hagan714

The best prospect you've never heard of


Derrell Sapp's gaze was transfixed on the television screen as University of Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long bench-pressed 225 pounds 37 times at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, drawing endless praise from the NFL Network commentators.
When the Long Branch native eventually eased his massive frame under the bar on Tuesday at the J.M. Power Center, his arms raised and lowered the iron like a pair of pistons powering a high-performance engine, ripping off 42 reps in lightning-like fashion.

For the record, that's seven more than the University of Notre Dame's Trevor Laws, a projected second-round pick who topped all defensive tackles at the combine. Sapp's 28-inch vertical leap was just 2 1/2 inches short of Laws, who weighs 35 pounds less. His 5.19-second clocking in the 40-yard dash was faster than USC's Sedrick Ellis, a 305-pound defensive tackle projected as a first-rounder.

While Sapp, 6-foot-2, 330, was a three-time all-New Jersey Athletic Conference defensive tackle at Montclair State University, getting on the NFL radar screen from the Division III level is always somewhat problematic. You won't find his name on any pre-draft list, no matter how deep into the talent pool it delves.

At this rate, he could end up as the best physical specimen from the Class of '08 that no one will ever know about.

"What's changed are the bird dogs, the scouts that used to be so prevalent in baseball and found guys like him,'' said Monmouth Beach's Jim Garrett, who has spent more than 60 years in football as a player, coach and scout, much of it in the NFL. "They don't do it anymore. Anyone could go to a game and say 'Oh, that guy's good.' The Sapps of the world is how you earn your money.''

Garrett champions local underdogs and getting someone to at least take a peak at Sapp is one of his latest projects. Ironically, it was the late Sam Mills, another Long Branch/Montclair State product, who ranks as Garrett's greatest success story.

"I'm just looking for a chance to show somebody I can play,'' said Sapp, who graduates from Montclair in May and is substitute teaching at Long Branch Middle School.

I always think back to Middletown native Billy Devaney, the new executive vice president of player personnel for the St. Louis Rams, waxing about the day Junior Seau drove down from USC and worked out at the Chargers' training complex. It's still the standard by which he judges all workouts. Seeing Sapp in action might just be my new standard for big men.

But can he play football?

"We turned a corner with him when he was able to do what we worked on during the week on Saturdays,'' Montclair State head coach Rick Giancola said. "Early in his career, when game-time came he would do his own thing. Now he's able to carry over what he's taught.''

Sapp's highlight video features one dominating play after another, driving guards back into the ball carrier and making hits behind the line of scrimmage. But it's his technique that needs the most work in terms of landing in a training camp as a free agent.

"You need a certain sophistication of working mentally with the technique, and we're not quite there yet,'' Garrett said. "You have to have an individual grace so that if anybody looked at him they'd say, 'Hey, here's a guy we can develop into something.' ''

Sapp played for some very good Green Wave teams, was a captain in the North-South All Star game and an MVP in the All-Shore Classic. And while some Division I programs showed interest, Sapp ended up at Jersey City State, which dropped its football program after his first year.

As a senior for the Red Hawks, he finished with 41 tackles, including seven for losses, and 3.5 sacks.

"Is someone from a major college better than a kid who played at Montclair or Rowan?'' wondered Garrett. "Not necessarily. And those who make sure, those who investigate everyone, are the ones who win.''

Added Sapp: "A lot of guys I played against in high school got opportunities at that Division I level, and now I'm looking for my opportunity.''

Sapp's a diamond in the rough. A really big one. And here's to hoping someone realizes his potential in the coming months.



The best prospect you've never heard of | APP.com | Asbury Park Press

According to DRAFTDADDY.COM, Derrell Sapp could be true diamond in the rough in this years draft. Sapp is a powerhouse DT who measured 6'2" 330 pounds. He bench pressed 225 pounds 42 times and ran the 40 in 5.19 seconds. He may be overlooked by a lot of scouts because he played at Division 3 College Montclair State

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

ssmitty

ding, ding, ding...................
our kinda guy...........
small town school, unheard of, and a diamond in the rough.........
bring him in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
seriously, he does not sound bad, though.......
who was the last monster we brought in that did not last 15 minutes, what was his name hagan?
hope if we bring him in, he beats the record........

hagan714

LOL the hamburgalar I think was the last name we tag the kid from texas with.

ScottF

Funny- reading that article I was thinking the exact same thing. Wasn't the guy's name Thomas?