Only a handful of Division II and Division III players get drafted in the NFL Draft each year, and only a handful more even get a tryout after the draft is over. This year, the feature position among these two levels is receiver, where three guys have a chance to get drafted or at least a great shot after the draft is over.
Edmund Gates of Abilene Christian is viewed as a potential Top 100 selection in the draft thanks to has outstanding athletic ability. Cecil Shorts III of Mount Union has been riding on the Pierre Garcon train, hoping to be another Mount Union receiver to latch on in the NFL.
And the other? ZaVious Robbins of Hardin-Simmons.
Full Interview Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhKCa3YmbQU
Hailing from a small, Division III school, ZaVious has an uphill battle on his journey to the NFL. But it didn’t have to be that way. Coming out of high school, ZaVious had many offers from legitimate football programs.
ZaVious got scholarship or walk-on offers from both Texas A&M and Houston. But being the type of student he is, he was looking for the perfect mix of “academics and football.” On the other side of the spectrum, he was recruited for his academics by Harvard, Yale, and Brown, but turned them down because they were simply too far away.
“Harvard actually reccomended Hardin-Simmons [in Texas], which sold me, as they were always a school I was looking. Hardin-Simmons just had everything I was looking for, academic and football size.”
ZaVious went on to a very productive and electrifying career at Hardin-Simmons where he was featured as the go-to receiver and return-man. But despite that success, he wasn’t able to get the attention of the major media, the fans, and most importantly, the NFL scouts.
However, it wasn’t until these past few weeks that teams really started to take note of our favorite sleeper since mid-season. ZaVious was able to go to the UTEP Pro Day where he started to garner some attention. Then, he really exploded at the Abilene Christian Pro Day on March 21st. His numbers are below:
UTEP Pro Day: 10″6′ Broad Jump ; 39′ Vertical ; 4.31 Forty Yard Dash
Abilene Christian Pro Day: 10″8′ Broad Jump; 43′ Vertical, 4.31 Forty Yard Dash
For the record, his Broad Jump would have put him tied for 7th among receivers at the NFL Combine, and his Vertical and 40 time would have been tops at the NFL Combine.
“[At the Abilene Christian Pro Day], I was one of only four receivers to be asked to run routes. Afterwards, I had five interviews with teams and many calls throughout the week.”
But despite that attention from scouts and those tremendously impressive workout numbers, there are still two concerns that may push ZaVious out of the seven rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft: Level of competition and size.
“[The lack of attention] hasn’t bothered me at all. [My family and I] knew we were going up hill, but now, ten teams overall have contacted me. It’s a blessing for me, coming from a small school. I believe I’m right there with [Edmund Gates and Cecil Shorts]. I think we will all be able to make contributions in the NFL.”
As for the size concern, ZaVious has been working towards bulking up his 5’8, 165 pound frame.
“Now that the Pro Day is done, gaining weight is next on the list. I’m going to try and gain weight while keeping my speed. I’m aiming to get around 180 by the time the NFL season starts. I did gain 17 pounds from my junior to senior season, so I know I can do it.”
If teams aren’t willing to take that chance on this stellar Division III talent in the seven rounds of the draft, ZaVious will have some tough choices to make. Thanks to the NFL Lockout, teams are unable to sign prospects after the draft, leaving potential undrafted free agents with no place really to go. I asked ZaVious if he’d be open to playing in the CFL or UFL in the short term.
“I’m completely open to those opportunities, I love the game. I’m on a five year plan right now. But, I do plan on getting drafted.”
ZaVious is one of, if not our top, favorite prospects in this draft because of how mature, educated, well-rounded, athletic, and willing of a prospect and a person he is. Getting drafted won’t be easy, but based on those raw workout numbers, his college production and film, and the recent and abundant attention he’s gotten from NFL teams in recent weeks, don’t be surprised to hear “ZaVious Robbins” somewhere on draft day.
Full Interview Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhKCa3YmbQU
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