Life & Times of a DSFL Prospect
Owen Holloway gives a look into the pre-draft process
7/25 – I declared my intention to forgo my senior year at Kent State and enter the DSFL draft today. As convicted as I was in that decision when I made it, I can’t help but second guess myself a little bit. As much as I feel like I have what it takes to make it in the league, a lot of these teams seem set in their plans at the quarterback position. I guess in the end waiting might have just entrenched new guys in any open spots, so this was always going to be a tough decision. Nothing left to do now but just prove to these teams that I’m worth the reps they’ll be giving me.
7/26 – Heard from the Pythons today. Definitely not who I expected to contact me first among these teams. Sam Howitzer seems like a strong quarterback prospect and potential top-20 pick in the ISFL Draft. First question they asked was whether I’d be open to moving away from the quarterback position, something I expect to be asked pretty often throughout this process. Will probably get tired of answering it in a few days’ time, but I guess it’s just part of the process. Their interest seemed pretty casual at best, so can’t help but think they were just doing their due diligence. Oh well.
7/27 – Just heard from London, who might be one of my top destinations when all is said and done. They have a backup in Charlamagne Cortez who they’re probably hoping will step into the starting job, but he had some issues last season and they’re losing their primary guy from last season, so there could be a definite opportunity here. Was a much more in depth conversation, which is always a good sign. Talked a lot about strategy and what I can bring to the offense. Made my case that me and Cortez could make an effective tandem with my ability on the ground adding a new dimension for them. They play an up-tempo but run heavy offense, which I can’t help but feel would be a pretty perfect fit for my skillset. They also seemed more open to the idea of me being a quarterback first and trying alternatives later. Mark my words, there will be no alternative necessary.
7/28 – Minnesota contacted me earlier. Could be another strong opportunity to get some reps at the quarterback position. Their incumbent seems like they type of guy where you know what you’re going to get, but it won’t be enough. Did a quick film session and I haven’t seen any real development out of him in his time in the DSFL. Hopefully they’re looking for some help there. They seemed very interested overall. Seemed like they were more interested in me as a person and a fit for their group than my football abilities. Pros and cons to that, I’d think. On the one hand I hope it’s a positive sign that they consider me a quarterback. On the other, I know my skillset, and I want a team that’s willing to work with me to maximize that rather than assume they know what’s best for me. Can’t say for sure how that would play out without being a member of the team, but overall a positive development, I think.
7/28 – First day with multiple calls in one day, seems like the process is really ramping up now. Myrtle Beach this time. Wasn’t sure they’d be interested with Joestar holding down their starting spot. Wonder if there’s something I’m missing behind the scenes. Either way, this is easily a top destination for me for a lot of reasons. Joestar obviously really quickly ascended the depth chart there, and I think I could see him taking a similar trajectory in the pros, so there might be an earlier opportunity there even if it means sitting for a season. Beyond that, though, Joliet Christ recently joined their coaching staff and I can’t think of a better mentor for someone like me, maybe save for Franklin Armstrong, but he’s obviously not in the DSFL. Got to talk a little bit about Christ’s path and how he faced some of the same concerns and questions about quarterback being a long term fit for him. Was a really intriguing conversation. Would definitely be psyched if I were to be a Buccaneer on draft day.
7/29 – Kansas City made contact today. I guess I hadn’t realized this, but Covington has been skipping practices here and there recently and they’re a little worried about how long he’ll even be playing football at this point. That could obviously open a door for myself sooner than expected, which elevates Kansas City in terms of potential fits for me. Talked a little about what I could bring to the table, which is never a bad thing for me. They were the first team to ask me about some of the other guys in this class. I actually don’t know too many of them. I guess that’s one downside to playing college football for a mid-major. I have heard some rumors that Bronko Mills from Notre Dame is considering declaring for the draft, though I’m not sure what the deadline looks like for that. If he were to join that’d definitely make a great pairing as he and I go way back. He has strong ties to Tijuana, though, and I can’t see them grabbing another quarterback based on the scouting process so far.
7/30 – Radio silence. I guess this might be it for the scouting process as the league’s pre-draft process is starting soon here. Going to be a nervous wreck waiting for the live show next week. A little disappointed not to be contacted by some of these teams, even if it was just to check me off the list. Still, very excited about the teams I heard from. I think London and Myrtle Beach are looking like my preferred destinations right now, but can’t say I’m going to be picky about it by any stretch. Both Minnesota and Kansas City could wind up being good landing spots. The only team that seems like it wouldn’t be is Portland, mostly because of the situation they’re in right now with Howitzer and with the way the scouting interview went with them.
7/30 – Night of the ISFL Draft. Joestar selected by the Otters? Definitely something funky going on behind the scenes. Myrtle Beach might be in need of some more immediate help. Fingers crossed there.
7/31 – A late entry from the Sea Wolves! They reached out to schedule some time out of the day to talk. Will probably come later on today. They have the reigning MVP holding down their QB job right now, but it looks like he’ll be heading to the Otters next season. Could be a great opportunity to work with another mobile QB and take over in a season. We’ll see what happens.
Owen Holloway gives a look into the pre-draft process
7/25 – I declared my intention to forgo my senior year at Kent State and enter the DSFL draft today. As convicted as I was in that decision when I made it, I can’t help but second guess myself a little bit. As much as I feel like I have what it takes to make it in the league, a lot of these teams seem set in their plans at the quarterback position. I guess in the end waiting might have just entrenched new guys in any open spots, so this was always going to be a tough decision. Nothing left to do now but just prove to these teams that I’m worth the reps they’ll be giving me.
7/26 – Heard from the Pythons today. Definitely not who I expected to contact me first among these teams. Sam Howitzer seems like a strong quarterback prospect and potential top-20 pick in the ISFL Draft. First question they asked was whether I’d be open to moving away from the quarterback position, something I expect to be asked pretty often throughout this process. Will probably get tired of answering it in a few days’ time, but I guess it’s just part of the process. Their interest seemed pretty casual at best, so can’t help but think they were just doing their due diligence. Oh well.
7/27 – Just heard from London, who might be one of my top destinations when all is said and done. They have a backup in Charlamagne Cortez who they’re probably hoping will step into the starting job, but he had some issues last season and they’re losing their primary guy from last season, so there could be a definite opportunity here. Was a much more in depth conversation, which is always a good sign. Talked a lot about strategy and what I can bring to the offense. Made my case that me and Cortez could make an effective tandem with my ability on the ground adding a new dimension for them. They play an up-tempo but run heavy offense, which I can’t help but feel would be a pretty perfect fit for my skillset. They also seemed more open to the idea of me being a quarterback first and trying alternatives later. Mark my words, there will be no alternative necessary.
7/28 – Minnesota contacted me earlier. Could be another strong opportunity to get some reps at the quarterback position. Their incumbent seems like they type of guy where you know what you’re going to get, but it won’t be enough. Did a quick film session and I haven’t seen any real development out of him in his time in the DSFL. Hopefully they’re looking for some help there. They seemed very interested overall. Seemed like they were more interested in me as a person and a fit for their group than my football abilities. Pros and cons to that, I’d think. On the one hand I hope it’s a positive sign that they consider me a quarterback. On the other, I know my skillset, and I want a team that’s willing to work with me to maximize that rather than assume they know what’s best for me. Can’t say for sure how that would play out without being a member of the team, but overall a positive development, I think.
7/28 – First day with multiple calls in one day, seems like the process is really ramping up now. Myrtle Beach this time. Wasn’t sure they’d be interested with Joestar holding down their starting spot. Wonder if there’s something I’m missing behind the scenes. Either way, this is easily a top destination for me for a lot of reasons. Joestar obviously really quickly ascended the depth chart there, and I think I could see him taking a similar trajectory in the pros, so there might be an earlier opportunity there even if it means sitting for a season. Beyond that, though, Joliet Christ recently joined their coaching staff and I can’t think of a better mentor for someone like me, maybe save for Franklin Armstrong, but he’s obviously not in the DSFL. Got to talk a little bit about Christ’s path and how he faced some of the same concerns and questions about quarterback being a long term fit for him. Was a really intriguing conversation. Would definitely be psyched if I were to be a Buccaneer on draft day.
7/29 – Kansas City made contact today. I guess I hadn’t realized this, but Covington has been skipping practices here and there recently and they’re a little worried about how long he’ll even be playing football at this point. That could obviously open a door for myself sooner than expected, which elevates Kansas City in terms of potential fits for me. Talked a little about what I could bring to the table, which is never a bad thing for me. They were the first team to ask me about some of the other guys in this class. I actually don’t know too many of them. I guess that’s one downside to playing college football for a mid-major. I have heard some rumors that Bronko Mills from Notre Dame is considering declaring for the draft, though I’m not sure what the deadline looks like for that. If he were to join that’d definitely make a great pairing as he and I go way back. He has strong ties to Tijuana, though, and I can’t see them grabbing another quarterback based on the scouting process so far.
7/30 – Radio silence. I guess this might be it for the scouting process as the league’s pre-draft process is starting soon here. Going to be a nervous wreck waiting for the live show next week. A little disappointed not to be contacted by some of these teams, even if it was just to check me off the list. Still, very excited about the teams I heard from. I think London and Myrtle Beach are looking like my preferred destinations right now, but can’t say I’m going to be picky about it by any stretch. Both Minnesota and Kansas City could wind up being good landing spots. The only team that seems like it wouldn’t be is Portland, mostly because of the situation they’re in right now with Howitzer and with the way the scouting interview went with them.
7/30 – Night of the ISFL Draft. Joestar selected by the Otters? Definitely something funky going on behind the scenes. Myrtle Beach might be in need of some more immediate help. Fingers crossed there.
7/31 – A late entry from the Sea Wolves! They reached out to schedule some time out of the day to talk. Will probably come later on today. They have the reigning MVP holding down their QB job right now, but it looks like he’ll be heading to the Otters next season. Could be a great opportunity to work with another mobile QB and take over in a season. We’ll see what happens.