CU at the NFL Draft

—

CU at the NFL Draft

—

May 12th

Record number of underclassmen go undrafted … Cal the leader with four

Colorado has had eight players in its history declare early for the NFL draft, including Paul Richardson this season.

All eight have been drafted.

The Buffs, though, are bucking the national trend, which is seeing more and more underclassmen go through the draft without hearing their names being called.

From CBSSportsline.com … A record 98 underclassmen declared for the draft resulting in a record 36 such players going unselected.

That’s a failure rate of almost 40 percent.

“They aren’t ready,” said Ray Anderson, Arizona State’s AD. “They think they are.”

Anderson has an up-close view, having arrived at ASU in January from the NFL where he was executive vice president of football operations.

“I think you’re going to have a lot more guys disappointed than ever before. It’s going to take a class or two for that to happen before [realization] kicks in.”

… To put the fallout of the college dropouts in perspective, this is the 25th year since the NFL welcomed underclassmen. (The rule actually says players are eligible for the draft three years past high-school graduation.) Almost 10 percent of all underclassmen left undrafted in history (36 of 378) were passed over last week.

For further perspective, the average for the past 24 years has been 14.2 undrafted underclassmen per draft. That number increased last week more than 2 1/2 times.

“I think it’s sad for the college game,” Arizona State coach Todd Graham said in the days leading up to the draft. “You could have some guys who could have incredible, memorable senior seasons that are going out getting drafted after the fourth round or not drafted at all.”

Cal led the way with four players. Nine of the undrafted came from the SEC. Notre Dame tailback George Atkinson — an impressive combination of size and speed — has scored touchdowns on two continents. None of that mattered in the draft.

USC’s Steve Sarkisian lost five underclassmen. Only two were drafted — receiver Marqise Lee and center Marcus Martin. Sark lost safety Dion Bailey, defensive lineman George Uko and talented tight end Xavier Grimble.

All three immediately found work as free agents, but that certainly wasn’t the plan.

“The old school model — come in and redshirt, you’re here for five years — that doesn’t pertain a lot anymore,” Sarkisian said.

“My assessment of it all is you really have to count on juniors leaving. It’s a little different climate than it was six years ago. USC’s not the only one unique to that. I think you’ve seen a really growing trend around the country. I don’t agree with it. I think guys are not making great decisions.”

——

May 11th

Chidera Uzo-Diribe a Saint; Iverson a Lion

Colorado defensive end Chidera Uzo-Diribe has signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints. Uzo-Diribe was one of several defensive line prospects signed by the Saints, including defensive tackles from Michigan State, USC and Notre Dame (with the latter being Mike Golic, Jr., son of ESPN radio personality Mike Golic, Sr.).

Buff long-snapper Ryan Iverson, meanwhile, has reportedly signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions.

Several other Buffs are likely to receive similar contracts in the next day or two. You can chart the free-agent signing list at nfl.com.

Other free-agent signings of note:

– Washington quarterback Keith Price (Washington Redskins)

– Northern Colorado (and former Buff walk-on) quarterback Seth (Indianapolis Colts)

– Colorado State running back (and early entry) Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos)

– Missouri quarterback James Franklin (Detroit Lions)

– Stanford linebacker Shane Skov (San Francisco 49ers)

– Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

– USC running back Silas Redd (the Penn State transfer)(Washington Redskins)

——

May 10th

Paul Richardson’s interview with the Seattle media

From cubuffs.com …

(On where is he at right now….) “I’m California right now with my family. My parents are here. My aunts and uncles, my cousins, my close friends, my trainers, everyone is here. All of them are having a great time. They are just enjoying each other right now kind of off to the side.”

(On if he knew that Seattle was this interested in him…) “I figured it out when the general manager called me. I was pretty much on the fence about everything just letting everything happen and going with the flow and watching receivers come off the board just waiting on my name to be called.”

(On if he had a visit here in Seattle during the process…) “No. I met with the team psychologist a month or so ago, and that was a great experience. He was just letting me know what the expectations were with their organization and he felt that I would be able to fit in. I had been in contact with Matt Berry, but yeah that’s pretty much the most I’ve been in touch with the Seahawks.”

(On how does he feel heading to the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks…) “I’m so appreciative right now, I’m so blessed with this opportunity, I’m still like excited. It hit me, but it hasn’t hit me. I’m just overwhelmed right now in a good way.”

(On if USC had recruited him at all when he was in high school…) “Yeah definitely. My sophomore year in high school Coach Pete Carroll offered me after UCLA, Coach Carroll with a USC offer the next day.”

(On what is the fastest he’s ever been timed in the forty yard dash…) “The fastest electric time that I have ran was a 4.28.”

(On if he can describe what type of wide receiver he is…) “I think I’m just a play maker. A guy that likes to stretch the defense and likes to make plays underneath and over the top of defenses, and do it consistently.”

(On what is he weighing right now…) “During college I played anywhere from 158 to 161. I weigh 183 right now and I’m a lot heavier than I was when I played my last game November 30.”

(On what has he done to put on his weight…) “You have a better diet. You don’t eat much at my school. We didn’t eat a whole lot, but I’m eating a lot now, I’m eating a lot healthier. My strength coach is on me all of the time. He’s making sure I’m eating properly, and I’m doing it without creatine or anything like that.It’s all natural, so it’s all weights and food.”

(On if he’s been working on some return stuff this offseason…) “Definitely. I really enjoy returning. I did a lot at Colorado and I would love to get the opportunity to do it again at the next level because I enjoyed it and it’s really fun. It’s another way to change the game.”

(On how is he knee now…) “My knee hasn’t been an issue since I took my brace off. I’ve been blessed to be able to bounce back from my injury fairly fast and it’s been serving me well.”

(On who is his favorite professor at Colorado…) “My favorite professor would have to be Chris Ingram. He was one of my communication professors and he was on me about knowing how to speak well, how to speak under pressure, and how to speak at random times when I don’t know when I’m about to speak to be able to step up, gather myself and be able to present myself well. So I really appreciate him for challenging me.”

(On what areas does he need to improve on as a player…) “I think I definitely could get stronger, and with getting stronger I think that’s going to make me a better blocker and that’s another area of improvement. As a receiver I could always polish my routes and work on how to create space from defenders at the next level because I know it’s not going to be easy as it was in college.”

(On when he made the decision to leave Colorado early was this about where he figured he would go in the draft…) “Yeah definitely. I knew that I wasn’t a top five guy, I wasn’t a top ten guy, but I knew that I brought a lot to the table and my coaches encouraged me that I was making the right decision about taking that next step and to believe in myself and train hard. All of the questions I would be able to answer with my skillset and with my play once I got to the next level starting with the combine.”

(On with all of the different coaching changes at Colorado was he asked to do different things along the way and did that prevent him from doing things he would like to do…) “I think it actually helped me. It was hard to keep those different relationships with the different coaching staffs because when you do get a new coaching staff you kind of look at those guys as uncles and father figures or maybe older brothers if they are young coaches. I was able to play in a pro-style offense, I was able to play in the pistol, I was able to play in the spread so I played in multiple offenses and I think that is going to help me and that is going to carry over in the NFL.”

(On what does he remember about the game against the Huskies…) “I remember we got beat pretty bad. It was upsetting, especially for the young quarterback, and all I could do on the sideline and every time I got a chance is tell him that they’re not going to pull him and just continue to play. That’s all I was worried about. Most of the time when we were losing in the second half of the season I would always try to talk to the young guy and make sure his head was in the game.”

(On when did he run his 4.28…) “I ran that on January 3 out here in California the first day of my combine training when they were getting evaluations.”

(On how does he feel the extra weight has affected his speed…) “I don’t think it has really affected my speed because I have been getting stronger as well as with gaining weight. I didn’t run as well as I would’ve liked to at the combine with the four days off because I was so used to training every day, every day and then you don’t get that same training. Doing starts in the hallway isn’t the same as being on the field so I didn’t have very good carryover, but I’m proud of what I was able to do and I’m proud of my training. I did run a 4.33 I wanted it to be a lot faster.”

(On his thoughts about going against Richard Sherman in practice…) “I can’t wait, I’m looking forward to it. He’s the best in the league and he’s going to continue to be that guy for years to come. I plan on challenging myself and I know he wants to challenge me each and every day. That’s going to make our team better going against and challenging each other every day. That’s going to help me grow.”

(On if he talked to John Schneider or Pete Carroll at the combine…) “No I didn’t talk to them at the combine.”

(On if he sees similarities in himself and Percy Harvin…) “Definitely. I think Percy is very, very gifted and I think I bring similar dynamics to the game. I’m not as big as Percy is, but I’m very explosive well and like to make plays just as he does.”

(On if he played outside mostly at Colorado…) “I played outside and inside and I think that’s another thing that is going to help me.”

(On what kind of communication has he had with Marquis Lee and Robert Woods…) “We have a friendly rivalry. Robert and I grew up together, we’ve been playing sports together since we were seven, baseball and football. Marquis and I played basketball with and against each other since we were young kids in AAU. As soon as Marqise drafted I tweeted him and he got back to me, and as soon as I got drafted he called me and congratulated me and he’s getting back in town in the morning. We have a really good relationship, we like to challenge each other, and since Marqise finished with the combine training he just started working out with my personal receiver coach down her in Orange County right outside of Los Angeles. So we train together now.”

(On his thought on working with Russell Wilson…) “Man he’s such a dynamic quarterback. I can’t wait to start catching passes with him. I know he’s a very smart quarterback. He can make plays and make throws from the pocket and he can use his legs to improvise a little bit and make plays down the field still, or if he needs to he’ll run. So I like the way he plays, I like that he’s a dual threat quarterback, but I know he’s a pass first type of guy and I appreciate that.”

(On if he was told that he needed to gain weight to play in the NFL…) “I definitely realized that I needed to gain weight from my coaches in college and then in my training. Once I started gaining weight I noticed how much more confident I was becoming with gaining weight and how comfortable I was with my body. It’s been fluid for me.”

(On if there are any concerns at all about his durability in the NFL…) “I don’t have any concerns. I never had any issues with an injury because of lack of size or anything. The one thing that I did have was a freak accident. I’m looking forward to having a healthy and durable career in the NFL.”

—-

Seattle Times take on Paul Richardson

From the Seattle Times … The 6-foot Richardson played this year, at times, at a downright puny 158 pounds at the University of Colorado. He says he’s now beefed up to 183, and hopes to be at 190 by the time he reports to camp. Richardson told reporters he’s bulking up by eating more, and eating healthier, than he did in college.

“I’m doing it without creatine, or anything like that,’’ he said in a conference call with Seattle media. “It’s all natural.”

The Seahawks, in the market to replace Golden Tate, were thought to be coveting a larger receiver. But Richardson fit their blueprint in a more important way: He possesses one skill that is transcendent, which rarely fails to win the heart and mind of John Schneider and Pete Carroll.

Richardson is a burner – the eighth-fastest player (and third-fastest receiver) at the combine in the 40-yard dash with his 4.40, a number that actually disappointed him. He says he had gone an electronically timed 4.28 in a workout leading up to the combine.

No matter – the Seahawks had watched than enough highlights of Richardson making dazzling plays despite being a marked man on a miserable Colorado team.

“With Paul, his speed and skillset jumped off the tape,’’ Seahawks’ Southwest area scout Matt Berry said. “It would be frustrating sometimes because he’d be open, and they couldn’t get him the ball. Or he’d be open down the field, and the ball didn’t get there.

“Every time they had a single-high safety, you’d hope they’d throw it to him, just to see his electric speed and play-making ability.”

One of the singular strengths of this Seahawks regime is that they look for an exploitable trait in the draft (or other realms of player acquisition), and then seize upon it. And they are no doubt drooling at the possibility of pairing Richardson with the equally explosive Percy Harvin, who in his brief stints last year showed how speed kills in the NFL.

“We’re about guys with special traits,’’ Berry said. “He’s a guy that had something different, and something exceptional, and I think that’s what drew us to him.”

Other teams might have fretted over Richardson’s slight frame, but the Seahawks saw his “understated confidence,” in Berry’s words, and uncanny ability to get off the line unscathed, despite his size. They saw the way he overcame the adversity of losing the 2012 season after ACL surgery. They saw the astounding 41.8-yard average per touchdown catch in his collegiate career. They looked at other receives once deemed too slight, like Marvin Harrison, Henry Allard, Keenan McCardell, Donald Driver – and their own Doug Baldwin — who thrived.

In the end, they looked at Richardson and saw “our kinda guy,’’ general manager John Schneider said.

“He was,’’ Schneider added, “too rare to pass up.”

“We’re looking for unique qualities,’’ Pete Carroll said. “You can’t make a little guy a big guy.”

But you can make him a bigger guy, which is what Richardson is now in the process of doing.

“I definitely realized I needed to gain weight from my coaches in college, and once I started gaining weight, I noticed how much more confident I was becoming in gaining weight, and how comfortable I was with my body,’’ Richardson said.

Richardson said his knee injury was “a freak accident. I’ve never had any issue with injury because of lack of size. I’m looking forward to having a healthy and durable career in the NFL.”

The Seahawks rave about Richardson’s character, writing off as a youthful indiscretion an incident that resulted in him being booted off the UCLA roster.

As an incoming freshman, Richardson, his cousin Shaquille, and Josh Shirley were dismissed by then-UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel after being arrested for allegedly stealing a purse. They were originally charged with felony theft, later reduced to a misdemeanor. Shaquille ended up at Arizona, Shirley at Washington, while Paul Richardson transferred to Colorado.

“It was really an immature incident that was blown out of proportion,’’ Berry said. “I think he’s moved on. He was basically a high school senior. He hadn’t even started college yet.”

Now Richardson is out of college and headed to the Seahawks, who focus on what he can do, rather than obsess over what he can’t.

“He’s kind of unique,’’ Berry said. “You see this skill set, and keep telling yourself he’s too small, he’s too small, he’s thin. And all he does is get open and make plays and make catches . Everyone on the field knows he’s who they’re trying to go to and he still comes through. Then you get a feel for who he is, his makeup, his confidence, his competitiveness, and you really buy in.”

Nothing tiny about that.

—–

May 9th

Paul Richardson selected in the second round by Seattle

Congratulations to Paul Richardson, selected in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks. Richardson went as the No. 13 pick of the second round, No. 45 overall.

Richardson became the Seahawks’ first draft pick. In Thursday’s first round, Seattle traded the 32nd pick to Minnesota.

Said NFL Draft analyst Mike Mayock: “That’s a Pete Carroll pick right there. Richardson is pure speed; think of a poor man’s DeSean Jackson. Richardson can take the lid off a defense. The Seahawks just got a bunch of speed.”

Richardson was timed at 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash – tying him for eighth fastest – at the NFL Combine in February.

Going in the second round, Richardson becomes CU’s highest pick in the draft since Nate Solder (New England) and Jimmy Smith (Baltimore) went in the first round of the 2011 draft.

Paul Richardson’s interview with NFL Network

Buffs drafted by Seattle

Richardson becomes just the sixth Buff to ever be drafted by Seattle, but the third receiver. Other Colorado players drafted by the Seahawks:

Lance Olander, RB, 1981, 11th round (No. 279 overall)

Don Fairbanks, DT, 1986, 10th round (No. 264 overall)

Christian Fauria, TE, 1995, 2nd round (No. 39 overall)

T.J. Cunningham, CB, 1996,  6th round (No. 209 overall)

D.J. Hackett, WR, 2004, 5th round (No. 157 overall)

P-Rich highlight video:

—–

Colorado has the 4th-most first round picks of all of the Pac-12

Since the NFL and AFL began the common draft in 1967, Colorado has had 22 first round draft picks*. This is good enough for 4th  in the annals of the Pac-12. Oregon State, with the fewest, picked up No. 3 this year with Brandin Cooks.

Washington State broke the longest drought without a first round pick, dating back to 2003, when Deone Bucannon went to Arizona with the 27th pick last night. The longest drought without a first round pick now belongs to Arizona State, which has now endured 11 drafts since the Sun Devils’ last first rounder, Terrell Suggs, in 2003.

The rest of the Pac-12 conference:

USC – 68 … Most recent: 2012 – Matt Kahil, OT, 4th pick, Minnesota; and Nick Perry, DE, 28th pick, Green Bay

UCLA – 24 … Most recent: 2014 – Anthony Barr, LB, 9th pick, Minnesota

California – 23 … Most recent: 2011 – Cameron Jordan, DE, 24th pick, New Orleans

Colorado – 22 … Most recent: 2011 – Nate Solder, OT, 17th pick, New England; and Jimmy Smith, CB, 27th pick, Baltimore

Arizona State – 22 … Most recent: 2003 – Terrell Suggs, LB, 10th pick, Baltimore

Washington – 17 … Most recent: 2013 – Desmond Trufant, CB, 22nd pick, Atlanta

Stanford – 16 … Most recent: 2012 – Andrew Luck, QB, 1st pick, Indianapolis; and David DeCastro, OG, 24th pick, Pittsburgh

Oregon – 13 … Most recent: 2013 – Dion Jordan, LB, 3rd pick, Miami; and Kyle Long, OG, 20th pick, Chicago

Washington State – 9 … Most recent: 2014 – Deone Bucannon, S, 27th pick, Arizona

Arizona – 9 … Most recent: 2008 – Antoine Cason, CB, 27th pick, San Diego

Utah – 6 …  Most recent: 2013 – Star Lotulelei, DT, 14th pick, Carolina

Oregon State – 3 … Most recent: 2014 – Brandin Cooks, WR, 20th pick, New Orleans

(And, in case you are wondering … Colorado State – 4 … Most recent: 1987 – Kelly Stouffer, QB, 6th pick, St. Louis)

* Colorado has had 24 first round NFL first round picks overall, counting Byron White, the 4th overall pick in 1938 (Pittsburgh) and Jerry Hillebrand, TE, the 13th overall pick of the 1962 draft (New York Giants).

—

More Two-Star players taken in the first round than Five-Star players

From Jon Wilner at the San Jose Mercury News … In the Hotline’s never-ending quest to lend context to the recruiting process, here are the first-round picks and the number of recruiting ‘stars’ that were assigned to each. (I’m using Scout’s rankings but could just have easily have selected Rivals.)

I’m not suggesting, and never have, that the star system is irrelevant. It provides a broad indication of potential: A 5-star player is more likely to become a first round pick than a 3-star player.

The point here, and always, is that the stars aren’t everything — just as the RPI in the college basketball selection process isn’t everything and the 40-yard dash in the draft evaluation process isn’t everything.

The system’s accuracy as a predictor of future success, either for the players or the teams, doesn’t match the be-all-and-end-all attention it receives on National Signing Day.

You’ll note below that there were more 2-star prospects selected Thursday than 5-star prospects.

Average of the top 10: 3.60 stars

Average of the first round: 3.46 stars

—

Total 5 star prospects in the first round: 5

Total 4 star prospects in the first round: 11

Total 3 star prospects in the first round: 10

Total 2 star prospects in the first round: 6

—–

May 8th

Anthony Barr 7th top ten draft pick in the last five seasons … Big Ten has zero

UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 9 pick of the 2014 NFL draft, giving the Pac-12 seven top ten first round picks over the past five seasons. Barr joins Tyson Alualu (Cal, No. 10 overall, 2010, Jacksonville), Jake Locker (Washington, No. 8 overall, 2011, Tennessee), Tyron Smith (USC, No. 9 overall, 2011, Dallas), Andrew Luck (Stanford, No. 1 overall, 2012, Indianapolis), Matt Kalil (USC, No. 4 overall, 2012, Minnesota), Dion Jordan (Oregon, No. 3 overall, 2013, Miami).

Overall, NFL picks by league over the last five seasons: SEC 20; Big 12 14; Pac-12 7; ACC 6; MAC 2; BYU 1, AAC (Big East) 0, Big Ten 0.

—

Do recruiting stars matter?

The average recruiting rating of the top ten players in this year’s NFL draft?  …. 3.6.

—–

Some notes about the University of Colorado and the NFL draft …

– Colorado has had 24 first round draft picks in NFL history. The highest-ever pick was Bo Matthews, taken as the No. 2 overall pick by San Diego in 1974. Colorado is one of only three schools in the Pac-12 (the Arizona schools being the others) to not have at least one No. 1 overall draft pick (USC has had five – the most by any school – while Stanford has had four. No other Pac-12 school has had more than one No. 1 overall pick).

– The most recent first round draft picks for CU came in 2011, when Nate Solder was taken in the first round by New England (17th pick overall), followed shortly thereafter by Jimmy Smith, going to Baltimore with the No. 27 overall pick.

– The first Buff to be chosen in an NFL draft was halfback Byron White, taken in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers (the No. 3 pick overall) in the 1938 NFL draft.

– Paul Richardson is only the eighth player in CU history to declare early for the NFL draft. The previous seven were all drafted – defensive tackle Leonard Renfro (1st round, Philadelphia, 1993); running back Lamont Warren (sixth round, Indianapolis, 1994); running back Rashaan Salaam (first round, Chicago, 1995); defensive end Shannon Clavelle, sixth round, Buffalo, 1995); cornerback Ben Kelly (third round, Miami, 2000); running back Chris Brown (third round, Tennessee, 2003); and David Bakhtiari (4th round, Green Bay, 2013)

– Since 1990, there have been only three drafts which have been conducted without at least one Buff having their name called. Those three drafts were 2001, 2005, and 2010. (An oddity – In April, 1989, the spring before CU went 11-0 in the regular season and climbed to No. 1 in the polls for the first time in school history, no Buffs were drafted).

– Only once in school history has the Colorado program gone two seasons in a row without a player being drafted, and that was back in 1949 and 1950.

– The most Buffs ever drafted in the same spring came in 1976, when 11 Buffs were drafted. The 1975 Buffs went 9-3, and produced three first round draft picks – center Pete Brock (New England, 12th overall pick), defensive tackle Troy Archer (New York Giants, 13th overall pick), and offensive tackle Mark Koncar (Green Bay, 23rd overall pick). That draft also had Buff great Dave Logan going to the Cleveland Browns in the third round (65th pick overall).

– Twice in school history, ten Buffs were drafted in the same season. In 1974, ten Buffs were selected, led by fullback Bo Matthews and tight end J.V. Cain in the first round. In the 1995 draft, ten Buffs were chosen as well, with Michael Westbrook going to the Washington Redskins with the No. 4 overall pick. Westbrook was joined in the first round by Heisman trophy winner Rashaan Salaam, who went to the Chicago Bears at No. 21. Three other Buffs were chosen in the second round of that 1995 draft – tight end Christian Fauria (Seattle); linebacker Ted Johnson (New England); and quarterback Kordell Stewart (Pittsburgh).

– In the 1974 draft, it took 16 rounds to get to ten Buffs. In 1995, ten Buffs were gone by the end of the sixth round.

– The NFL team which has chosen the most Buffs? … The Green Bay Packers, with 18 Buffs, the most recent being Bakhtiari last spring and linebacker Brad Jones in the 7th round of the 2009 draft.

– Want some great trivia for your Bronco fans? There have been 14 Buffs selected in the draft by the Broncos, but none since 1980. Can you name the last Buff drafted by Denver? It was nose tackle Laval Short, taken in the 5th round of the 1980 draft (136th pick overall).

– The NFL team which has chosen the fewest Buffs? There is a tie. The Jacksonville Jaguars have only selected one Buff through the draft, being cornerback Chris Hudson in the third round of the 1995 draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also have only chosen one Buff, offensive tackle Steve Young, taken in the third round of the 1976 draft (perhaps the Bucs were thinking that they were drafting quarterback Steve Young, who also played for the Bucs, and that is why they have never again chosen a player from CU).

– Jacksonville has only been around since 1995, with Tampa Bay coming into the league in 1976. I found it surprising that the Minnesota Vikings, who have been around since 1960, have only chosen two Buffs in their history – offensive tackle Jerry McClung in the 17th round of the 1964 draft, and fullback Jim Kelleher, in the 12th round of the 1977 draft.

This post, about the Spring/Summer game, from the 2014 Season, is filed under Article.
You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment.