FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[matblake]

It is interesting to read about what the scouts are saying about Studebaker:
Rd. 6/203: Andy Studebaker, DE, Wheaton

"I really liked this kid. He's got a chance to be a better pass-rusher than the McNeese kid. Again, on the tape you're watching him play against inferior competition. But he dominated. He was a man among boys. Has good strength. He's wiry. Real good speed. Has a passion for the game. It's important to him. Very smart. We actually had him with a fifth-round grade.''

Cool, where did that come from Hiker?

[Jim Matson]

Honestly I can't remember - I was looking at a few scouting sites and I think this one was from an Eagles site that listed other scout's opinions of the Eagle's choices.

[orsky]

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/dneagles/A_scouts_view_of_the_Eagles_draft.html

The quote from Hiker came from here.

[matblake]

Thanks guys!  Incidentally, not that there was really any doubt, but it looks like the Eagles definitely have Studebaker pegged as a linebacker by assigning him the number 53.  http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/Roster.html

[HScoach]

Congrats to Studebaker from us on the OAC page.  Good luck!

[matblake]

I know that it is a post draft news conference and it would be bad form to speak poorly of any of their draft picks, but here is Andy Reid speaking about the later round draft picks, he speaks very highly of Studebaker.  Cool to have your alma mater referred to in a NFL press conference. 
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/multimedia/   Select "Andy Reid: 2008 Draft Recap"

[Jim Matson]

The key line from the above mentioned video is "we'll see how that [talent] tranfers to this level..."

I really hope that these small college guys (Mays, Studebaker, Garcon) make in impact in their respective programs.

[themadswede]

I don't doubt that Studebaker has the physical and mental skills to get a contract and make an NFL season roster, but I'm not thrilled about putting him at LB.   I've seen him play quite a bit and it's a strange leap one has to make when not having that hand on the ground at the snap of the ball and (especially) having to cover receivers downfield.  His mutant-ish physical skills will help, but I think this puts him at a disadvantage from the get-go -- although I suppose teams like a special teams guy that's a twofer with the ability to be a long-yardage specialist or something like that.

I'm also skeptical about some people viewing this as some sort of validation of D3 football or something.  I am thrilled for Wheaton and the potential recruiting impact and I am thrilled for Andy, but having played the D3 game, it makes perfect sense that D3 guys, D2 guys and most D1 guys end up as computer programmers or salesman or fireman or entrepreneurs or whatever, and not professional athletes.  There's just not a lot of room in the "best in the entire word" category.  Andy's drafting says a lot about Andy, but not as much about D3 athletics.

I am sure anyone that played against me would agree wholeheartedly!

[matblake]

I'm also skeptical about some people viewing this as some sort of validation of D3 football or something. 

I'll admit that I'm very excited about the drafting of Studebaker and Garcon, and the signings of other multiple D3 players.  I don't view the drafting as a validation of D3 or anything (although my reply #14374 on page 59 could be viewed that way), but as an exciting thing where players I've been able to follow, thanks to this website, get to do something I dreamed about as a kid, but did not posess the physical skills to accomplish.  Sort of a living vicariously thing, I guess.

There's just not a lot of room in the "best in the entire word" category. 

I have to agree with that.  There's no doubt that Andy, Pierre, and the others face an uphill battle in the coming days, weeks, and months.  There's only a certain number of slots and a lot of people trying to get them.  Definitely not doubting they can do it, but the NFL numbers game is a tricky thing. 

[matblake]

The key line from the above mentioned video is "we'll see how that [talent] tranfers to this level..."

Agreed.

[CardinalAlum]

I don't doubt that Studebaker has the physical and mental skills to get a contract and make an NFL season roster, but I'm not thrilled about putting him at LB.   I've seen him play quite a bit and it's a strange leap one has to make when not having that hand on the ground at the snap of the ball and (especially) having to cover receivers downfield.  His mutant-ish physical skills will help, but I think this puts him at a disadvantage from the get-go -- although I suppose teams like a special teams guy that's a twofer with the ability to be a long-yardage specialist or something like that.

I'm also skeptical about some people viewing this as some sort of validation of D3 football or something.  I am thrilled for Wheaton and the potential recruiting impact and I am thrilled for Andy, but having played the D3 game, it makes perfect sense that D3 guys, D2 guys and most D1 guys end up as computer programmers or salesman or fireman or entrepreneurs or whatever, and not professional athletes.  There's just not a lot of room in the "best in the entire word" category.  Andy's drafting says a lot about Andy, but not as much about D3 athletics.

I am sure anyone that played against me would agree wholeheartedly!

Wow, was that a Mad Swede sighting?   

[usee]

interesting to me that the poll on the front page says over half the people polled think Garcon has significantly better chance than studebaker to make his respective NFL roster. I can't say I agree with a 51-16 differential. I wonder what the basis for that is? more OAC voters than CCIW? I don't know how anyone can predict why one of these guys might make it and the other won't. They both have harsh, uphill battles to fight to make their team.

[Pat Coleman]

I chalk it up to name recognition.

[matblake]

I chalk it up to name recognition.

Good point, Andy played only 5 games this year, and they were at the beginning of the season. 

[HScoach]

And the nation of D3 fans have watched Garcon in 3 Staggs.  I would venture to guess that very few fans outside of the CCIW have ever seen Studebaker play.