09-30-2020, 06:19 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-01-2020, 05:51 PM by Asked Madden.)
Hello DSFL Prospects,
You're time to shine is almost here with the DSFL draft just a few days away. Before all that happens I wanted to write you all this letter so that you know what to expect on this DSFL journey.
By now you have probably been scouted by teams in the league. Those conversations you had are no doubt some of the most important things in terms of your draft stock. The GMs and scouts all have their own formulas but I know that they all place great importance on each of those conversations. A prospect really needs to be himself and stand up for how he wants his career to play out. I know I had many scouts asking about my openness to change positions and I told them I wanted to be a wide receiver. Holding firm and showing scouts you won't be a push over and are going to put the work in to achieve your dreams can go a long way in making you a desirable prospect.
I know you are all anxious about heading into the prospect bowl soon as well. I will tell you that the prospect bowl experience is going to be on of the best. This is the first time you will really be in a locker room with a whole professional team. Take advantage of watching how these guys prepare for important games and how the coaching staff acts. This will be your first time under the lights of the DSFL so do what you can to be ready because you never know who will be watching. Speaking of those watching, the prospect bowl is also the last chance you really have to put your name out there. Look at my former teammate, Owen Holloway, for example. That man ran all over the field in his games and became a household name over night. He just went early in the ISFL draft this year and at least part of that is from the name he built starting with the prospect bowl.
So all the pressure of scouting interviews and the prospect bowl will culminate with the big event, the DSFL draft. The draft is one of the best, but also most nerve wracking experiences of your life. I watched surrounded by friends and family and hearing my name called will always be something I remember. As a small wide receiver out of an FCS school I was no surprised that I had to wait for over 60 players to be taken before me. However, the beauty of this league is that everyone will have that moment and all of you will remember it for the rest of your lives. The other beautiful thing is that draft position doesn't matter in our world. That's right every player will get the same contract regardless of position so don't fret if you fall farther than you wanted to the money will still be there. Just make sure you spend some of it to make yourself a better player through training or equipment and not all of trading cards.
Finally, I want to leave you with one last piece of advice. The DSFL is hard and everyone develops at their own pace. I am a prime example of this. I went into the DSFL ready to roll after having a great prospect bowl. Well I fell on my face hard.... I struggled to get catches and had so many drops during the season. Well my coaching staff kept believing in me and telling me I would figure it all out moving forward. They were right as my final game I managed to catch 3 TDs and really put a cap on my first season. The hard work paid off as I wound up being drafted in the third round of the ISFL draft by the reigning champions San Jose. I never thought I would go that early and it's all a testament to the work I put in. I will note that I am not quite ready for that ISFL level and will be returning to Myrtle Beach for another season of DSFL football. I am looking forward to playing with or against all of you.
This league is an amazing experience and you are going to be welcomed with open arms. I hope you embrace the league back and find that there is no better place to play football than right here.
Wishing you all the best on draft night and stop by when in town and me and the Buccs will get you some rum.
Zach
You're time to shine is almost here with the DSFL draft just a few days away. Before all that happens I wanted to write you all this letter so that you know what to expect on this DSFL journey.
By now you have probably been scouted by teams in the league. Those conversations you had are no doubt some of the most important things in terms of your draft stock. The GMs and scouts all have their own formulas but I know that they all place great importance on each of those conversations. A prospect really needs to be himself and stand up for how he wants his career to play out. I know I had many scouts asking about my openness to change positions and I told them I wanted to be a wide receiver. Holding firm and showing scouts you won't be a push over and are going to put the work in to achieve your dreams can go a long way in making you a desirable prospect.
I know you are all anxious about heading into the prospect bowl soon as well. I will tell you that the prospect bowl experience is going to be on of the best. This is the first time you will really be in a locker room with a whole professional team. Take advantage of watching how these guys prepare for important games and how the coaching staff acts. This will be your first time under the lights of the DSFL so do what you can to be ready because you never know who will be watching. Speaking of those watching, the prospect bowl is also the last chance you really have to put your name out there. Look at my former teammate, Owen Holloway, for example. That man ran all over the field in his games and became a household name over night. He just went early in the ISFL draft this year and at least part of that is from the name he built starting with the prospect bowl.
So all the pressure of scouting interviews and the prospect bowl will culminate with the big event, the DSFL draft. The draft is one of the best, but also most nerve wracking experiences of your life. I watched surrounded by friends and family and hearing my name called will always be something I remember. As a small wide receiver out of an FCS school I was no surprised that I had to wait for over 60 players to be taken before me. However, the beauty of this league is that everyone will have that moment and all of you will remember it for the rest of your lives. The other beautiful thing is that draft position doesn't matter in our world. That's right every player will get the same contract regardless of position so don't fret if you fall farther than you wanted to the money will still be there. Just make sure you spend some of it to make yourself a better player through training or equipment and not all of trading cards.
Finally, I want to leave you with one last piece of advice. The DSFL is hard and everyone develops at their own pace. I am a prime example of this. I went into the DSFL ready to roll after having a great prospect bowl. Well I fell on my face hard.... I struggled to get catches and had so many drops during the season. Well my coaching staff kept believing in me and telling me I would figure it all out moving forward. They were right as my final game I managed to catch 3 TDs and really put a cap on my first season. The hard work paid off as I wound up being drafted in the third round of the ISFL draft by the reigning champions San Jose. I never thought I would go that early and it's all a testament to the work I put in. I will note that I am not quite ready for that ISFL level and will be returning to Myrtle Beach for another season of DSFL football. I am looking forward to playing with or against all of you.
This league is an amazing experience and you are going to be welcomed with open arms. I hope you embrace the league back and find that there is no better place to play football than right here.
Wishing you all the best on draft night and stop by when in town and me and the Buccs will get you some rum.
Zach