cowboyjoe
03-31-2010, 11:00 PM
Kent State's Jameson Konz’ versatility his best asset entering NFL Draft
Photos
.Senior Jameson Konz, who played multiple positions at Kent State, hopes to have success in the NFL draft thanks to his versatility to play both sides of the ball effectively.
http://www.thesuburbanite.com/archive/x38422859/g12c000cbc5f19085093bfc7ee9025a4799f3e75735cc76.jp g
The Suburbanite
Posted Mar 31, 2010 @ 07:34 AM
Last update Mar 31, 2010 @ 12:48 PM
Lake TWP, Ohio — Josh Cribbs paved the way, Antonio Gates made the transition, James Harrison worked for years to do it and Julian Edelman is the most recent to make the successful leap from Kent State to the NFL.
Now, Kent State’s Jameson Konz hopes to follow in the footsteps of his Golden Flash brethren as he prepares himself for April’s NFL Draft.
Konz was a virtual journeyman during his Kent State career. The Lake High School alum was recruited as an outside linebacker and switched between that position and defensive ends for the first three years at Kent State. In his junior season, however, Kent State coach Doug Martin saw a quality in Konz that a lot of NFL scouts are just beginning to see: versatility.
Konz’ duties then doubled as he got time on defense at outside linebacker and offense as a tight end. The December Kent State graduate then returned his senior season and focused strictly on offense as a wide receiver/tight end. He is entering next month’s draft as a fullback/tight end/H-back.
Getting switched up every season wasn’t a big deal for Konz. He said no matter where he lined up he would try to help his team in any way possible.
“It's been so different every year, playing linebacker one year, getting switched playing defense and then offense,” he said. “I just try to put on film the best that I can do every play.”
Martin said the fact that Konz was able to make the transition from defense to offense so smooth is a tribute to the type of player and person he is.
“Number one, he’s just a fantastic athlete,” Martin said. “To play both sides of the ball like he did in college shows how special he is as far as his athletic skills. I think that’s what’s really going to help him at the next level — they’re going to see that he can really do a variety of things whether they want him to play on offense or defense.”
Konz proved Martin right at his pro day workout March 11. Konz turned in a 40-yard dash time of 4.41, best among all tight ends, and a vertical jump of 46 inches. His vertical jump was not only higher than anyone at his position, but higher than anyone at the NFL combine. He is now projected to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round in April’s draft.
Lake High School coach Jeff Durbin knew about Konz’ athletic abilities when he coached Konz more than five years ago. Konz played both sides of the ball for Durbin’s Blue Streaks, scoring eight touchdowns and hauling in more than 40 catches in his junior and senior seasons all while missing the first four games of his senior campaign. He also was a standout in the defensive backfield and on special teams as a returner for Lake.
Although Konz was a versatile weapon for the Blue Streaks, his on-the-field performance was secondary to his off-the-field work ethic for Durbin.
“One of the things I remember about Jameson in high school was his work habits in the offseason,” Durbin said. “He’s always been very dedicated in terms of his weight training and conditioning in the offseason, and I think that’s had a great deal to do with his successes.”
Konz’ statistics at Kent State don’t jump off the page. In his true freshman season he played in every game, making one start on defense. He started almost every game at outside linebacker his sophomore season, recording 38 tackles (five for loss). In his final season on defense his junior year, he recorded 22 tackles and two sacks.
After switching to offense his senior year, Konz hauled in 21 catches for 298 yards and two touchdowns, ranking third on the team in all three categories.
Martin said he doesn’t think anyone should read too much into Konz’ statistics because of Kent State’s quarterback situation in 2009. The Golden Flashes had to play three different quarterbacks throughout the season, none of whom played particularly well.
“This year we had to play three different quarterbacks, so obviously (Konz) didn’t get the number of catches that we would have liked him to have and that he would have had if we had a healthy quarterback the whole year,” Martin said. “When you watch Jameson play, in just about every game he’s making key plays, he’s making key blocks, key tackles on special teams. He’s always doing something pretty special.”
Konz also doesn’t care about his statistics; he just cares about the fact that he gives his all every time he goes out on the field.
“All you can do is go out there and play every down like it’s your last,” Konz said. “I try not to have any regrets and go out there and play like the game is supposed to be played.”
As far as next month’s draft goes, Martin has little doubt that his former player will join those Golden Flashes already making a name for themselves in the NFL.
“You’re dealing with a young man that’s very, very intelligent. He’s been a great student here, he’s walking out of here with his degree, but he also has a lot of football intelligence too. I think he’s got a great chance.”
Copyright 2010 The Suburbanite. Some rights reserved
About AP News Registry
Photos
.Senior Jameson Konz, who played multiple positions at Kent State, hopes to have success in the NFL draft thanks to his versatility to play both sides of the ball effectively.
http://www.thesuburbanite.com/archive/x38422859/g12c000cbc5f19085093bfc7ee9025a4799f3e75735cc76.jp g
The Suburbanite
Posted Mar 31, 2010 @ 07:34 AM
Last update Mar 31, 2010 @ 12:48 PM
Lake TWP, Ohio — Josh Cribbs paved the way, Antonio Gates made the transition, James Harrison worked for years to do it and Julian Edelman is the most recent to make the successful leap from Kent State to the NFL.
Now, Kent State’s Jameson Konz hopes to follow in the footsteps of his Golden Flash brethren as he prepares himself for April’s NFL Draft.
Konz was a virtual journeyman during his Kent State career. The Lake High School alum was recruited as an outside linebacker and switched between that position and defensive ends for the first three years at Kent State. In his junior season, however, Kent State coach Doug Martin saw a quality in Konz that a lot of NFL scouts are just beginning to see: versatility.
Konz’ duties then doubled as he got time on defense at outside linebacker and offense as a tight end. The December Kent State graduate then returned his senior season and focused strictly on offense as a wide receiver/tight end. He is entering next month’s draft as a fullback/tight end/H-back.
Getting switched up every season wasn’t a big deal for Konz. He said no matter where he lined up he would try to help his team in any way possible.
“It's been so different every year, playing linebacker one year, getting switched playing defense and then offense,” he said. “I just try to put on film the best that I can do every play.”
Martin said the fact that Konz was able to make the transition from defense to offense so smooth is a tribute to the type of player and person he is.
“Number one, he’s just a fantastic athlete,” Martin said. “To play both sides of the ball like he did in college shows how special he is as far as his athletic skills. I think that’s what’s really going to help him at the next level — they’re going to see that he can really do a variety of things whether they want him to play on offense or defense.”
Konz proved Martin right at his pro day workout March 11. Konz turned in a 40-yard dash time of 4.41, best among all tight ends, and a vertical jump of 46 inches. His vertical jump was not only higher than anyone at his position, but higher than anyone at the NFL combine. He is now projected to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round in April’s draft.
Lake High School coach Jeff Durbin knew about Konz’ athletic abilities when he coached Konz more than five years ago. Konz played both sides of the ball for Durbin’s Blue Streaks, scoring eight touchdowns and hauling in more than 40 catches in his junior and senior seasons all while missing the first four games of his senior campaign. He also was a standout in the defensive backfield and on special teams as a returner for Lake.
Although Konz was a versatile weapon for the Blue Streaks, his on-the-field performance was secondary to his off-the-field work ethic for Durbin.
“One of the things I remember about Jameson in high school was his work habits in the offseason,” Durbin said. “He’s always been very dedicated in terms of his weight training and conditioning in the offseason, and I think that’s had a great deal to do with his successes.”
Konz’ statistics at Kent State don’t jump off the page. In his true freshman season he played in every game, making one start on defense. He started almost every game at outside linebacker his sophomore season, recording 38 tackles (five for loss). In his final season on defense his junior year, he recorded 22 tackles and two sacks.
After switching to offense his senior year, Konz hauled in 21 catches for 298 yards and two touchdowns, ranking third on the team in all three categories.
Martin said he doesn’t think anyone should read too much into Konz’ statistics because of Kent State’s quarterback situation in 2009. The Golden Flashes had to play three different quarterbacks throughout the season, none of whom played particularly well.
“This year we had to play three different quarterbacks, so obviously (Konz) didn’t get the number of catches that we would have liked him to have and that he would have had if we had a healthy quarterback the whole year,” Martin said. “When you watch Jameson play, in just about every game he’s making key plays, he’s making key blocks, key tackles on special teams. He’s always doing something pretty special.”
Konz also doesn’t care about his statistics; he just cares about the fact that he gives his all every time he goes out on the field.
“All you can do is go out there and play every down like it’s your last,” Konz said. “I try not to have any regrets and go out there and play like the game is supposed to be played.”
As far as next month’s draft goes, Martin has little doubt that his former player will join those Golden Flashes already making a name for themselves in the NFL.
“You’re dealing with a young man that’s very, very intelligent. He’s been a great student here, he’s walking out of here with his degree, but he also has a lot of football intelligence too. I think he’s got a great chance.”
Copyright 2010 The Suburbanite. Some rights reserved
About AP News Registry