Northwestern had two players selected in the NFL draft for the third straight year.
Story: Northwestern draftees trending up
Story: Northwestern draftees trending up
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At another site they seem to be arguing in the opposite direction by pointing out that it's been over a decade since a Wildcat was taken in the first 3 rounds of the NFL draft. See:Northwestern had two players selected in the NFL draft for the third straight year.
At another site they seem to be arguing in the opposite direction by pointing out that it's been over a decade since a Wildcat was taken in the first 3 rounds of the NFL draft. See:
NU has had no success in the early rounds under Pat Fitzgerald (<--)
At another site they seem to be arguing in the opposite direction by pointing out that it's been over a decade since a Wildcat was taken in the first 3 rounds of the NFL draft. See:
NU has had no success in the early rounds under Pat Fitzgerald (<--)
What is that supposed to prove? Look how many high draft picks Rutgers and UConn have produced? What has that netted them on the field?
Thorson will put an end to that trash talk.It may prove that if you want to be a high NFL draft pick, you may be better off going elsewhere. We need to disprove that theory.
Thorson will put an end to that trash talk.
If Clayton goes high and Trevor keeps his starting job. That will create a little buzz at the most visible position. How many schools have two QB's in the NFL.As one of Thorson's earliest admirers, I think you are right but one guy won't be enough. We need to establish a consistent pipeline to overcome the perception.
With relatively small numbers of NU players entering the NFL, it may be that Cat players succeed in the pro game at a higher percentage than other schools.If Clayton goes high and Trevor keeps his starting job. That will create a little buzz at the most visible position. How many schools have two QB's in the NFL.
Only a few, I'd bet. And fewer with back to back QB's in the pros.
With relatively small numbers of NU players entering the NFL, it may be that Cat players succeed in the pro game at a higher percentage than other schools.
There is a word for this: overanalyzing.With relatively small numbers of NU players entering the NFL, it may be that Cat players succeed in the pro game at a higher percentage than other schools.
Fretting about our ability to generate NFL 1st rounders seems like a waste of time and is contrary to our recruiting pitch. It's about the next 40 years, not the next 4 years.
The number of top recruits that meet NU's academic standards is pretty small to begin with. And, for recruits with the necessary talent to be a 1st rounder, perennial powers like Ohio State and Alabama may be a better choice. First, they're surrounded by better talent, which makes them look better. Anthony Walker sure looked better when Dean Lowry was taking on the linemen in front of him. Second, team success on the field leads to greater exposure to the scouts identifying first rounders.
Would I like to get even better recruits? Yes, but for Northwestern that means beating Stanford, Duke, and other academic peers - not to mention the top programs named above - when an outstanding, academically-qualified recruit is available. I'm sure that at least 98% of the NFL first rounders don't fit that mold.
Would I like to see even better player development? Yes, but I don't think that's the reason for our lack of first rounders. Once we improve the talent at all positions - which is happening - the victories and exposure for our top performers will follow. The Pinstripe victory certainly drew attracted attention for CT and JJTBC.
I'd have to think about that.That's a constant activity on these boards.
The number of 1st rounders is not a good gauge for our recruiting and the recruting of many teams because teams are only as strong as their weakest link. We'll have made a big step in our recruiting if 3-4 players are being drafted consistently per year.
If we get more people going to the NFL then the high NFL caliber will follow.The depth and bottom of roster have improved but we won't reach the next level until we start recruiting and developing talent that is high NFL caliber . I am not talking about OSU or Alabama but we can and should aspire to produce an NFL matriculation track record similar to Stanford's.
If we get more people going to the NFL then the high NFL caliber will follow.
Right. Voltz, now a 5-6 year old example, definitely chose Wisconsin due to the relative likelihood of making the NFL. As evidenced by a post of mine earlier this week, that's not consistently happening at NU, especially on the O-line.You are assuming it's only a question of attracting that caliber of talent. In my opinion it's a function or recruiting AND developing that caliber of talent. I don't think we are doing either very consistently right now.
Fretting about our ability to generate NFL 1st rounders seems like a waste of time and is contrary to our recruiting pitch. It's about the next 40 years, not the next 4 years.
The number of top recruits that meet NU's academic standards is pretty small to begin with. And, for recruits with the necessary talent to be a 1st rounder, perennial powers like Ohio State and Alabama may be a better choice. First, they're surrounded by better talent, which makes them look better. Anthony Walker sure looked better when Dean Lowry was taking on the linemen in front of him. Second, team success on the field leads to greater exposure to the scouts identifying first rounders.
Would I like to get even better recruits? Yes, but for Northwestern that means beating Stanford, Duke, and other academic peers - not to mention the top programs named above - when an outstanding, academically-qualified recruit is available. I'm sure that at least 98% of the NFL first rounders don't fit that mold.
Would I like to see even better player development? Yes, but I don't think that's the reason for our lack of first rounders. Once we improve the talent at all positions - which is happening - the victories and exposure for our top performers will follow. The Pinstripe victory certainly drew attracted attention for CT and JJTBC.
Inside NU has a good table showing how poorly we've done in the NFL draf since 1996. We are 12th in the B10 edging our Rutgers and Indiana. If we averaged 4 draftees annually, we would be 4th behind only OSU, Mich & Nebraska and slightly ahead of Ped State and Wisconsin.
We are definitely an outlier.Good thing winning college football games is more important than sending players to the NFL.
Good thing winning college football games is more important than sending players to the NFL.
Good thing winning college football games is easier than sending players to the NFL.
Good thing winning college football games is more important than sending players to the NFL.