The NFL Draft is coming up April 25-27. Does Illinois State have any draftable players. No. Cam Grandy is our best bet. I could see him getting a free agent contract. Grandy has a good frame and great hands. I'm not sure about his strength or speed but I wish the NFL would cool it on the measurables and just put people on the field and see how they play. Sometimes they can't see the forest through the trees.
I'd say we have two others that are in the conversation but that's about it. Zack Annexstad and Josh Dinga could get FA contracts, but I wouldn't count on it. I'm hoping Annexstad gets one. I'm still grateful for his decision to transfer here and get us back to a multi-dimensional offense. Annexstad is staying optimistic about his chances saying that he feels good about the things he was able to put on film here. I agree. Zack was an accurate passer and he also showed that he can escape the pocket and eat up some serious yardage if challenged to tuck and run.
I'm going to preempt fourthandshort on the next part. I predict that fs is reading this and getting ready to post that Zack doesn't have NFL arm strength. If so, I disagree. It's true that we didn't throw deep very much in '23. The team lacked a deep threat and the offense was trained to focus on avoiding turnovers. That part of the offense was a success, and it was underappreciated. The Redbirds (mostly Annexstad) threw the ball 390 times with just 6 INTs. Our opponents threw the ball 310 times with 11 INTs. But back to arm strength. Annexstad did throw some deep balls. When he missed he usually OVERTHREW those passes. The defender was typically a half step behind the receiver. By throwing the ball out in front, Zack was putting the ball where his guy would catch it or nobody would. An NFL team could do worse than have Zack Annexstad as a QB on their roster but it probably won't happen.
Thanks to Zack and Josh Dinga for some great memories.
Cam - surprise me like JRob. Make a team as a FA and wind up the starter.
Speaking of JRob and Zeke V. How healthy are they? Will they make a team this year? JRob has shown what he can do when healthy and even 85%. I'd like Zeke to get a chance to show what he can do.
I'd say we have two others that are in the conversation but that's about it. Zack Annexstad and Josh Dinga could get FA contracts, but I wouldn't count on it. I'm hoping Annexstad gets one. I'm still grateful for his decision to transfer here and get us back to a multi-dimensional offense. Annexstad is staying optimistic about his chances saying that he feels good about the things he was able to put on film here. I agree. Zack was an accurate passer and he also showed that he can escape the pocket and eat up some serious yardage if challenged to tuck and run.
I'm going to preempt fourthandshort on the next part. I predict that fs is reading this and getting ready to post that Zack doesn't have NFL arm strength. If so, I disagree. It's true that we didn't throw deep very much in '23. The team lacked a deep threat and the offense was trained to focus on avoiding turnovers. That part of the offense was a success, and it was underappreciated. The Redbirds (mostly Annexstad) threw the ball 390 times with just 6 INTs. Our opponents threw the ball 310 times with 11 INTs. But back to arm strength. Annexstad did throw some deep balls. When he missed he usually OVERTHREW those passes. The defender was typically a half step behind the receiver. By throwing the ball out in front, Zack was putting the ball where his guy would catch it or nobody would. An NFL team could do worse than have Zack Annexstad as a QB on their roster but it probably won't happen.
Thanks to Zack and Josh Dinga for some great memories.
Cam - surprise me like JRob. Make a team as a FA and wind up the starter.
Speaking of JRob and Zeke V. How healthy are they? Will they make a team this year? JRob has shown what he can do when healthy and even 85%. I'd like Zeke to get a chance to show what he can do.
