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Bellbrook native, OSU linebacker Spitler getting looks from NFL teams
http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayt...tler-getting-looks-from-nfl-teams-651335.html
By Carlos “Big C” Holmes, Staff Writer
Updated 12:55 AM Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Ohio State linebacker and Bellbrook native Austin Spitler is climbing up the draft board as we approach this month’s NFL draft. Spitler has created a buzz around the league by grabbing teams’ attention with a solid Pro Day performance last month.
His performance forced teams to go back and watch film of him. Now the linebacker is being put under a microscope by at least 15 teams. The Miami Dolphins brought Spitler in for a visit and Cleveland has expressed interest.
“The draft process has been a whirlwind,” Spitler said in a recent phone interview. “There are stressful moments, but you have to sit back and take it all in. On the other hand, it’s a fun and exciting time in your life.”
The recent attention has raised Spitler’s draft status significantly. It is no longer a question of whether or not he’ll be drafted but rather when. Spitler will likely come off the board in the sixth or seventh round.
Not many people knew about Spitler until this past season and there is a good reason for that.
Spitler had to bide his time on the Buckeyes’ defense working behind three-time All-American and Butkus Award-winning linebacker James Laurinaitis for three seasons. The linebacker could have easily gotten discouraged over the lack of playing time and transferred to another program, but quitting wasn’t an option.
“A lot of people would have taken it personally, but not me,” Spitler said. “I continued to work hard and did whatever was asked of me. I wouldn’t change anything that happened at O-State. It was a blessing in disguise.
“I don’t think I would be the player I am today without James being there and learning from one another. We pushed each other on a daily basis in the weight room, practice field and film room. I think he made me a lot better player and I think I made him a better player because of the competition we had.”
Spitler said there were some difficult moments throughout the three years but he never thought about transferring.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Spitler is a physical, hard-nosed linebacker who loves to hit and punish ball carriers. He shows good versatility, work ethic, high football IQ and doesn’t make many mistakes. Spitler’s strong point is taking on blockers and driving them backwards. He’s perfectly suited for the middle linebacker position but will be asked to do other things in the pros. He will likely earn his living playing special teams early on in his pro career. Spitler was a special-teams demon for the Buckeyes.
I believe players know players best. Former Ohio State linebacker and teammate Marcus Freeman, now an undergraduate assistant coach, shared his thoughts on Spitler.
“Spit is a very good football player,” Freeman said. “I don’t think he received enough credit for the things he did while on the field. He was a guy that we always knew could get the job done. We knew if anything happened to James and he stepped in there wouldn’t be much change. I think he’s going to surprise some team once they get him in camp. He’s definitely a player.”
http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayt...tler-getting-looks-from-nfl-teams-651335.html
By Carlos “Big C” Holmes, Staff Writer
Updated 12:55 AM Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Ohio State linebacker and Bellbrook native Austin Spitler is climbing up the draft board as we approach this month’s NFL draft. Spitler has created a buzz around the league by grabbing teams’ attention with a solid Pro Day performance last month.
His performance forced teams to go back and watch film of him. Now the linebacker is being put under a microscope by at least 15 teams. The Miami Dolphins brought Spitler in for a visit and Cleveland has expressed interest.
“The draft process has been a whirlwind,” Spitler said in a recent phone interview. “There are stressful moments, but you have to sit back and take it all in. On the other hand, it’s a fun and exciting time in your life.”
The recent attention has raised Spitler’s draft status significantly. It is no longer a question of whether or not he’ll be drafted but rather when. Spitler will likely come off the board in the sixth or seventh round.
Not many people knew about Spitler until this past season and there is a good reason for that.
Spitler had to bide his time on the Buckeyes’ defense working behind three-time All-American and Butkus Award-winning linebacker James Laurinaitis for three seasons. The linebacker could have easily gotten discouraged over the lack of playing time and transferred to another program, but quitting wasn’t an option.
“A lot of people would have taken it personally, but not me,” Spitler said. “I continued to work hard and did whatever was asked of me. I wouldn’t change anything that happened at O-State. It was a blessing in disguise.
“I don’t think I would be the player I am today without James being there and learning from one another. We pushed each other on a daily basis in the weight room, practice field and film room. I think he made me a lot better player and I think I made him a better player because of the competition we had.”
Spitler said there were some difficult moments throughout the three years but he never thought about transferring.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Spitler is a physical, hard-nosed linebacker who loves to hit and punish ball carriers. He shows good versatility, work ethic, high football IQ and doesn’t make many mistakes. Spitler’s strong point is taking on blockers and driving them backwards. He’s perfectly suited for the middle linebacker position but will be asked to do other things in the pros. He will likely earn his living playing special teams early on in his pro career. Spitler was a special-teams demon for the Buckeyes.
I believe players know players best. Former Ohio State linebacker and teammate Marcus Freeman, now an undergraduate assistant coach, shared his thoughts on Spitler.
“Spit is a very good football player,” Freeman said. “I don’t think he received enough credit for the things he did while on the field. He was a guy that we always knew could get the job done. We knew if anything happened to James and he stepped in there wouldn’t be much change. I think he’s going to surprise some team once they get him in camp. He’s definitely a player.”
DAL @ GB
