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Informed today of the NSFL’s plans to create a developmental league, the DSFL, quarterback Clifford Rove could not contain his excitement. Jane Winter sat down with Rove for an installment of “ESPN’s Path to Stardom” in the lead up to the draft. In case you couldn’t catch the segment, the transcript is below.
Jane Winter (JW): Thanks for joining us Clifford.
Clifford Rove (CR): Thanks for having me, pleasure to be here today.
JW: So I’m sure you’ve heard the news that the NSFL has slated a new league with a developmental focus, the DSFL, to begin next season. What are your thoughts on this?
CR: You know Jane I think its really great. With such a young league there aren’t that many openings at a position like mine where teams only need one or two of you. Hopefully this league will give me the chance to get the reps I need to really perfect my game and reach my dream of starting in the NSFL.
JW: How many years do you think it’ll be until that point?
CR: To be honest I can’t really say. I’m just glad that the DSFL will be there for me, and I’ll have a great opportunity to show what I can do, and keep competing while learning what it takes to be a professional football player.
JW: You’ll be the first to admit that you aren’t the fastest or the strongest guy out there, yet you’re still here at the next level. What do you attribute your success to?
CR: [laughs] Yeah I look at some of these guys and just think to myself “if only I had that arm, or if only I could move like him”, but in reality I think that because I may not be as talented as everyone I’ve really had to work hard to get to where I want to be. You can find me in the film room every day just learning the sets and studying their defense, so come game day I’m ready. And I think that sort of stuff really rubs off on the guys, and has allowed me to become the leader that a lot of coaches look for in a quarterback. I know that if I prepare and am 100% by game day, the other team is going to be in for a long one.
JW: You played all four of your college years at Michigan, and I was wondering if you had any one moment that you would view as the highlight of your time as a wolverine?
CR: Every day I would wake up and pinch myself. It had been a dream since being a little kid to go to Michigan and play football. Beating Michigan State and Ohio State was nice, but when I think back to my favorite memories its always ones hanging out with my teammates. I’m a competitor and I love to win, but winning isn’t fun unless you have a band of brothers to share it with. I’m happy that in my time there I was able to form such strong connections while also playing football at the highest level available to me.
JW: With the draft coming up, is there any team that you see as a good fit, or maybe someplace you hope to end up when its all said and done?
CR: I want to play for whoever puts faith in me to come out and produce. That’s the honest truth. I don’t care about where in the country, east or west, any team that has confidence in me I’ll be happy to play for.
JW: Even if that entails an extended stay in the DSFL?
CR: I’m just like everybody else, I’m here to play in the NSFL. But if playing a couple years in the DSFL is what its going to take, I’m prepared for that step. The worst thing would be to be up in the bigs before my skills are sharp enough, and make myself and my team look stupid.
JW: Finally, do you have a message for any teams or fans out there?
CR: To my fans I want to say thank you for supporting me all this way. I hope that you can all follow me along in this journey, without support like yours this road would be a lot tougher. To any teams out there, I want you to know that I give it my all 24/7, and I’m a decision that you won’t regret. No matter what it takes, I will work hard every day and produce.
Thanks for having me Jane.
JW: Thanks for spending your time with us, and good luck in the draft.
CR: Thank you.
JW: That was Clifford Rove, NSFL hopeful. I’m Jane Winter, and thanks for joining us. Catch next week’s edition of “ESPN’s Path to Stardom” for another inside look at a star prospect. Again this is Jane Winter, signing off.
GRADED
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