D3football.com All-American tight end Michael Allan broke Division III’s draft drought in April when he was selected in the seventh round by the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s apparently enjoying his time in the Chiefs camp so far, which is miles away from the Division III experience.
At the D-3 level we never expected to receive such treatment and while the NFL is a completely different level, I saw no surprise in the faces of those who came from division 1 schools. Chartered flights, full meals, free gear and top-notch facilities was just something that they always had. It’s a change; a change I am excited to make and I cannot thank fans like you enough for making all of this possible.
Allan writes more in his blog on the Kansas City Chiefs Web site.
What a great idea and great blog. Those of us who have always had aspirations of what it might be like to be an NFL football player will find Michael’s blog interesting. I was smiling as I read it, envisioning these lavish ammentities, and wondering what they feels like! Congrats Michael, and keep em coming!
Right…great blog…..I hope Michael can take us all the way thru the start of the Regular Season…I attempted to write him a note via the KC site….to no avail…..I am wondering if his team mates are condescending in any way being that he came from Divlll….Go Michael..hope u make the team…..Chiefs are my fav team BTW..
You know, i tried to ask him a question via the chiefs website, and it also was to no avail….Buckeye4u, I am disappointed as an Ohioan myself, which Im assuming you are, that you are a KC fan and not a Brownies or Bengals fan!!! I dont even live in Ohio anymore, but Ill never stop loving the Brownies!!! Nonetheless, I hope Michael makes the roster too! We could use a D3 face of the league!
What a great blog from the chiefs! Michael I wish you luck on making the team! This would be great for DIII and even better for Michael! Question: Does anyone see more DIII players in the future having opportunities to play at the professional level? Or will it always be one great player here and there?
Would hope that all of D3 would be routing for Michael and GOOD LUCK TO HIM. It legitimizes all of DIII when one can take the next step.
I don’t think there will ever be more then one or two to make it to the pro’s. First they would have to missed by the DI guys, second – they are always looked down at since their stats are DIII and finally the whole mindset of DIII includes a life as a student which is not conducive to being the very best athlete you can be.
sjfcfootball- Your looking at the idea of coaches seeing d3 athletes as not being conducive to athletics all wrong. Obviously, if a pro coach is taking the time to look at or evaluate a d3 prospect, then they know they’re athletes and they can play the game. On the flip side, it speaks volumes of their character, work ethic, and passion for the sport if they were able to play 4 years of college football in an academic first environment with no scholarship simply because they love the game. With the game focusing so much attention on the Bellichik style football, with high character and versatile athletes, I think the future for d3 football players making their way into the pro ranks has never been better. Not to mention the popularity and quality of football that people are starting to recognize at the d3 level. The press, internet, and media coverage at the d3 level are growing by leaps and bounds, and this influence will only help d3 athletes like Michael Allen get noticed, and hopefully get the same opportunity that he has!
RaiderATO. let me clarify a little…perhaps this will explain my stance re: Chiefs…..I graduated Alliance HI with Len Dawson….always followed his career and became a fan of the KC franchise. That does not take away from the fact that I will always root for the Browns…another aside…I graduated Mt class of ’57…..win maybe 2 games a year if lucky…..I can not begin to say how proud I am of Mt. Union and all the other great DIVlll schools. GO! Michael…we all are rooting you on…
For those who have HBO…
The network will air the series Hard Knocks again this year. The team they profile for this training camp?
The Kansas City Chiefs
Episode 1 airs August 8th at 10pm ET/PT.
Here is a link with more info: http://www.hbo.com/hardknocks/
RaiderATO- Been wrong before but I think you misunderstood my statement -“the whole mindset of DIII includes a life as a student which is not conducive to being the very best athlete you can be”. My intent was to say DIII athletes (for the most part) are there to get an education and although they may hope for a NFL career most are realistic about their chances and have a carreer outside playing in the NFL in mind. DI feel their changes are realistic, have the best of training facilities and are pretty much dedicated year round to training to a full -time training regiment(at least the ones looking to move to the NFL). Not many DIII can commit to that type of schedule. I hear Fortune is pretty much on that type of training schedule should be interesting to see the results.
The comment about d3 players in the nfl. I think there are still a few other players on teams right now from this year such as Derrek stanly and Pete Shmitt from whitewater and the guy Trusnick from ohio northern..I feel next year Pierre Garcon will be the first mount player to get drafted probably in the 7th round but none the less drafted. Theres also a good reciever down at Capital Derrek Alexander who I think may have a shot on special teams in the nfl possibly a wide out..But I think more and more players from d3 will get chances cause the calliber of football in d3 is riseing.,,…..Also If these guys have sucsess at the nfl level it may help open doors for other d3 players…
I agree purplephyco, I belive Garcon is a wonderful reciever, and this season will be a huge one for him. If he can continue to produce big numbers and be a game changer a possible selection in the draft will not be out of the question.
Garcon is a great receiver, don’t get me worng, and I love Mount Union, being a former player, but……..receivers like him come a dime a dozen at the D-1 level…..Not to say that he has no shot of being draft or playing at the next level, but he’s looking to crack one of the toughest positions, from a pure athletic stand point, to play in the league. Like I said, Many D-1 schools have a receiver or two of his calber on every team.
Well the reason I said that about Garcon was I was going off the fact that Derek Stanley from Whitewater was drafted. I feel Garcon is a alot better receiver than he was and is…Thats all.
That’s the same reason I think Garcon could be the first MUC player ever drafted. He out played Stanley twice, and Stanley was drafted. Plus Garcon is taller, bigger and every bit as fast.
A few quick thoughts on this matter…
Other than the ones discussed here, there are a few other Division III players participating in NFL training camps for the first time – Jason Trusnik (ONU-Jets), Byron Westbrook (Salisbury-Redskins), Chris Jackson (Milsaps-Saints) and George Ohnesorge (Occidental-Giants). There are also two Division III basketball players, Todd Lowber (Ramapo-Vikings) and Joe Werner (UW-La Crosse-Packers) who are trying to make the jump. Several others were invited to rookie mini-camps right after the draft but don’t appear to have caught on.
In evaluating Garcon’s chances at making the NFL, keep in mind that part of Stanley’s appeal is his ability to play special teams. He may have as good — or better — of a chance of making the Rams in that capacity as he does as a WR.
While the caliber of Division III play may be improving, I’m not sure that translates to more NFL players. The caliber of play at the other levels may also be on the rise. And the number of Division III draftees (see below) or unsigned free agents who make NFL rosters is too sparse to recognize a trend.
2006 Michael Allan, Whitworth Chiefs 7th round – 231 pick
2006 Derek Stanley, UW-Whitewater Rams 7-249
2003 Ryan Hoag, Gustavus Adolphus Raiders 7-262
2002 Tony Beckham, UW-Stout Titans 4-115
2002 Michael Coleman, Widener Falcons 7-217
2000 Tim Watson, Rowan Seahawks 6-185
1999 Clint Kriewaldt, UW-Stevens Point Lions 6-177
1996 Ethan Brooks, Williams Falcons 7-229
Buckeye4U…..could you e-mail me at: mainjack@comcast.net. I have a question for you about your time at AHS. Thanks.
It also has a lot to do with the depth at the receiver position come draft time…Stanley was fortuante that there wasnt a lot of depth at receiver last year…There were some great receivers in last years draft, but after the top notch WRs, they fell off drastically…..Again, I hope he does become the first raider taken, Im just saying…
Lets not forget Chris Warren out of Ferrum! The combination of size,speed and strength is what differentiates D3 from D1. I would argue many D3 players have either the speed, strength or size but not the combination of all three. This is not a knock to Allan, but he probably did not develop the speed until mid-way through his college career and probably still has to get stronger. I believe in a few years he will have the combination to be a solid TE for the chiefs, learning from Tony Gonzalez will also make a huge impact. Unfortunately with the way scouting is today less and less potential NFL caliber players will end up in D3 ball.
Linfield’s Brett Elliott is still in camp with San Diego