NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper lists Princeton's Kevin Davidson 15th among quarterback prospects but doesn't have Davidson or any Ivy Leaguer listed among his Top-300 players entering the draft.
A story on NFL.com, meanwhile, has this projection (LINK):
Fifth Quarter has a story under the headline, From Ivy League To The League: Isiah Swann Looks To Be First Dartmouth Player Drafted In 16 Years.
That last draftee? That would be All-America tight end Casey Cramer, taken by the Tampa Bay Bucs in the seventh round of the 2004 draft. He went on to appear in 36 games over five years, including 15 games with the Tennessee Titans in 2006.
A young podcaster not only thinks Swann will be the first Dartmouth player picked since Cramer but believes he'll be a high pick. Listen to his podcast HERE.
The same podcaster has an interview with Dartmouth offensive lineman Zach Sammartino HERE, projecting him to be in line for "an incredible NFL career."
That last draftee? That would be All-America tight end Casey Cramer, taken by the Tampa Bay Bucs in the seventh round of the 2004 draft. He went on to appear in 36 games over five years, including 15 games with the Tennessee Titans in 2006.
A young podcaster not only thinks Swann will be the first Dartmouth player picked since Cramer but believes he'll be a high pick. Listen to his podcast HERE.
The same podcaster has an interview with Dartmouth offensive lineman Zach Sammartino HERE, projecting him to be in line for "an incredible NFL career."
While Sammartino isn't in the Kiper Top-300 he's at 192 in the CBS Sports Top-250 with Swann nowhere to be found. (LINK)
The Tennessee Titans' SB Nation page has Dartmouth defensive end Niko Lalos on its Top-225 at . . . wait for it . . . No. 225. That list does not include Sammartino, Swann, Davidson or any Ivy Leaguer. (LINK)
GREEN ALERT TAKE – Three Dartmouth players making three different Top-Something lists and no crossovers. What does that tell you?
Draft boards, whether they are by someone with proven bonafides or some kid in his mother's basement, are fun to read and talk about, but after the top half of the boards they mean very little, particularly when it comes to FCS players. And particularly this year. Although the odds are against the Dartmouth prospects hearing their names called that's not always a bad thing. I distinctly remember talking to safety Lloyd Lee '98, who was widely considered a prospect, after he was overlooked on draft day. While he was disappointed, he explained to me that his agent thought it was a blessing in disguise because they could then study rosters to find what team they thought was the best fit. He ended up signing with the San Diego Chargers and making the roster. Quarterback Jay Fiedler, regarded as likely draft pick, also was overlooked and with his agent's help decided on signing with the Philadelphia Eagles and making the team.
The Tennessee Titans' SB Nation page has Dartmouth defensive end Niko Lalos on its Top-225 at . . . wait for it . . . No. 225. That list does not include Sammartino, Swann, Davidson or any Ivy Leaguer. (LINK)
GREEN ALERT TAKE – Three Dartmouth players making three different Top-Something lists and no crossovers. What does that tell you?
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In case you missed it (and I did), the video above accompanying the Channel 19 story on Lalos can be watched HERE.
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While Dartmouth's other three prospects have each been drawing attention the push heated up in the past week for Dartmouth quarterback-turned-H-back Jared Gerbino highlighted by this graphic, which has been popping up on Twitter:
Find a story about Gerbino's quest to play in the NFL HERE featuring interviews with Dartmouth offensive coordinator coach Kevin Daft, Princeton coach Bob Surace and even onetime Penn State quarterback recruit Jake Zembiec, who threw to Gerbino on his Pro Day and shared headlines with him in the Rochester, N.Y., area when the two were in high school.
With the NFL Draft taking center stage this week it's a nice relief from the usual headlines in the troubled times. Still, it's hard to ignore what's happening in college sports.
The pandemic has led to financial difficulties that have cost Boise State more than $10 million already will impact the football program. A story in the Idaho Statesman notes that all Boise State employees who earn more than $40,000 a year will be required to take a furlough. From the story (LINK):
The pandemic has led to financial difficulties that have cost Boise State more than $10 million already will impact the football program. A story in the Idaho Statesman notes that all Boise State employees who earn more than $40,000 a year will be required to take a furlough. From the story (LINK):
The majority of Boise State’s football coaches make more than $150,000 annually and will fall into the highest tier of furlough days at 10. Recently hired running backs coach Winston Venable will be required to take seven days. Furloughed employees aren’t allowed to perform any work when they’re off.•
EXTRA POINT
When I was out walking Griff the Wonder Dog yesterday and looked east toward Mount Moosilauke I was stopped in my tracks. We had been having a little rain but up on the mountain it was snow that was brilliantly highlighted by the late afternoon sun. I snapped this picture and thought it might be the final snow of the spring.