From a 'giraffe' to a Saints' draftee, Adam Trautman's position switch gave Dayton a generational gem

SmashMouth · 05-12-2020, 06:53 AM

Rick Chamberlin had almost seen it all in his 45 years at Dayton.

One of his Flyers teammates got drafted in the 11th round of the NFL draft in 1977. Two Division III titles in 1980 and 1989. 11 conference championships since the Flyers bumped up to Division I FCS, earning one bid into the FCS playoffs back in 2015.

But then came Adam Trautman.

Most football players who end up at schools like Dayton — one of the nine non-scholarship schools that comprise the Pioneer Football League — are usually a shade too short, too light, too slow.

But not Trautman.

After wrapping up his final high school season in Elk Rapids, Michigan, Trautman walked onto Dayton's campus as a 6-foot-5, 215-pound quarterback. By the time his eligibility had lapsed, Trautman was a 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end.

"Adam had all that you would be looking for in an NFL player: the size, the athleticism, the football skills," Chamberlin said. "That's why he's the one who's gotten drafted."

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05-12-2020, 06:53 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,479 Blog Entries: 29	From a 'giraffe' to a Saints' draftee, Adam Trautman's position switch gave Dayton a generational gem Rick Chamberlin had almost seen it all in his 45 years at Dayton. One of his Flyers teammates got drafted in the 11th round of the NFL draft in 1977. Two Division III titles in 1980 and 1989. 11 conference championships since the Flyers bumped up to Division I FCS, earning one bid into the FCS playoffs back in 2015. But then came Adam Trautman. Most football players who end up at schools like Dayton — one of the nine non-scholarship schools that comprise the Pioneer Football League — are usually a shade too short, too light, too slow. But not Trautman. After wrapping up his final high school season in Elk Rapids, Michigan, Trautman walked onto Dayton's campus as a 6-foot-5, 215-pound quarterback. By the time his eligibility had lapsed, Trautman was a 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end. "Adam had all that you would be looking for in an NFL player: the size, the athleticism, the football skills," Chamberlin said. "That's why he's the one who's gotten drafted." more on NOLA Attached Thumbnails jeanpierre and K Major like this.

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