First off, I know I'm late to the party on this one, but I just wanted to do a quick blurb about this topic.
I turned on the TV this morning and saw a quarterback by the name of Brandon Weeden playing for Oklahoma State University. I wondered, "Is that the former baseball player? No, it couldn't be. He'd be in his late 20s by now."
I thought I had heard his name a week or two ago but thought it was just coincidence.
After searching Google, it is indeed the same Brandon Weeden.
You'll recall Weeden was one of the prospects the Dodgers acquired from the New York Yankees in the Kevin Brown-for-Jeff Weaver trade. He wasn't exactly an A+ prospect, but some had hopes for him.
Obviously, his baseball career did not go according to plan.
Weeden was drafted in the second round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the Yankees out of Edmon Santa Fe High School in Oklahoma. His first two seasons were successful, as he posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.24 WHIP as an 18- and 19-year-old in the low minors.
In his two-year Dodger career, he did not fare as well. He had a 5.52 ERA and 1.67 WHIP at Columbus of the South Atlantic League. He caught on with the Royals in 2006, posting a 6.03 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in High-A.
That was the end of his baseball career.
He enrolled at Oklahoma State and saw his first game action in 2008, completing one pass for eight yards. He got a little more action last year, going 15-for-24, 248 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
His junior year, 2010, has been different.
He is leading the nation in passing with more than 3,700 yards and has 30 touchdowns. His No. 10 Cowboys are 6-1 in conference, which leads the Big 12 South Division, and 10-1 overall.
From my short observation, he looks like he has all the tools. He obviously has the arm strength and has a big body -- 6-feet-4, 224 pounds. He has poise in the pocket and has made some really good throws in my short time watching him today.
It's nice to see a kid who didn't succeed at baseball go back to school and take up a completely different sport -- and do so well.
Weeden isn't going to be the first quarterback draft if he declares for the draft this year or next, but he could be a capable backup. He obviously draws comparisons to former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke, who was 29 years old in his rookie season. Weinke was a third-round pick, but he was also the 2000 Heisman Trophy winner.
So hope is not all lost for Weeden's NFL Draft potential. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
I hadn't heard that yet. Very intersting. I hope this kid makes it to the NFL.
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