So the Cal Poly football team’s season is over. It still feels weird to say, doesn’t it?
One would think a handful of Mustangs will get to continue their careers in the pro ranks, though — certainly receiver Ramses Barden in the NFL and likely a handful of others in either the AFL or CFL.
One high-profile NFL Draft analyst, in particular, likes Barden’s chances.
In an e-mail sent Thursday to the Mustang Daily, ESPN NFL and college football analyst Todd McShay wrote the following:
I think he should come off the board around the 3rd/4th round range.
In my opinion he’s the best small-school WR prospect in the senior class.Big, physical receiver with good athleticism for his size (about 6-6, 230)
Needs to show the ability to separate from coverage during drills at an all-star game vs. better competition
3 most important areas for him at the combine: Running the 40 in the 4.5’s, running competitive times (for his size) in the shuttle and catching the ball crisply during the “gauntlet” drill… his hands are
only mediocre… let’s too many balls get into his pads
McShay, the director of college football analysis for Scouts Inc., has evaluated NFL Draft prospects since 1998.
According to ESPN, for whom McShay is now a College Football Insider, “numerous NFL teams have relied on his reports.”
Phone messages left Monday for Mel Kiper Jr. and Mike Mayock, two other well known draft analysts, were not returned as of Friday night.
For what it’s worth in the blogosphere and message-board world, Miami Dolphins fans seem to want him the most.
Here’s a video of Barden‘s 25-yard touchdown catch at Wisconsin on Nov. 22:
As for the guy throwing him the ball, Jonathan Dally, Mustangs head coach Rich Ellerson can’t be the only one to think he’d make a great pro quarterback, perhaps in the CFL. Opposing coaches throughout the year, even if behind-the-scenes or in quotes that didn’t make it into print, via teleconference calls or personal interviews, seemed to praise him as much as Barden, constantly heaping buzz-praises like “winner” upon him.
If Dally goes the CFL route, there may be an NFL-hopeful comparison for him that might not be too far off.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Dally got a shot at Cal Poly with his play at Allan Hancock College in his hometown of Santa Maria.
The 6-1, (generously listed) 205-pound Jeff Garcia got a shot at San Jose State with his play at Gavilan College in his hometown of Gilroy.
Undrafted in 1994, Garcia went on to star in the CFL before becoming a four-time Pro Bowler in the NFL when someone finally gave him a chance.
Both faced questions about their ability to stand in the pocket and rifle passes over the middle, beyond the heads of towering linemen, but somehow, each seems to always find a way to make things work with their mobility, resourcefulness and knowledge of the game.
And while Barden certainly improved in his own right, his numbers clearly went through the roof when Dally took over under center prior to his junior year.
In any event, stay on the lookout at this blog and in the Mustang Daily itself for more updates.
I’m afraid my year-long run as sports editor is up. Scott Silvey will be taking over, but I will continue to operate the blog.
Thanks for the support and readership!