FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[footballfan413]

Whitewater and Stout held a pro day together today at the Williams Center.  The four athlete's participating were Pete Schmidt, Derek Stanley, Jesse Wendt, and Ryan Englebert.  Listed below are the 40 yard dash times of each guy. 

Pete Schmidt - 4.81 / 4.84
Derek Stanley - 4.54 / 4.55
Ryan Englebert - 4.52 / 4.58
Jesse Wendt - 4.44 / 4.46

I spoke with a couple of guys from next years team who were in attendance and they said Wendt and Schmidt were very impressive in the testing, and all 4 did an excellent job in position drills.

Here are the 40's from the top 8 TE's and top 10 WR's and RB's from the 2007 NFL combine as posted on their web site. (#2 Allen is the first D-3 player to ever be invited to the official televised combine.)  Schmidt's 4.81 is right there as I remember watching some TE's run 40's in the 4.9's and above at that combine.  Derek's was slow but I believe I remember him not being able to even test about a month ago at Madison because he irritated a hammie so that may be the reason.  He is on record  running in the 4.3's, I believe, and the scouts have been watching him for over a year. Even though it is slow for him, he still would have placed right after the 10 spot as well.  Englebert would have placed just after number 10 and Wendt's time would have tied for 7th!!!!  Thought this comparison would help to put their times in perspective with the NFL combine players. In this light, they are very good times, in IMHO. This combine was comprised of some "draft," players and "bubble," players.   Of course, speed is just part of what the scouts will be looking at.   Continued good luck to them all.

Group 3 (TE) -- Top Eight Results: 40-Yard Dash 
1. Greg Olsen  Miami (Fla.)  4.51 
2. Michael Allan  Whitworth  4.71 
3. Gijon Robinson  Missouri Western St.  4.71 
4. Ben Patrick  Delaware  4.74 
5. Derek Schouman  Boise St.  4.74 
6. Dante Rosario  Oregon  4.76 
7. Kevin Boss  Western Oregon  4.78 
8. Scott Chandler  Iowa  4.78

Group 6 (RB) -- Top 10 Results: 40-Yard Dash
1. Chris Henry  Arizona  4.40 
2. Adrian Peterson  Oklahoma  4.40 
3. Antonio Pittman  Ohio St.  4.40 
4. Kenny Irons  Auburn  4.45 
5. Lorenzo Booker  Florida St  4.46 
6. Marshawn Lynch  Cal  4.46 
7. DeShawn Wynn  Florida  4.48 
8. Alonzo Coleman  Hampton  4.49 
9. Ramonce Taylor  Texas  4.50 
10. Kolby Smith  Louisville  4.51

Group 5 (WR) -- Top 10 Results: 40-Yard Dash 
1. Mike Walker  Central Florida  4.35 
2. Laurent Robinson  Illinois St.  4.38 
3. Robert Meachem  Tennessee  4.39 
4. Mike Mason  Tennessee St.  4.40 
5. Legedu Naanee  Boise St.  4.41 
6. Chandler Williams  Florida Int.  4.42 
7. Steve Smith  Southern Cal  4.44 
8. Paul Williams  Fresno St.  4.45 
9. Ryne Robinson  Miami-Ohio  4.47 
10. Courtney Taylor  Auburn  4.50 

[Madhawk]

None of the receivers on that combine list are even close to Wendt when it comes to size and strength.  There is a possibility that a team could convert him to a tight end at the next level.  Personally after watching him play I feel this would be a better fit for him as he is not as natural of a receiver as Stanley.

[footballfan413]

None of the receivers on that combine list are even close to Wendt when it comes to size and strength.  There is a possibility that a team could convert him to a tight end at the next level.  Personally after watching him play I feel this would be a better fit for him as he is not as natural of a receiver as Stanley.

Size is what I was referring to when I said that speed is only part of it.  I am not sure that Schmidt and Stanley have true NFL size at their positions, (but Schmidt is close.)  Wendt would have an even harder time at having the size needed to play TE at the next level, IMO.  But he has the size at WR.

[Just Bill]

I think Wendt's age is going to work against him as well.  Any one of these guys will need a few years to develop and I'm not sure a team would make the investment in Wendt since he's a couple years older than a traditional senior.

[Madhawk]

I do agree, the age thing may hurt Wendt and Englebert.  I believe Jesse is 27 and Englebert is 25.  It would have been nice to see what Englebert could have run had he not been in the horrific car accident 3 years ago.  You have got to give the kid credit, with all he has been through a 4.5 is still a blazing time.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but I suspect that none will get drafted.  If Blake or Brett Elliot didn't get drafted the past few years, I don't see any of these guys doing it.  Some of them may sign free agent contracts but it will be a long road ahead.

I am not saying that I am not pulling for these guys, because it is good for all DIII for guys to make it to the big time, just trying to be realistic.  I thought that we have had some pretty darn good players at Mount Union over the past decade and a few of them (Ballard, Kern, and Adamson) had their short time in the NFL, but none were drafted.

I think that there is just too much prejudice against guys from small schools.

I hope I am wrong this year, but am not betting on it.

[J44]

I agree it would have been interesting to see what Englebert would have run had he not been involved in that horrible car accident that left doctors saying he would be lucky to walk normal again..  Still a 4.48 on what seemd to be relatively slow clocks is amazing.  I think after watching Stanley playing the past four years we would all agree he is faster than a 4.55.  Good  luck to all these guys for their dedication to making the WIAC proud!

[Just Bill]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but I suspect that none will get drafted.  If Blake or Brett Elliot didn't get drafted the past few years, I don't see any of these guys doing it.  Some of them may sign free agent contracts but it will be a long road ahead.

I am not saying that I am not pulling for these guys, because it is good for all DIII for guys to make it to the big time, just trying to be realistic.  I thought that we have had some pretty darn good players at Mount Union over the past decade and a few of them (Ballard, Kern, and Adamson) had their short time in the NFL, but none were drafted.

I think that there is just too much prejudice against guys from small schools.

I hope I am wrong this year, but am not betting on it.

I don't think anybody mentioned getting drafted.  All the comments I see are about getting picked up (ie, free agent), or AFL and CFL opportunities.  I think we all understand the reality of the situation, but thanks for your concern anyway.

[footballfan413]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but I suspect that none will get drafted.  If Blake or Brett Elliot didn't get drafted the past few years, I don't see any of these guys doing it.  Some of them may sign free agent contracts but it will be a long road ahead.

I am not saying that I am not pulling for these guys, because it is good for all DIII for guys to make it to the big time, just trying to be realistic.  I thought that we have had some pretty darn good players at Mount Union over the past decade and a few of them (Ballard, Kern, and Adamson) had their short time in the NFL, but none were drafted.

I think that there is just too much prejudice against guys from small schools.

I hope I am wrong this year, but am not betting on it.

I don't think anybody mentioned getting drafted.  All the comments I see are about getting picked up (ie, free agent), or AFL and CFL opportunities.  I think we all understand the reality of the situation, but thanks for your concern anyway.

Took the words right out of my mouth, Just Bill!!

I think because there is an overall prejudice against D-3 players, scouts and teams know they don't have to use a draft pick if they find a "diamond in the rough," at this level.  Elliot was signed within hours of the draft ending.

[ihavesomething2say]

One thing about Stanleys speed..... somethings that made him look so fast is explosion(proven with a 37 inch vert) his quickness and having shorter legs makes you look faster... These 3 elements are probably what made him look faster than he might really be.... And NO!! Im not saying he is slow.... were there any results for an agility drill.

[ihavesomething2say]

The reason teams dont draft DIII players is because if they dont pan out people will be all over the GM's for drafting a kid who didnt play against the level of talent that all DI players go against...  so the GM's protect themselves by not drafting them and signing them to free agent contracts... This way they dont waste a pick on a DIII kid that Mel Kiper and the rest of the world will rip apart.

[chmarx]

And the truth is that the critics would have a good point.

[footballfan413]

The reason teams dont draft DIII players is because if they dont pan out people will be all over the GM's for drafting a kid who didnt play against the level of talent that all DI players go against...  so the GM's protect themselves by not drafting them and signing them to free agent contracts... This way they dont waste a pick on a DIII kid that Mel Kiper and the rest of the world will rip apart.

Good point.  It will be very interesting to see what happens to D-3 TE from Whitworth, Michael Allen,  in the draft.  As I stated earlier, the first player at this level to be invited to the official televised NFL combine.  He more than held his own posting the 2nd best 40 time, (tied), #1 broad jump and with the 2nd highest verticle leap.  But his bench was down with only 19 reps. He is tall and his frame could easily use 20 or more lbs of muscle, IMO,  if put in the right program.  That would greatly improve his strength where he appears to be weak.   Anyway, they said that this years crop of TE prospects are down, so he may be the first player at this level with a real shot at a draft spot, (very, very late,)  in awhile.  Atleast, after the combine results, he surely is on everyone's radar.  I guess as Ihavesome2say put it, it will come down to whether one of the GM's has the balls to take a risk.............

[janesvilleflash]

I agree with everything said about the draft. I just have a feeling someone may bite on Wendt, based on his size, speed and strength. Hard for any team to pass on him in the late rounds.

[footballfan413]

Wouldn't that be great!!!  Hope you are right.