By Dan Israeli
As eligible athletes await their fate, analysts are devising up-to-the minute mock drafts, projecting which players will go to which teams. The draft is a grueling seven round process, where 255 lucky collegians will get the chance of a lifetime to join an NFL squad.
So how important is draft position? If you asked Marques Colston, a two-year veteran of the New Orleans Saints, he'd probably answer very little. A Hofstra University graduate in 2006, Colston was taken by the Saints with the fourth-to-last pick of the entire draft. After two pro-years, he is easily regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the league, totaling 19 touchdowns, in comparison to the 14 of Reggie Bush, who the Saints took with the second overall pick of the 06' draft.
This weekend, Hofstra graduate Charles Sullivan, also a wide receiver, hopes to follow in Colston's footsteps. The Nanuet native has compiled an impressive career with the Pride, breaking Colston's school records in receptions and receiving yards.
"His career has been second to none," said Hofstra head coach Dave Cohen. "He's as competitive and as big a playmaker as anyone I have ever coached." The coach listed all of Sullivan's credentials, from his great hands to his ability to run solid routes to his overall competitiveness. One thing that would appear to hold Sullivan back is his speed, lackluster in comparison to some of the nation's higher ranked pass catchers. While Sullivan wasn't invited to this February's NFL Scouting Combine, he did clock an average time of 4.56 in the 40-yard dash at Hofstra. The sprint is widely considered the NFL's cutthroat determinator of speed capability. Sullivan's average time isn't blistering, but it's worth noting that not every top wide receiver aced the race. Jerry Rice, one of the game's all-time greats, was reported to run a 4.7 in the dash when he came to the league.
For Sullivan, draft preparation has included working out with Colston and fellow Hofstra '06 alum Devale Ellis, who went undrafted but now plays wide receiver for the Detroit Lions. "They tell me to keep working at it, and teach me certain ways the NFL game is played," Sullivan said. "They let me know that it's different at the next level."
If his name is not called this weekend, it may better suit Sullivan to join an NFL team this summer during training camp, that caters to his game.
In fact, when you look at Hofstra's list of NFL players, undrafted appears to be the way to go. Former New York Jet wide receiver Wayne Chrebet went undrafted in 1995, and later joined the team as a walk-on. In Colston's 06 year, two players, Ellis and current Dallas Cowboys defensive end Stephen Bowen ultimately joined their teams after going undrafted.
"It's tough to say what will happen this weekend," said Cohen about Sullivan's fate. "When it's all said and done, he'll be in the NFL."
