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Just A Thought: Palma grad keeps eye on NFL prize
John Devine Column Title
Updated: 02/21/2010 01:32:30 AM PST
http://www.montereyherald.com/sports/ci_14444026?nclick_check=1
There will be no invitation to the NFL combines next week, no scheduled workouts for NFL teams or scouts, no hope of being drafted in April.
Instead, Luke Lippincott is coaching junior varsity baseball in Reno, while rehabbing a toe that prematurely ended his collegiate football career in November for the University of Nevada.
"I hope to be back at full strength by May so I can workout out for teams,'' Lippincott said. "All I can focus on right now is healing my toe. I'm lifting weights and biking. But I still can't run.''
Lippincott, who prepped at Palma, had put his name back on NFL draft boards this past fall by coming back from a knee injury in 2008 to rush for over 1,000 yards, averaging 7.8 yards each time he touched the ball.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound running back was rated a potential late-round pick by NFL scouts before suffering a toe injury, putting him back in rehab for the third time in his college career.
"Before the injury, a handful of NFL teams had me fill out forms,'' Lippincott said. "But no one has contacted me since the surgery. I'm not overly worried. I'm trying to get ready for a Pro Day in May.
Lippincott, 24, was among the top 50 in the nation in rushing last year with 1,034 yards. Two years earlier, he set a Nevada single-season rushing record with 1,420 yards.
His numbers would seem to warrant interest from prospective NFL teams. His list of injuries, though, might scare a few teams off.
"I don't think anyone will draft
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me,'' said Lippincott, who has not hired an agent. "I am not worried about the draft. All I want to do is get signed by a team that will give me the time of day.''
Described as a tweener by some prospective scouts, Lippincott doesn't have a 40-yard dash time to wow teams as a tailback, yet at 225 pounds, he might not be big enough to be a fullback in the NFL.
An instinctive runner who displays outstanding vision, Lippincott weaves through traffic and can create yardage on his own with deceptive speed, lower body strength and the ability to brake tackles.
Over the course of four years at Nevada, Lippincott produced 34 touchdowns on the ground or through the air. He started two games last year for the Wolf Pack as a receiver.
"I believe one of my pluses is that I can catch the ball out of the backfield,'' said Lippincott, who caught 45 passes during his career at Nevada.
Will that be enough to entice an NFL team to sign him to a free agent contract before camps open in July? A lot will likely hinge on whether Lippincott can be back at full strength and regain his speed.
Three years ago former Palma grad Michael Gasperson was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason after an off-season of rehabbing an injured knee, spending two seasons on the teams practice squad.
"Football isn't all I have in store for myself,'' Lippincott said. "I have thought about the fact that I may have played my last game. But I'm rehabbing with the thought that I'll be in a camp in July.''
If the NFL does not reach out to Lippincott, he could turn to the United Football League or the Canadian Football League.
"That is an option,'' said Lippincott.
Lippincott has also had conversations with Olympian and Monterey graduate Nick Cunningham, who went from a sprinter in track and field to an Olympic bobsledder.
"His story inspires me,'' said Lippincott, who played four sports at Palma as a junior. "Just because one sport does not work out doesn't mean you can't go in another direction."
In the meantime, Lippincott is finishing up his master's degree, biking and lifting each day and coaching baseball, a sport he has considered going back to.
"I've thought about playing baseball if football doesn't work out,'' Lippincott said. "But I haven't closed that book. My intentions are to play professional football.''
John Devine can be reached at jdevine@montereyherald.com and 646-4405.
John Devine Column Title
Updated: 02/21/2010 01:32:30 AM PST
http://www.montereyherald.com/sports/ci_14444026?nclick_check=1
There will be no invitation to the NFL combines next week, no scheduled workouts for NFL teams or scouts, no hope of being drafted in April.
Instead, Luke Lippincott is coaching junior varsity baseball in Reno, while rehabbing a toe that prematurely ended his collegiate football career in November for the University of Nevada.
"I hope to be back at full strength by May so I can workout out for teams,'' Lippincott said. "All I can focus on right now is healing my toe. I'm lifting weights and biking. But I still can't run.''
Lippincott, who prepped at Palma, had put his name back on NFL draft boards this past fall by coming back from a knee injury in 2008 to rush for over 1,000 yards, averaging 7.8 yards each time he touched the ball.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound running back was rated a potential late-round pick by NFL scouts before suffering a toe injury, putting him back in rehab for the third time in his college career.
"Before the injury, a handful of NFL teams had me fill out forms,'' Lippincott said. "But no one has contacted me since the surgery. I'm not overly worried. I'm trying to get ready for a Pro Day in May.
Lippincott, 24, was among the top 50 in the nation in rushing last year with 1,034 yards. Two years earlier, he set a Nevada single-season rushing record with 1,420 yards.
His numbers would seem to warrant interest from prospective NFL teams. His list of injuries, though, might scare a few teams off.
"I don't think anyone will draft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
me,'' said Lippincott, who has not hired an agent. "I am not worried about the draft. All I want to do is get signed by a team that will give me the time of day.''
Described as a tweener by some prospective scouts, Lippincott doesn't have a 40-yard dash time to wow teams as a tailback, yet at 225 pounds, he might not be big enough to be a fullback in the NFL.
An instinctive runner who displays outstanding vision, Lippincott weaves through traffic and can create yardage on his own with deceptive speed, lower body strength and the ability to brake tackles.
Over the course of four years at Nevada, Lippincott produced 34 touchdowns on the ground or through the air. He started two games last year for the Wolf Pack as a receiver.
"I believe one of my pluses is that I can catch the ball out of the backfield,'' said Lippincott, who caught 45 passes during his career at Nevada.
Will that be enough to entice an NFL team to sign him to a free agent contract before camps open in July? A lot will likely hinge on whether Lippincott can be back at full strength and regain his speed.
Three years ago former Palma grad Michael Gasperson was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason after an off-season of rehabbing an injured knee, spending two seasons on the teams practice squad.
"Football isn't all I have in store for myself,'' Lippincott said. "I have thought about the fact that I may have played my last game. But I'm rehabbing with the thought that I'll be in a camp in July.''
If the NFL does not reach out to Lippincott, he could turn to the United Football League or the Canadian Football League.
"That is an option,'' said Lippincott.
Lippincott has also had conversations with Olympian and Monterey graduate Nick Cunningham, who went from a sprinter in track and field to an Olympic bobsledder.
"His story inspires me,'' said Lippincott, who played four sports at Palma as a junior. "Just because one sport does not work out doesn't mean you can't go in another direction."
In the meantime, Lippincott is finishing up his master's degree, biking and lifting each day and coaching baseball, a sport he has considered going back to.
"I've thought about playing baseball if football doesn't work out,'' Lippincott said. "But I haven't closed that book. My intentions are to play professional football.''
John Devine can be reached at jdevine@montereyherald.com and 646-4405.