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Cal Poly LB Shotwell, NDSU DT Frick On List of Division I-AA Players Worth the Price of a I-A Admission
July 7, 2006 Despite popular opinion, there is an entire galaxy of stars shining brightly outside the SEC. And outside the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac 10, too. In fact, on the outskirts of the familiar confines of Division I-A athletics, some really good football gets played every autumn in places like Itta Bena, West Long Branch and Thibodaux--towns that may be far from your consciousness, but not nearly as far from civilization as you might imagine. North Dakota State University defensive tackle Justin Frick was No. 25 and Cal Poly linebacker Kyle Shotwell was No. 21 on the College Football News.com list of Division I-AA Players Worth the Price of a I-A Admission (The D-IAA players who'd star at the big level). Richard Cirminiello, author of the list, wrote, "25. DT Justin Frick, North Dakota State - No. 82 in green and gold is why the frick NFL scouts will be trekking up to Fargo later this year. He doesn't possess lights out athletic ability, but he gives you exactly what you'd expect from a lineman that calls Yankton, S.D. home. He's big, nasty to deal with in the trenches and never about to quit on a play. If he can build on last year's breakout junior year, Frick will be the most heralded I-AA defensive tackle in 2006. Location: Fargo, N.D. (225 miles northwest of Minneapolis)." Regarding Shotwell, Cirminiello wrote, "21. LB Kyle Shotwell, Cal-Poly - The Mustangs have had defensive players drafted by the NFL each of the last two years. Shotwell is talented enough to make it three years in-a-row. In 2005, with defensive end Chris Gocong commanding offense's attention, Shotwell swooped in and bagged a school-record 158 tackles and a spot on the I-AA All-America second team. He's 6-1, 235 with great lateral quickness, and has a chance to become the third straight Mustang to win the Buck Buchanan Award given to I-AA's premier defensive player. Location: San Luis Obispo, CA (200 miles north of Los Angeles)." Most of this year's best small school players from I-AA, Division II, Division III or NAIA are actually within driving distance of a metropolitan area. Keep that in mind if your spectating slate is open one Saturday and you're jonesing for some quality play. Make that drive, and you might wind up being pleasantly surprised. There's a good chance you'll see a sensational individual effort and get an early peek at one of next year's surprise NFL draft choices. Here's the list: |
