Spring Break
Mid-majors producing NFL players
Ben Garbarek
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: Sports
While players from little schools have hit it big in the NFL in the past; i.e. Jerry Rice and Walter Payton just to name a few; it seems to be happening more and more each year.
Two of the players many are predicting big seasons for also came from smaller or what are usually considered less prestigious programs. Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler worked his way into the starting role at quarterback and seems to be the guy to finally carry the torch left by Hall of Famer John Elway.
With a talented team around him, Cutler may make others forget he played at Vanderbilt, a smaller program in the SEC.
Another potential emerging star is Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson. I'll cut straight to the point: he went to Northern Colorado.
And who knows, this year's surprise player could turn out to be our own Ryne Robinson. Robinson became one of the top return men in the nation during his tenure at Miami and is poised to do the same in Carolina.
Now this doesn't mean great players don't come from elite programs, they do. However with teams like Appalachian State and Boise State breaking the small-school barrier and small program products consistently making a name for themselves in the NFL, don't be surprised to see a little more attention given to the little guys.
Two of the players many are predicting big seasons for also came from smaller or what are usually considered less prestigious programs. Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler worked his way into the starting role at quarterback and seems to be the guy to finally carry the torch left by Hall of Famer John Elway.
With a talented team around him, Cutler may make others forget he played at Vanderbilt, a smaller program in the SEC.
Another potential emerging star is Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson. I'll cut straight to the point: he went to Northern Colorado.
And who knows, this year's surprise player could turn out to be our own Ryne Robinson. Robinson became one of the top return men in the nation during his tenure at Miami and is poised to do the same in Carolina.
Now this doesn't mean great players don't come from elite programs, they do. However with teams like Appalachian State and Boise State breaking the small-school barrier and small program products consistently making a name for themselves in the NFL, don't be surprised to see a little more attention given to the little guys.
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