The Rocket

Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Submitted Photo Mike Butterworth [Click to enlarge]

On April 26 and 27, SRU football standout Mike Butterworth, an offensive lineman from Northern Cambria, Pa., plans to spend the weekend at his home with family and some close friends.

This seems like a great way to relax, except for one thing-Butterworth will be dealing with the stress of waiting to hear his name called at the National Football League's 2008 draft.

The NFL draft is a seven-round event that allows every NFL team the opportunity to improve its needs by selecting the college players they feel are the right fit for the team.

In all, about 250 players will be chosen in the two-day, 32-team draft.

Very few college players ever get the chance to experience the excitement of hearing their name called on draft day.

There's a very real possibility that Butterworth could be one of those players who do.

"I've heard possible late second day to free agency, so it all depends on who is interested," Butterworth said.

Free agency is another route that could land Butterworth on an NFL roster.

At the end of the draft, the remaining players who were not selected can be invited to NFL camps as free agents.

Butterworth showcased his talents for the last time for NFL scouts on Tuesday inside SRU's Morrow Field House at what is known as a player pro day.

The player pro day was set up by Butterworth's agent and is designed to give scouts a chance to evaluate the athlete on a more intimate level.

"It went pretty good, (but) I can't really tell anything yet," Butterworth said. "It is just a waiting game now."

Only one NFL scout attended the pro day, a representative from the Atlanta Falcons, who declined comment for this story.

That turnout does not mean that other teams aren't interested, however.

"We knew it would be limited because at the Cactus Bowl, (every team) saw him there," Rock head football coach George Mihalik said.

Mihalik said Butterworth also participated in a pro day last week at Duquesne University, where roughly about 12 teams had scouts on hand.

"I know the Falcons have serious interest in him," Mihalik said. "The (Miami) Dolphins now have called for more film to reevaluate him after his pro day test results. They like some of the numbers they are seeing.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools