Raw Talent ... the next big thing?

I wrote earlier about UConn basketball player Ed Nelson and his interest in becoming an NFL Tight End. He had no college football experience and he was grabbed as a Free Agent by the St. Louis Rams. This seems to be the trend this season. Teams are looking at those raw, in-experienced but immensely talented athletes. Other than Nelson, there has been two other basketball players picked up so far this off-season. Everyone seems to be looking for that diamond in the ruff...also known as Antonio Gates. Gates never played football at Kent State, just basketball, he was also never drafted. Signed as a Free Agent and inexperienced, Gates showed that he had the athleticism to become one of the best TE's today. But, Gates had the one key thing that made his success possible ... the ability and discipline to learn. That is what these guys need in order to be successful in the NFL. The ability and discipline to learn a new sport at a professional level.

One of these athletes is George Mason basketball star Jai Lewis. At 6'5" 290 Lewis is projected as an OL but he is skilled enough to play TE. He is quick, big and very mobile. He impressed at his work-outs and was picked up by the NY Giants.

Onye Ibekwe of Long Beach State is another basketball guy. He is very gifted and at 6'5" 260 he reportedly ran a 4.7/40 and had a 36" VJ at a work-out. No doubt about his athletic ability. The SF 49ers have recently signed him.

The New York Jets have gone in a different direction by signing Rutgers track All American Sam Segond. This guy is a freak, at 6'3" 295 he runs a 4.7/40 and is as strong as an ox. He hasn't played football since High School. He is projected at OL or DL, but could also be used at TE.