Several JUCO players are tearing up the NFL’s preseason
Junior College Football players usually have to go through quite the process to get to the NFL. Their paths are usually harder than most division 1 players, because they had to constantly battle for a shot at success. Well, what we have learned so far in this preseason is JUCO players are once again trying to prove their worth, this time in the NFL.
We will start with Corey Washington, the former Newberry College standout wide receiver. In 2 seasons at Newberry, Washington caught 95 passes for 1,615 yards (17.0-yard avg.) and 22 touchdowns. Last year, he tied for the team lead with 44 catches for 839 yards and 13 touchdowns (11 more than anyone else on the team). Began his collegiate career at Georgia Military College, where he caught 51 passes for 781 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2 seasons. In two preseason games, Corey Washington has scored both game winning touchdowns. Washington is shining in New York, and his confidence is building. I would not be surprised to see the Charleston, South Carolina native make the 53 man roster.
Another player that really impressed last night was John Brown of the Arizona Cardinals. Last night, the former Pittsburg State alum reeled in 5 passes for 87 yards and drew several pass interference penalties. While Brown took a while to chase his dream of playing football, when he lost his brother #JWalk, he really turned up his skills. It was like his brother was watching over him. At Pittsburg State, Brown could not be stopped. The first time he touched the ball at Pitt State it was a punt return for a touchdown. In 2008, Brown enrolled at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina. Brown was named the SAC Freshman of the Year, after catching 27 passes for 619 yards and seven touchdowns while leading the team with 1,472 all-purpose yards. He sat out the 2009 season before transferring to Coffeyville Community College in 2010. He didn’t play as he was redshirted. He finished as Pitt State’s all-time leader in receptions (185), receiving yards (3,380) and receiving touchdowns (34). His 3,380 receiving yards ranks fifth in MIAA history. Between receiving, rushing and return yards, Brown finished his career with 7,716 all-purpose yards, 6,244 at Pitt State.
Lastly, Jeremy Butler of the Baltimore Ravens who has been drawing Anquan Boldin comparisons is another JUCO kid. This week Butler caught two receptions for 18 yards and a touchdowns against the 49ers. Butler recorded 141 receptions (third most in school history) for 1,953 yards (fifth most in school history) and 20 TDs (second most in school history) in two seasons for the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks. .In his first season at UT-Martin in 2012, Butler racked up 51 catches for 750 yards (14.7 yards) and 10 TDs. Prior to playing for the Skyhawks, he starred at the College of the Sequoias (Visalia, CA), where he appeared in 11 games, recording 48 receptions for 617 yards and 6 TDs in 2011. Played at Reedly (CA) Community College in 2009, when he recorded 20 catches for 204 yards and 1 TD in 10 games.
So as you can see kids, It doesn’t matter where you start, it matters how you finish.
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