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Despite Struggles, Maryland Produces NFL Talent
http://www.csnwashington.com/04/05/...nding_maryland.html?blockID=210609&feedID=276
Recommend Comment(0) Email Print Sharing RSS Monday, April 5, 2010 8:47 PM
By Sebastian Salazar
CSNwashington.com
When Maryland recruits its future football players, Ralph Friedgen can throw out some big names.
Vernon Davis, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Shawne Merriman are all first-round draft picks to come out of Maryland. But the biggest name Friedgen can drop when trying to convince high school prospects to come to College Park is one even the most die-hard fan may not know.
Dwight Galt.
"He just does such a great job as far as bringing young guys along," Vernon Davis, now entering his fifth year with San Francisco, said of Maryland's long-time Director of Strength and Conditioning. "He really helped me, he got me as strong as an ox. I give him a lot of credit as far as bringing players along."
Plenty of outgoing Terps sang Galt's praises at Maryland's Pro Day last month, but his track record speaks for itself. Along with the big names, Maryland has put plenty of lesser known talent in the NFL. In fact, there are more Terps currently on NFL rosters (31) than Maryland wins over the past half-decade (30).
"We are definitely starting to get a reputation," Galt said when asked about Maryland's penchant for putting players in the pros. "We've had some pro days where the scouts just kind of shake their heads. They're the ones that started the whole thing and kind of gave us the reputation."
That reputation has meant big bucks for some recent Maryland players. Last year, Darrius Heyward-Bey was considered a late first or early second round pick before he ran a 4.3 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. That time, the best at the combine, moved Heyward-Bey into the top 10 where the Oakland Raiders took the playmaking wideout with the 7th overall pick. His rookie contract earned Heyward-Bey over 20 million dollars in guaranteed money, a number that recruits--and their parents--can't ignore.
"I think that helps," Offensive Coordinator James Franklin said when asked what Maryland's reputation as a professional pipeline means on the recruiting trail. "That's constantly on television and people are talking about those numbers and how many players different teams have in the NFL. I think besides Miami we have as much as anybody in the ACC, so I think that's a major factor."
"I say 'When you are done, you will be prepared physically for the NFL," Galt says of his pitch to recruits. "Now the reputation precedes it and the kids have heard it before and it's a good recruiting tool."
The reputation extends to the NFL scouts who visit College Park on a yearly basis. One AFC South scout said that Maryland's Pro Day is consistently one of the most well run pro days on his schedule. 23 years of experience at Maryland has earned Galt the trust of those making decisions at the professional level, something he doesn't take for granted.
"I'm honest with them about our kids, so they trust me," Galt said. "I'm trying to give our kids just a little bit of an advantage, the scouts watch the film and do the measurables."
One former Terp who stands to benefit from Galt's uncanny ability to prepare players for the next level is Nolan Carroll. Carroll broke his leg in Maryland's second game last fall and missed the remainder of the season. With just six starts on his college resume, Carroll could have easily been overlooked in the upcoming NFL draft. But at Maryland's pro day he posted an impressive 4.39 in the 40-yard dash and a 37 1/2 vertical leap. Suddenly, Carroll was back on NFL draft boards.
"To me, Nolan Carroll is a sure thing," Galt said with a hint of pride in his voice. "He's a big kid. He's strong; he's a great athlete, an awesome kid, and an awesome person. He's a kid that is so easy for me to go out on a limb for, because he's going to make it."
And if Carroll does make it… he--like many other Maryland players before him--will have Galt to thank.
Watch Nolan Carroll's vertical jump from Maryland's Pro Day.
http://www.csnwashington.com/04/05/...nding_maryland.html?blockID=210609&feedID=276
Recommend Comment(0) Email Print Sharing RSS Monday, April 5, 2010 8:47 PM
By Sebastian Salazar
CSNwashington.com
When Maryland recruits its future football players, Ralph Friedgen can throw out some big names.
Vernon Davis, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Shawne Merriman are all first-round draft picks to come out of Maryland. But the biggest name Friedgen can drop when trying to convince high school prospects to come to College Park is one even the most die-hard fan may not know.
Dwight Galt.
"He just does such a great job as far as bringing young guys along," Vernon Davis, now entering his fifth year with San Francisco, said of Maryland's long-time Director of Strength and Conditioning. "He really helped me, he got me as strong as an ox. I give him a lot of credit as far as bringing players along."
Plenty of outgoing Terps sang Galt's praises at Maryland's Pro Day last month, but his track record speaks for itself. Along with the big names, Maryland has put plenty of lesser known talent in the NFL. In fact, there are more Terps currently on NFL rosters (31) than Maryland wins over the past half-decade (30).
"We are definitely starting to get a reputation," Galt said when asked about Maryland's penchant for putting players in the pros. "We've had some pro days where the scouts just kind of shake their heads. They're the ones that started the whole thing and kind of gave us the reputation."
That reputation has meant big bucks for some recent Maryland players. Last year, Darrius Heyward-Bey was considered a late first or early second round pick before he ran a 4.3 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. That time, the best at the combine, moved Heyward-Bey into the top 10 where the Oakland Raiders took the playmaking wideout with the 7th overall pick. His rookie contract earned Heyward-Bey over 20 million dollars in guaranteed money, a number that recruits--and their parents--can't ignore.
"I think that helps," Offensive Coordinator James Franklin said when asked what Maryland's reputation as a professional pipeline means on the recruiting trail. "That's constantly on television and people are talking about those numbers and how many players different teams have in the NFL. I think besides Miami we have as much as anybody in the ACC, so I think that's a major factor."
"I say 'When you are done, you will be prepared physically for the NFL," Galt says of his pitch to recruits. "Now the reputation precedes it and the kids have heard it before and it's a good recruiting tool."
The reputation extends to the NFL scouts who visit College Park on a yearly basis. One AFC South scout said that Maryland's Pro Day is consistently one of the most well run pro days on his schedule. 23 years of experience at Maryland has earned Galt the trust of those making decisions at the professional level, something he doesn't take for granted.
"I'm honest with them about our kids, so they trust me," Galt said. "I'm trying to give our kids just a little bit of an advantage, the scouts watch the film and do the measurables."
One former Terp who stands to benefit from Galt's uncanny ability to prepare players for the next level is Nolan Carroll. Carroll broke his leg in Maryland's second game last fall and missed the remainder of the season. With just six starts on his college resume, Carroll could have easily been overlooked in the upcoming NFL draft. But at Maryland's pro day he posted an impressive 4.39 in the 40-yard dash and a 37 1/2 vertical leap. Suddenly, Carroll was back on NFL draft boards.
"To me, Nolan Carroll is a sure thing," Galt said with a hint of pride in his voice. "He's a big kid. He's strong; he's a great athlete, an awesome kid, and an awesome person. He's a kid that is so easy for me to go out on a limb for, because he's going to make it."
And if Carroll does make it… he--like many other Maryland players before him--will have Galt to thank.
Watch Nolan Carroll's vertical jump from Maryland's Pro Day.
DAL @ GB
