It’s been reported elsewhere, and I’ll repeat it here - former University of Virginia defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald is transferring to Kansas State, according to his high school coach. I’ve yet to write it for the Eagle because I’ve yet to contact Fitzgerald. When it happens, expect a story.
Anyway, Fitzgerald is a 6-foot-3, 278-pound end who was highly productive in the ACC. If he is the same in the Big 12, he should have a future in the NFL, according to NFLDraftScout.com’s Rob Rang.
“He has the potential,” Rang said. “I just want to see him put it all together. Going from one high-level program to the next, to be able to have an impact in two conferences, that would be impressive.
“For the NFL, he’s one of the players who has showed enough that they’ll have to keep an eye on.”
It’s another coup for K-State coach Ron Prince, who is promoting his players like never before. At a recent Catbackers stop in Scott City, Prince told the supporters that the defense would be geared around Ian Campbell, using much of the same principles Virginia used this past season to free up All-American Chris Long.
Then he dropped a bombshell.
He said NFL scouts told him that quarterback Josh Freeman, entering his third season at K-State, was regarded as the top college prospect at his position.
I asked him to clarify afterwards, and he stood by his stance. He said the scouts that he’d talked to told Prince that Freeman was everything the NFL was looking for, and I couldn’t argue that point. His size and his arm are pro-quality.
Production, though, is another matter.
So I asked Rang, whose job, in large part, is made easier through consultation with numerous NFL types, mostly scouts.
“That’s a surprising comment,” Rang said. “I think he’s shown a lot, but I’m really high on Georgia’s Matt Stafford and Florida’s Tim Tebow, the Heisman Trophy winner. Now, he’s not perfect for the NFL game, but he’s got two more years. It’s surprising. (Freeman) has a lot of talent, but he also had an All-American wide receiver in Jordy Nelson last year, someone who ran such great routes. Let’s see how he does this year without him.
“If he can improve upon how he performed last year… I’d say that’s a little premature. From a purely NFL standpoint, Freeman has upside. But to classify him as the top quarterback prospect is premature.”
11 Comments
Love Josh Freeman. Great kid and could be a great quarterback.
Prince’s words were chosen poorly however. I have a friend that always says “When you say stupid sh!t you lose all credibility.” Ron… love you, love your show, but quit saying stupid sh!t.
What are you talking about? What did he say that was stupid? Did you even read what J-Mart posted? He said Prince was told by NFL scouts. Why would it be stupid to relay something that was told to him?
So a guy with a website didn’t agree with what was told to Ron, so what? If anyone thinks that Tim Tebow is going to get drafted before Josh Freeman, then they just aren’t paying attention. Josh’s int’s most likely won’t matter to NFL brass, Matt Ryan’s certainly didn’t.
It appears Ronald may be attaching himself to Freeman’s hip the way he has attached himself to previous NFL draftees.
It’s stupid because nfl scouts didn’t say that to Prince.
Wow you must be really plugged in to know what every NFL scout may have said or not said to Prince.
I don’t think there is much doubt that JF is at least a top 10 NFL QB prospect. So is it such a leap that at least two of the myriad of NFL scouts would take Freeman first?
I would love for someone to tell me how this is different than what Frank did and said about Bill. Many “experts” called bs when Frank said NBA people were telling him that Bill was a first rounder. Looks like he was right.
Some of you need to check your Prince hate when it comes to this story. There is no reason to call him a liar, when there is ZERO proof that he is doing so.
Liar.
nice work J-Mart!
Prince is doing a good job besides what all the negative fans think. Cats are going to light it up this season!
And Prince isn’t lying if he means the top prospect in the 2010 draft.
The part that upsets me the most is that Freeman and This Fitzgerald guy are going to ruin our program. Prince is supposed to be bold and daring. If Prince keeps putting these guys with all of our hobbled juco transfers how are we supposed to destroy a top ten team like Texas every year and then tank miserably?
doom,
that made no sense at all.
K-State fans, just shut up and watch your team win a bunch of games this season.
I happen to know an NFL scout. He’s the head college scout for an AFC West team and has been in the business for more years than I’ve been alive. He’s never even said Josh Freeman’s name to me. Prince pulled it out of his rear end.