordingly.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

bulldogalum, ACRULZ and D3DB:

LAst time I spoke with Taz things had fallen through in the NFL, his agent really didnt do much work for him and Taz fired him shortly after the Lions Camp, because the agent didnt do any work there wasnt much else out there for him NFL wise.  The other leagues were all playing their seasons already and therefore interest was low there as well.  He will be out of football for now, but is still pursuing avenues in the AFL and CFL as well as always listening to any interest from the NFL.  I believe also that he is finishing his degree at Adrian, it would be great to see him finish up and go for it with the new All American Football League that there is talk of starting up.  Needless to say that he is a very balanced person and as much as he loves football wont let it define him and he realizes that which is good.  I wish him the best of luck and hope all others do as well.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Did a little Google research and found out some background on Adrian Colleges QB transfer.  His name is Mike McGee, got that much from the roster and he is a Columbus area native, played for Brookhaven High school and over his last two years passed for 3745 yards and 46 touchdowns, leading Brookhaven to the Division II Title as a junior.  He was a walk on at Ohio University this past fall and was red shirted thus transfers in with 4 years of eligibility for the Bulldogs.  If his numbers in HS are any indication of what he is going to do at Adrian things could be looking very good for the black and gold this fall.  Sounds like he is a great transfer in and it should be exciting to see how things shake out with him and the returners from Adrian come the season opener. 

[HOF]

Talk about the new football league and in today's www.freep.com you find a story on the league.  Ironic. 

I heard from a friend that Brehm is waiting right now as well, but is ready to just move on.  I give those two (Wallace and Brehm) a ton of credit.  Not many players who have the chance to be in a NFL camp can just let the dream die and move on.  But it sounds as if these two will be doing just that and I have more respect for them moving onto their professional lives.  That is a big decision.  My source also tells me that he believes Wallace and Brehm are pretty close and talk quite a bit.  Pretty cool if true.

Think back now...we had two of the most noted players in the MIAA last year in the history of the league.  Brehm was the DIII Heisman, while Wallace broke or ranks up to the top of numerous NCAA records.  I think he holds a couple.

Congrats once agian to them.

Now...who will be next....

[DutchDad]

HOF:

For what it is worth, this appeared in a story in the Holland Sentinel this week:

Hope College senior Matt Rugenstein dominated the line of scrimmage so much last year that he is getting looks from NFL teams

Rugenstein, who was the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year and an All-American selection, had a combine workout for the Detroit Lions this summer. He also was called by the New York Jets before he started practice for the MIAA season.

"Just thinking there's a chance you could play at the highest level is pretty exciting," Rugenstein said. "A guy from Ohio Northern (a Division III school) signed with the Jets last year, and he's about my size."

That size is 6 feet, 5 inches and 255 pounds.

"He is that big and he can run and catch," said Hope coach Dean Kreps. "I don't know where he would fit in the NFL, but he could fit somewhere."

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Dutchdad:

Having seen both of those players play (Trusnik and Rugenstein) I can honestly say that Rugenstein would appear to be the better prospect.  He is a play maker in all aspects of the game and the best combination of size, speed and strength I have seen in the last 7 years in the MIAA.  His ability to play the run and the pass from the line as well as to drop back and cover WR's is something you generally dont see out of DE's in Division III.  I would agree with Coach Kreps that Im not sure where he would fit, but I would guess someone may take a flier on him as an OLB type much like the jets are doing with Trusnik from ONU, everyone loves athletic OLB's that can rush the passer.  I look forward to watching Rugenstein play this year.

[Carl Yastrzemski]

I question the combine workout with the Lions. It is illegal for an NFL team to tryout  a player who still has eligibility.

[DutchDad]

From the NCAA rules on eligibility:

E. Tryout After Enrollment. A student-athlete shall not try out with a professional athletics team in a sport or permit a professional athletics team to conduct medical examinations during any part of the academic year (i.e., from the beginning of the fall term through completion of the spring term, including any intervening vacation period) while enrolled in a collegiate institution as a regular student in at least a minimum full-time academic load, unless the student-athlete has exhausted eligibility in that sport.

The student-athlete may try out with a professional organization in a sport during the summer or during the academic year while not a full-time student, provided the student-athlete does not receive any form of expenses or other compensation from the professional organization. [12.2.1.2]

[Carl Yastrzemski]

I never stated it was an issue with the NCAA regarding eligibility. It is an issue with the NFL and the rules within their league. I may have gone over the edge calling it illegal, but NFL teams simply do not hold combines for kids in the summer who still have eligibility. One reason is college coaches wouldn't allow it due to risk of injury.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Carl Yastrzemski:

I believe the stumbling block here is calling it a combine when in actuallity that is not what it is at all.  Taz was worked out by two NFL teams (Lions and Jets) in the spring of his junior year.  This workout was done on campus at Adrian and was conducted by only two scouts with no one else present.  He was recorded in three 40 yard dashes, and they took his height, weight and measurments as well as having him take what I believe was a wonderlic test.  At no point was he tested in agility, bench vertical or position drills.  This is a very basic workout which just gets some minimals stats on players before their senior years to give NFL teams a bit more info.  I spoke with both scouts and they had just come from doing the same testing up at GVSU.  It is not a combine in that sense, players dont need to travel, there are no expenses and no benefits gained so it is completely kosher.

[D306]

Anybody see any of the inter-squad games today and I think Saturday also.

I know Albions was today, I could not attend anyone have any comments on how they looked?

Should be some scrimmages coming up in the next week also so the time is close.

I am sure the players are ready to play somebody besides themselves and be done with 2 a days.

[Carl Yastrzemski]

Before I first posted, I asked the question to a number of Scouts I know around the NFL. I heard back from scouts with 9 different teams(two of which are the head of scouting for their team), and all had the same response that nobody in the NFL tests or holds a workout for student-athletes with eligibility.  I got the same response when I asked a couple of ex-NFL assistant coaches. I guess the Liedowns and the Jets are in the minority and they do workout/test student-athletes with eligibility remaining.

D306,
I was able to catch a scrimmage yesterday. The team I watched had some unreal talent, stuff that hasn't been seen around the MIAA for a long time. During the whole scrimmage, I didn't see one missed tackle, one incomplete pass, one fumble or interception. However, I also didn't see one player or coach on the field. I am new to the Grand Rapids area, and a former friend (as of yesterday) told me I should go check out the Calvin College Knights football team, as they were holding a practice open to the public. Now I know why everyone looked at me like I had two heads when I asked where the football team was practicing. What a waste of a good Saturday.

[D306]

Yaz


Welcome to Michigan, you will Love West Michigan.
Great area growing and great wildlife, Beachs etc...

LOL You will find Calvin does have a very good BBall Team, and Track and Field.
Would like to see them get FB, do not think it will happen anytime soon.

Everybody enjoy the Liedowns today, I think the 10 wins Kitna projected will have to include preseason to get any where close but I admit they are improving.
Should air the ball out and look like WAC football exciting but gets smoked by any real teams. A few more years before they are a solid if they do not implode, need some talent in Defensive side after a few possibles if they stay healthy.

[old 40]

Carl Y;
I never post on this league site. I am a former NFL scout, Retired last year. You are most correct as most teams work out D2,D3 and NAIA in their Senoir year usually during the season or right after. I never did full workouts during their seson. Usually observe practice, watch film and measure. Watching practice helps you evauluate Body type, feet, quickness, flexibility, etc.

Have I ever done some evaluating in the summer before a senoirs season? Yes, generally as a favor to a friend who is a coach who may have a borderline prospect. My son is a D3 Head coach and I usually evauate his talent every year. This was not at the direction of our team. IMO, some of the scouts do things like this and are interpreted the wrong way.

[formerd3db]

DAWG and HOF:
Nicely said about Brehm and Wallace.  I, too, wish them all the best in whatever life brings their way next, whether football is involved or not.

Carl Y:
Sounds like you got "taken" for a moment there, sorry   We would have helped you out for sure if you would have asked us here and/or you could have checked the MIAA listing (standings) of teams in the league right here on this website.  At any rate, I join in welcoming you to our state and league area.  Besides, Hope, you have GVSU and GRJC in your immediate area as well (and Western Mich if you want to count it that far) for college fb.  Glad to have you around and we'll look forward to your posts and contributions here on our page as you see fit to do so.  Again, welcome.