Even elite Division III players battle the odds of making an NFL roster

Getting an invitation for a tryout at an NFL team’s rookie minicamp is a definite step in the right direction. To be signed by a team following a tryout has been a long shot for most Division III athletes.

Justin Beaver got his shot following his record breaking career at Whitewater. Beaver’s NFL Pro Day in Madison made headlines around NFL circles.

Beaver’s Pro Day numbers stunned NFL scouts that were in attendance at the University of Wisconsin’s McClain Center that morning in early 2008.

The former Palmyra-Eagle star ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds. That run would have placed him as the fifth-fastest running back at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis if he had been invited and had duplicated the feat there.

His 3.96-second 20-yard shuttle time was better than any of the Combine backs. And his 24 bench reps would have put him in the top ten among running backs in that category.

To put the numbers in further context, here’s a breakdown of Beaver’s Pro Day numbers compared to Darren Mcfadden who would be selected the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Beaver ran everything fast, with the biggest difference in the 40-yard dash where he ran a solid 4.45 to Mcfadden’s 4.33.

Justin had quicker times in the 20-yard shuttle and three-cone and the three-cone drill. Beaver's 25 reps of 225 pounds stand out compared to Mcfadden's 13.

Two years later another UW-Whitewater football player, Lane Olson, put together Pro Day numbers that rivaled the best at the 2011 NFL Combine.

Olson’s 39” vertical jump is 1 ½ inches more than the closest strong safety (David Sims/Iowa State) at the ’10 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. His 28 reps 225 pound bench press is four more than the closest strong safety at the Combine. His 6.4 time in three-cone also tops all strong safeties in Indianapolis. Topping strong safeties at the Combine was Shiloh Keo’s (Boise State) 6.55 time. Olson also posted a 3.90 agility drill (20 yard cone) which was the top time among Combine strong safeties. Meanwhile, Lanes 10’4” standing broad jump distance tied him with Robert Sands of West Virginia as the longest at the Combine.

The average football fan would have thought that both Beaver and Olson were “slam dunks” to earn an undrafted free agent contract.

It didn’t happen.

A number of national publications portrayed Beaver, a 5-foot-7, 191-pound running back out of Division III UW-Whitewater is stereotyped as too small to play running back at the NFL level. The same was said about Olson who checked in with an official height of 5’8 ½ and 205 lbs.

Olson who was a linebacker his final three years at UW-Whitewater was projected as a strong safety in the NFL.

In NFL circles, size does matter and playing college football at the Division III level often produces “red flags” when considering a D III athlete in the NFL Draft or signing undrafted free agents.

Getting an invitation for a tryout at an NFL team’s rookie minicamp is a definite step in the right direction. To be signed by a team following a tryout has been a long shot for most Division III athletes.

Justin Beaver got his shot following his record breaking career at Whitewater. Hia NFL Pro Day in Madison made headlines around NFL circles.

Beaver’s Pro Day numbers stunned NFL scouts that were in attendance at the University of Wisconsin’s McClain Center that morning in early 2008.

The former Palmyra-Eagle star ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds. That run would have placed him as the fifth-fastest running back at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis if he had been invited and had duplicated the feat there. His 3.96-second 20-yard shuttle time was better than any of the Combine backs.

His 24 bench reps would have put him in the top ten among running backs in that category. To put the numbers in further context, here’s a breakdown of Beaver’s Pro Day numbers compared to Darren Mcfadden who would be selected the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Beaver ran everything fast, with the biggest difference in the 40-yard dash where he ran a solid 4.45 to Mcfadden’s 4.33. Justin had quicker times in the 20-yard shuttle and three-cone and the three-cone drill. Beaver's 25 reps of 225 pounds stand out compared to Mcfadden's 13.

Two years later another for UW-Whitewater football player, Lane Olson, put together Pro Day numbers that rivaled the best at the 2011 NFL Combine.

Olson’s 39” vertical jump is 1 ½ inches more than the closest strong safety (David Sims/Iowa State) at the ’10 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. His 28 reps 225 pound bench press is four more than the closest strong safety at the Combine.

His 6.4 time in three-cone also tops all strong safeties in Indianapolis. Topping strong safeties at the Combine was Shiloh Keo’s (Boise State) 6.55 time. Olson also posted a 3.90 agility drill (20 yard cone) which was the top time among Combine strong safeties. Meanwhile, Lanes 10’4” standing broad jump distance tied him with Robert Sands of West Virginia as the longest at the Combine.

The average football fan would have thought that both Beaver and Olson were “slam dunks” to earn an undrafted free agent contract. It didn’t happen.

A number of national publications portrayed Beaver, a 5-foot-7, 191-pound running back out of Division III UW-Whitewater is stereotyped as too small to play running back at the NFL level. The same was said about Olson who checked in with an official height of 5’8 ½ and 205 lbs. Olson who was a linebacker his final three years at UW-Whitewater was projected as a strong safety in the NFL.

In NFL circles, size does matter and playing college football at the Division III level often produces “red flags” when considering a D III athlete in the NFL Draft or signing undrafted free agents.

Beaver eventually signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League and was on the team’s “practice squad” in his only year with the club. Justin returned to the United States and is a highly successful teacher and coach at Jefferson High School. He and wife Amber are expecting their first child this summer.

Olson never did receive an invitation to a rookie minicamp tryout and was out of football in 2011. The former UW-Whitewater linebacker is playing this spring with Rhinos Milano of the Italian Football League. Olson currently plays defensive back and wide receiver for Rhinos Milano of the Italian Professional Football League. He is one of four players from the United States on the team’s 2012 roster.

Three former Warhawks – Matt Blanchard (QB), Casey Casper (Long Snapper) and Kris Rosholt (Punter) are the next in line in seeking an NFL career. Casper and Rosholt have been invited to the Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp the weekend of May 11th. The same weekend, Blanchard will be at the Chicago Bears rookie minicamp.

No. 3 St. Thomas will bring a 13-0 record to Perkins Stadium on Saturday

St. Thomas seniors quarterback Dakota Tracy and wide receiver Fritz Waldvogel used their experience to lead the St. Thomas football team to a 45-10 victory over St. John Fisher. After three years of bowing out in the NCAA quarterfinals, the team will finally get to experience the semifinals.

The Tommie seniors will leave the comforts of Palmer Field for good as UST travels down I 94/90 to Whitewater to play the two-time defending NCAA Division III national champion UW-Whitewater Warhawks with the winner of Saturday’s game earning a berth in the December 16th Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia.

After three straight games in O’Shaughnessy Stadium in St. Paul, the Tommies will hit the road to play a Whitewater team that Caruso calls “the standard” in Division-III football.

“We are working hard to be in the position that Whitewater is in,” Caruso said. “This is such an enormous step for us because if we want to get there, we’ll have to go through them.”

The Warhawks have won the national championship three of the last four years and are undefeated and largely unchallenged this season.

Whitewater senior running back Levell Coppage has 1,919 yards and 27 touchdowns this season behind a big offensive line.

“They have a legitimate run game,” Caruso said. “Their offensive line is a lot like ours. Coach K (Wallie Kuchinski) and our defense are going to have their hands full this week.”

Whitewater advanced to its seventh consecutive berth in the semifinal round with a 34-14 victory over Salisbury (Maryland) Saturday afternoon at Perkins Stadium.

To view video highlights of the Tommies 45-10 quarterfinal win over St. John Fisher CLICK HERE

What has the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt written about UWW's win over Salisibury?

Tom Haudicourt is one of the top Major League Baseball writers in America. The veteran baseball writer attended a game at Perkins Stadium during the regular season and indicated he'd be back to cover a Hawk game professionally. Haudicourt has been front and center in the Perkins Stadium press box the past three Saturdays.

To find out what Haudricourt has written about UW-Whitewater's 34-14 national quarterfinal win over Salisbury (Maryland) CLICK HERE

Warhawks join St. Thomas, Mount Union and Wesley in NCAA Division III semifinal

Next Saturday's NCAA Division III semifinal games are set as UW-Whitewater, St. Thomas, Mount Union, and Wesley picked up quarterfinal victories Saturday.

Levell Coppage ran for 213 yards for UW-Whitewater and Matt Blanchard threw for 134 and ran for 62 more as UW-Whitewater defeated Salisbury 34-14. The Warhawks, who won their 43rd consecutive game overall, held the Sea Gulls' option offense to 244 yards rushing and 293 yards overall.

St. Thomas defeated St. John Fisher 45-10 to advance to play UW-Whitewater, reaching the national semifinals for the first time. The Cardinals were held to just 82 yards of total offense after a 51-yard drive to open the game gave St. John Fisher a 3-0 lead. But the Tommies got two touchdown catches from Fritz Waldvogel and Colin Tobin ran for 159 yards.

The Tommies will travel to Whitewater on Saturay. It will be the first national semifinal game in UST history.

Jeremy Murray returned for Mount Union and carried 25 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns as the Purple Raiders defeated Wabash 20-8. Mount Union has been in the semifinals 17th consecutive years. Neal Seaman got back on the field at quarterback this week, completing six of 10 passes for 36 yards, while Matt Piloto was 6-for-8 for 40 yards and Kevin Burke was 2-for-4 for 24. Mount Union held Wabash to 31 yards rushing.

Wesley held off a second-half comeback to win 27-24 at Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Wolverines rolled out to a 21-3 halftime lead before the Cru came back. UMHB's final drive was stopped on an incomplete pass at the Wesley 41-yard line. Shane McSweeny completed 15 of 22 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 114 yards in the win.

Mount Union will host Wesley in the other Division III semifinal game.

The NCAA is expected announce gametimes on Sunday

Whitewater and Mount Union are seeking a seventh consecutive matcnup in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl

2011 Gagliardi Trophy ... Vote for Blanchard

Attention UW-Whitewater fans: Online fan voting is now underway for the 2011 Gagliardi Trophy.

Please take time to cast your vote for Matt Blanchard. The UW-Whitewater quarterback is one of 10 finalists for this year's award.

The Gagliardi Trophy is given annually to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III by Jostens and the J-Club of St. John's University of Minnesota.

The collective vote by fans casting a ballot on D3football.com will be added to the votes submitted by the 38-member Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee. One vote per computer. Voting deadline is noon on Monday, December 5.

To cast your vote CLICK HERE

Battle Cry for Warhawk fans this weekend: No excuses not to be at the Perk

(In the adjacent photo - inspired UW-Whitewater students braved the snow and cold to attend UW-Whitewater's 2005 national semifinal game vs. Wesley (Delaware). Could that inspiration and dedication return in time for a large crowd to show up at the Perk for Saturday's quarterfinal game vs. Salisbury (Maryland), a team that leads the nation averaging 47 points per game? - the photo is courtesy of Jeff Seisser, Daily Jefferson County Union)

The excuses for not attending Warhawk playoff
games at Perkins Stadium have diminished greatly this week. Thanksgiving has come and gone - Deer hunting season is over – and UW-Whitewater students, well you now have a THIRD location to pick up FREE – I repeat FREE tickets to Saturday’s playoff game vs. Salisbury (Mayland).

During the regular season the UW-Whitewater football team drew an average of 8,040 fans to its five games at Perkins Stadium. That was the highest per game average in the nation.

The Hawks playoff opener vs. Albion drew 1,211 to Perkins Stadium. Last Saturday – even less – as 1,083 spent part of their Thanksgiving weekend cheering on the Hawks at the Perk.

I’ve spoken to a number of players on the lack of fan interest for a team seeking a third consecutive national title. They are mystified on why fans flocked to the Perk during the regular season and have stayed away in droves the past couple of weeks.

Is it going to be cold on Saturday when the Hawks face an extremely dangerous team in Salisbury State (Maryland)? You bet!!

Maybe UW-Whitewater fans are bored with the playoff process having seen the Hawks make it all the way to Salem, Virginia for the past six Stagg Bowls.

When the “process” was still “new” back in 2005 – 5,480 showed up on a cold, snowy afternoon to watch the Hawks beat Wesley on an icy “track” in a Division III semifinal game at Perkins Stadium.

Hopefully some of that “fan energy” will return to the Perk on Saturday!

What area newspapers are saying

UW-Whitewater rolled to its 42nd consecutive victory by routing Franklin College 41-14 in 2nd Round NCAA Division III playoff action on Saturday at Perkins Stadium. The following will link you to area newspaper articles detailing the Warhawk win.


FROM THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL - You often hear about football teams making defensive adjustments at halftime, but rarely do they work to this extreme.
Holding Franklin's spread offense to a total of 2 yards in the second half, the UW-Whitewater machine rolled on Saturday, blanking the Grizzlies after intermission to take a 41-14 victory in the second round of the Division III playoffs at Perkins Stadium.

The unstoppable Levell Coppage ran for 221 yards and three touchdowns in less than three quarters of action, but it was a defense led by linebacker Greg Arnold's two interceptions and fumble recovery that paved the way for Whitewater's 42nd consecutive victory, including a 12-0 mark this season.

To read Tom Haudricourt’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Story CLICK HERE

FROM THE JANESVILLE GAZETTE - After dropping two painful losses to Whitewater in the last 52 weeks, Franklin (Ind.) College coach Mike Leonard showed the movies “Rocky” and “Miracle” to inspire his team in its third attempt to pull the Hollywood-style upset against Whitewater.

But once again, the two-time defending national champion Whitewater made sure there was an anticlimactic ending against the Grizzlies.

Levell Coppage rolled up three touchdown runs, while senior linebacker Greg Arnold added two interceptions and fumble recovery to help top-ranked Whitewater roll to a 41-14 victory over Franklin in an NCAA Division III second round playoff battle at Perkins Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Whitewater (12-0), which extended its NCAA all-division best winning streak to 42, hosts Salisbury (Md.) College here at noon next Saturday in an NCAA Division III third-round game.

To read Tim Wester’s Janesville Gazette Story CLICK HERE

FROM THE DAILY JEFFERSON COUNTY UNION - The old adage goes "Defense wins championships." If that's the case, things look good for the UW-Whitewater foot¬ball team.

The Warhawk defense continued its hot streak Saturday as linebacker Greg Arnold intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble. Those turnovers led to 17 of UW-Whitewater's points in a 41-14 NCAA Round 2 victory over visiting Franklin in front of an announced crowd of 1,083 at Perkins Stadium.

The No. 1 ranked Warhawks (13-0 overall) will host Salisbury University (Md.) this Saturday in an NCAA quarterfinal contest.

"It was nice being able to get those turnovers. Our offense was able to capitalize on those turnovers," said Arnold, who missed three and half games this season with a leg injury. "It's always nice to see those turnovers created into points."

To read Josh Smith’s Daily Jefferson County Union Story CLICK HERE