Sunil Posted March 8, 2007 Group: Member Topic Count: 79 Content Count: 1,260 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/20/2006 Share Posted March 8, 2007 An interesting topic that came up when talking to a co-worker in talking about our upcoming pro-day. Just how important is it to the progress of our football program to produce a player who is selected in the first round of the NFL draft?Obviously if you look at some of the other in-state universities and national football powers..they all have at least one guy who has gone onto draft success and become a household name. Deion (FSU), Emmitt (UF), Ray-ray (UM) are guys who most in-state recruits know by their first name alone. Even UCF constantly points to Daunte Culpepper as a signature player produced through their program. Nationally, you have smaller schools producing big-time pros such as Ladainian Tomlinson (TCU), Ben Roethlisberger (miami-ohio) and Chad Pennington-Byron Leftwich-Randy Moss (marshall).  Of course we have had some very good pros in our short history (Kawika, Anthony Henry), but no one of that caliber as of yet. Is this a vital measuring mark in the progress of our program? Does our national image have a "ceiling" until we do? Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flsportsfan83 Posted March 8, 2007 Group: TBP Subscriber III Topic Count: 1,750 Content Count: 17,508 Reputation: 1,262 Days Won: 13 Joined: 08/16/2004 Share Posted March 8, 2007 It is VERY important. We have developed some great talent here, and have won as a team. We have yet to get that Blue Chp recruit. we have pulled nice recruits. The Recruit that has everybody in the country coming after him prob. will not sign with USF. Why? These guys want to play in the pro's. We will start getting better recruits when we start putting players into the League. It is amazing what leavitt has done here with far less talent than most big time programs around the country. The big time talent will come after we put some big names in the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted March 8, 2007 Group: Member Topic Count: 197 Content Count: 10,251 Reputation: 270 Days Won: 14 Joined: 08/16/2005 Share Posted March 8, 2007 One 1st Rounder, eh. The key is producing MULTIPLE draft picks year in and out. When you are able to do that you can honestly recruit kids telling them that they have a good chance of being drafted and making an NFL roster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 It's the progression...1 start a team2 schedule opponents3 play game one and win 80-34 move to I-A5 get your first big I-A win (Pitt)6 get into a conference7 get into a bigger conference8 go to a bowl game9 win a bowl gamein the middle... have quite a few players drafted... including a 3-in-a-row-to-start-day-two...Joe is right, though... being known for sending several players to the pros every year will help draw talent... every kid thinks he can play in the NFL - so proving that USF is a good place to showcase talent (Big East, media darlings, etc)... and gets noticed by the NFL powers that be every draft... that will bring the higher caliber players that smazza seems to think are out there if only CJL would ask them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeB Posted March 8, 2007 Group: Member Topic Count: 963 Content Count: 9,765 Reputation: 596 Days Won: 9 Joined: 08/05/2005 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Its important to have one eventually, but we can still win alot of games without one. In fact we can win a Big East title without one in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Posted March 8, 2007 Group: Member Topic Count: 32 Content Count: 1,911 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/26/2005 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I think you answered your own question. It hasn't done much for TCU, Marshall, or Miami of Ohio. (though I respect the job they do at TCU.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VA_Bull Posted March 9, 2007 Group: Member Topic Count: 11 Content Count: 318 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 11/27/2005 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I'll agree with Kyle and I give you exhibit A - John Matuszak, University of Tampa, #1 pick. Did a lot for them didn't it???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.T. Posted March 9, 2007 Group: TBP Subscriber III Topic Count: 4,751 Content Count: 37,675 Reputation: 2,367 Days Won: 29 Joined: 12/24/2001 Share Posted March 9, 2007 T. Johnson could be our first #1 Round pick 8-)I see CB's Williams & Jenkins to do well in the 2008 Draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mutt Posted March 9, 2007 Group: Member Topic Count: 238 Content Count: 4,139 Reputation: 39 Days Won: 1 Joined: 09/20/2004 Share Posted March 9, 2007 It'll happen, it's just a matter of when. The way this season goes will say a lot for USF producing top shelf goods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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