NFSL Insider Magazine: Underrated Prospects Series

[HalfEatenOnionBagel]

In just a few more crows of the cock, the much anticipated S2 NSFL Draft will finally be here. In this week's edition of NSFL Insider Magazine we're doing a deep dive on prospects that fans and maybe even some teams aren't as familiar with. Top end prospects tend to get a ton of media coverage and even "sleepers" like worst kept draft secret Kevin Cushing (@kckolbe) are getting a lot of attention leading up to the draft. But when the season rolls around, lots of highly rated players at the draft fall off and are surpassed by their dedicated late round counterparts. In our S2 underrated prospects series, we feature four players that we consider to be solid investments in the later rounds of the draft. These players have been identified as having a lot of activity leading up to the draft, which tends to be the best early indicator of success in the league and all four also featured in some part in the S2 prospects games played alongside the NSFL playoffs. This week's edition of the magazine will have four different collector’s editions, each featuring one of these prospects. Each edition will have a unique cover page featuring one of the four Prospects. Inside you'll find detailed information about each of these players as well as an exclusive interview with each one. As a special sneak peek, we're providing you with a preview of each cover as well as an excerpt from each article and interview with our four featured prospects in this series.


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Limited Edition Cover 1 of 4: Shawn Brady – QB (@TheLastOlympian07)
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 225
College: Michigan[/div]

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[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Brady was a standout at Michigan, almost leading his team to a National Championship run before being thwarted by rival Ohio State. In talking with Brady, you can tell this guy has all the intangibles for being a QB in the league. Ask him to look at some tape and he can just as easily point out and correct a flaw in himself as he can point out and exploit a flaw in the defense. He has solid accuracy and while his arm strength may not be on par with the best arms in the league, some work on his mechanics could definitely help with his release and velocity. Brady had a fantastic game in the S2 Prospects championship where he was named MVP after throwing for 3 touchdowns in a real nailbiter. He showed excellent poise in the pocket, leadership on the field and in the locker room throughout the entire series and he showed his ability to adapt to the pro style offense that a lot of new quarterbacks struggle with coming into the league. Maybe one of the new expansion teams will take a flyer on this blossoming young star and give him some weapons to elevate his play early. He may have a hard time securing a starting job if he lands on a team with an already established QB. But, Brady does bear a remarkably striking resemblance to another late round QB from Michigan who’s had a lot of success in the NFL. And, if I recall correctly, that guy started off as a backup too.[/div]

Here's some of the interview we got with Brady:

How are feeling in the leadup to the draft?

I am feeling pretty good leading up to the draft. I feel my reputation is a pretty good one and that people should know that I will be loyal and that I will be practicing week in and week out making myself and the team better each week.

Were there any other sports you played growing up?

Much like many young Americans, I was into baseball as well as football but sometimes Baseball turned out to be a little boring for me even though I was a pretty good Right Fielder. I turned to football because nothing can beat the glory of leading your team to a victory in the 4th quarter.

You can pick any receiver in the league to throw to, who would you choose?

I would throw to Kendrick Hendrix (@deadendpath27) partly because his name is so cool and because he is a adept route runner who will always try to get open. Plus he has some blazing speed which I think will work well with someone like myself.

The play call is Spider 2 Y banana. Run us through your reads on that play and who you expect to be open.

It is not a play I am too familiar with all I know is that the Fullback is the primary option and the Tight End is option number 2. It is a hard play to defend.

What kind of offense did you play in in college? How do you think that will affect your transition to the league?

We ran a pass first system which faked a run in order to pass deep when the defense least expected it. Sometimes we ran a empty backfield in order to maximize the pass. Short passes worked best. Anyway passing first always works best for me so I dont think it will affect me that much as we come into the NSFL.

What number do you want to wear and why?

I wear number 12 because greats like Joe Nameth, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach and Bob Greise wore the number. I want to honor them with my play and hope I do them proud by being successful with such a number.

Ok, for each of these underrated prospect interviews, we’ve asked our followers on Twitter to vote for a question to ask in each interview, so here’s yours: If you were an animal which one would you be?

I would be a Tiger. Tigers are so majestic and just cool in general.


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[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Limited Edition Cover 2 of 4: Darlane Farlane – RB (@Gwdaja)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 215
College: USC



Farlane has the need for speed; this kid can seriously fly. He posted one of the fastest 40 times at the combine of any player in league history. But that’s not all; he’s also a versatile weapon in the passing game, a real swiss army knife type of player than can make defenses pay in more ways than one. There’s a ton of excellent running backs in the league right now and Farlane still needs to prove he’s ready to take on a full workload in the NSFL on his own. But everyone needs a breather once in a while and very few have the raw athleticism and catching ability that Farlane has in one package. I easily see him finding a niche as a third down or change of pace back with the potential to eventually be a workhorse back in the league. Farlane performed exceptionally well, albeit against somewhat weaker competition, in the S2 Prospects series, where he stood out amongst other prospects coming into the league. You can find a breakdown of some of his performances in those games here: http://nsfl.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=...indpost&p=29016
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Here’s some of our interview with Farlane:

What has your diet and workout schedule been like in preparation for the draft?

I've been eating really strict - chicken, rice, veggies and fruit. And I've been doing two-a-days, strength training, cardio and agility drills.

What was it like to play in the propects series? Are there any guys you played with there that you hope to play with again in the future?

Prospect games were a blast, and it was great to show off my skills and even see how some of the other prospects are to start off. Ardie Savea (@`ardiesavea`) and I were a pretty brutal 1-2 punch in the backfield...it would be crazy if we were the backs for some team.

What was the proudest moment in your college career?

Proudest was probably breaking the NCAA single-season rushing record.

At what point in college did you realize you had what it takes to play in the pros?

I think I've always known deep down. I've always had the fire in my eyes and I felt like I was ten steps above the competition, no matter what stage I've played at.

Are there any teams that you're getting a lot of interest from?

I've gotten attention from most of the teams, I think all of them except for one, actually. Some with stud runningbacks, some needing to fill the hole. We'll see where I end up.

Outside of football what are some of your other hobbies?

I enjoy the outdoors a lot, sports and love to go on really long runs. Anything active is right up my alley.

Alright so we’ve been asking our followers on Twitter to vote for a question to ask each prospect so here’s one for you: Boxers or briefs? Oh geez, well that’s kind of weird, but the fan’s do want to know…

Well, I'm usually moving around a lot, so gotta keep it to briefs. Something's gotta hold the boys down.

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[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Limited Edition Cover 3 of 4: Micah Hendrix – OL (@HalfEatenOnionBagel)
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 315
College: University of Miami



Hendrix may be an absolute mountain of a man as most offensive lineman are, but he’s really not that intimidating off the field. He’s approachable, easy to talk to and always sporting a huge grin on his face. But, put him in the game and a switch just flips and he becomes an animal. He was an absolute terror for defenses that he faced during his time at Miami, bulldozing through defenders with his amazing strength and technique. As a senior he was offensive co-captain, second team All-ACC and an academic All-American. He has all the makings to be a dedicated player and a positive influence in the locker room, which is something that coaches love to hear. He’s still not that well known compared to some of the high profile linemen in the draft, but the lack of offensive line talent in the league in general has to have him and the rest of this huge offensive line class on every GM’s radar right now.[/div]

Here's some of my interview with Hendrix:

So, you got married recently, that’s pretty exciting. How did you meet your wife?

Yeah, got married about two months ago. Seemed like as good a time as any. We met in college actually taking a pottery class of all things. Absolutely hated that class, she definitely made it bearable. She actually ended up being a personal trainer so she’s been a big part in my athletic development and helping me make a plan for my nutrition and all that. It’s definitely helped a lot but I probably need cut out junk food even more. She’s also tried to get me to do yoga but that hasn’t really caught on yet. Yeah she and my dad are already a big part of my career.

That’s right, your dad played professional football too.

Yeah he actually played in the CFL for five years as a tight end before he ended up having a serious knew injury that forced him to retire early. He was pretty devastated, but he went on to get a degree in business and sports management. He’s kind of been acting as my “agent” through this whole process and giving me advice as I go through it all. I guess my NSFL career is kind of a family business at this point.

Who’s your biggest role model?

Definitely my Grandma who raised my dad and four uncles alone after my grandfather passed away. She’s tough as nails, never expected anything to be given to her and you can bet she didn’t put up with any nonsense raising that family. She’s still sharp as a tack too, she’ll be with us watching the draft at home with me and my family, waiting for my name to get called.

You’re not going to the draft in person?

Nah, only the top players get invited to the draft and if I was one of them I wouldn’t be doing this interview with you, would I?

Any aspects of your game that you feel need some work still?

I’ll admit that as a run blocking specialist and enthusiast you could say, I can definitely use some work in pass protection. The QB is such an important part of the offense and the player that teams probably invest more into than any other position in the NSFL so I need to be able to show that I can take care of ours if I want to see the field this first season. I’ve been working with my coaches some and I’m sure I can learn a lot from veterans that I’ll start playing alongside.

Do you have any pregame rituals?

I always get a little nervous before a game, which would be a problem because I wouldn’t eat anything and when you get late into a game and you’re hungry, don’t expect mom to come make you lunch. So, I got in the habit of waking up really early to eat, like 4 AM before my mind could really process that I had a game that day. After eating, I’d just go right back to sleep. Usually what I ended up eating was two bowls of oatmeal and an oreo milkshake. Breakfast of champions right there. Just need something with a lot of calories to get me through gameday. I also like to listen to music before a game but I think that’s pretty common for most players. Right now I’ve still been bumping DAMN, but I listen to a lot of hip hop and rock in general.

Ok, so for each prospect we’ve met with, we have asked them a question that was voted on by our followers on Twitter, so here is the question that we have for you……you’ve gotta be kidding me I don’t even understand this one but ok then. Would you rather fight one horse sized duck or one hundred duck sized horses? Seriously people this is what you come up with?

Uhh yeah that’s a little odd but I would probably say the horse sized duck. Definitely would prefer a fight that’s just man to man. Or I guess in this case man to duck?



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[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Limited Edition Cover 4 of 4: Perry Tucker – TE (@Perry87)
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 270
College: Bowling Green State University



You don’t get to be a tight end in the league without being huge, but the one thing that really stands out is just how big Perry Tucker’s hands are. When I met him it was like shaking hands with someone wearing a baseball mitt. But these hands aren’t just for making intimidating first impressions. He led his team in receptions the last two seasons of his college career. Watch any tape of Tucker playing in college and you’ll see that he’s got elite catching abilities. With a tremendous catch radius from his frame and his 80+ inch wingspan, if you put the ball in his general vicinity, odds are he’s coming down with the catch. One anonymous NSFL scout put it this way, “If I only knew which half of the endzone this kid was in I bet I could throw up a pass blindfolded and he’d find a way to box out the defender and come down with it.” You can bet quarterbacks love to hear that about him, look at players like Jason Witten from the NFL and you’ll see the long lasting consistency that a player like Tucker could bring to your franchise. His athletic profile may be more limited than other TE prospects but sometimes the best ability is reliability.[/div]

Here’s some of my interview with Tucker:

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Public Speaking. When I get in front of a group of people to make a speech, I freeze

Who is your role model and why? (Doesn't have to be someone from football, just from life in general)

My dad. He taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, and to never give up.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I listen to "The Final Countdown" by Europe. It helps me get psyched up

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Being from a MAC school I didn't often play against the Elite talent you see in other conferences. When we played Minnesota week 2 last year Safety Ragnar Krone made me think twice about going across the middle more than once. Dude can hit.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NSFL who would it be and why?

Gabriel Tenzini. We've both got good hands. He just has a season head start on me

Ok so we’ve been asking each prospect a question voted on by our followers on Twitter, but I gotta say they’ve been getting pretty terrible, so I apologize in advance. Ok, here we go: If you had to describe your play in one word what would it be? Oh hey that’s actually pretty good this time.

Consistent. I'm not the kind of receiver that will burn down the sidelines for 80 yards, but if you can get the ball to me it'll be caught


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So there you have it, some in depth insight into some players that we think have a chance to be future stars. As a fan if your team drafts one of these guys come this Wednesday, we think you'll be very pleased with what they can bring to your team both on and off the field. If you're curious to learn more about any of these players make sure to pick up at least one, if not all four, of these collector’s editions of NSFL Insider Magazine. But, these four highlighted players aren’t the only ones being drafted of course. In this issue you can find tons of information about all the prospects that we expect to see going in this draft, from the standout players who will have their names called in the first round all the way down to the guys we could easily see being taken as Mr. Irrelevant.





((Word Count: 3032, ready for grading))
((Note to grader: Please split payout four ways between @HalfEatenOnionBagel, @Gwdaja, @Perry87, @TheLastOlympian07))


Graded

[kckolbe]

Completely agree on @Perry87. The guy is rare, a TE that can actually block, and there are a LOT of teams that could use that, especially with quality offensive line players still difficult to come by. I worry if he'll be able to get separation as a route runner, though, given his huge lack of speed and agility. He has great hands, but I worry that the ball will never get to touch them.

[bovovovo]

This is an awesome article, great work!

I really liked the prospect interviews...gives them a chance to get their name out there. And it's really nice to see someone looking at the deeper sleeper prospects, instead of considering fringe round 1-2 guys "sleepers"

[Perry87]

This is fantastic dude, but you got my render wrong so 0/10. Seriously though great job. Nice to know there's someone looking out for the little guys lol

[Ben]

So happy to see @Gwdaja on this! Cheers for the shoutout man.
Great article and great choices these are all legitimate sleepers.

[kckolbe]

So happy to see @Gwdaja on this! Cheers for the shoutout man.
Great article and great choices these are all legitimate sleepers.

I would have preferred to see Kyle Cobb get the shout, but Farlane did beast in the prospect games.

[Bzerkap]

Great article. Looks like you did actual research

[Ben]

I would have preferred to see Kyle Cobb get the shout, but Farlane did beast in the prospect games.

@Kcobb9 and I have a lowkey rivalry so obviously I'm happier to see my teammate getting noticed. Can't deny he's definitely a sleeper tho

[HalfEatenOnionBagel]

I would have preferred to see Kyle Cobb get the shout, but Farlane did beast in the prospect games.

Yeah, I am a big fan of Cobb as well. Farlane just happened to catch my eye in the prospect games and with his article asking for some respect. Seemed like a good personality to get an interview with. If you want to read about Cobb, he's in the magazine, too. Go buy a copy

[kckolbe]

If you want to read about Cobb, he's in the magazine, too. Go buy a copy

I would buy this. It's good content