April 26, 2008 01:11 pm
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By Terry Rodgers
Special to Allied News
Living the dream.
That is the best way to put it for Mike Butterworth, an offensive lineman at Slippery Rock University.
The dream of just about every college football player in the country is to hear their name called by the commissioner of the National Football League on draft weekend.
Butterworth, a Northern Cambria, Pa. native, could very well achieve that this weekend as the NFL draft takes place in New York City.
Butterworth said he has not been told any specifics but there is a good possibility he could be drafted in one of the later rounds.
The draft is a two-day event and the 32 teams have seven rounds to pick and choose college prospects.
“We have been talking to some teams and there is definitely some interest in getting me into camp (for 2008),” Butterworth said. “I have heard possible late second day to free agency.”
If Butterworth is not drafted there is no need to worry.
Being that the draft is not an exact science, teams scramble afterward to sign eligible undrafted players as free agents to fill out the rosters.
If Butterworth were drafted he would be the first Rock player taken in the NFL draft since the Atlanta Falcons selected running back Greg Patera in 1989.
“I still think being drafted is a possibility,” said Butterworth. “But if not, definitely free agency.”
This route can actually be more attractive for Butterworth because if a variety of teams call, he can pick the best fit for his situation.
Though as SRU head football coach George Mihalik has advised him, “Don’t get upset if a lot of teams do not have interest, because all you need is one to like you.”
That being said, lack of interest should not be a problem.
Over the course of the 2007 season almost every NFL team sent a representative to The Rock to review game film and talk to coaches about Butterworth.
Lately, the most interested parties seem to be the Falcons, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans.
“They all definitely want him in camp and will obviously all offer him a free agent (contract),” Mihalik said.
To ensure he was ready when the offer came, Butterworth spent most of the winter refining his skills at Velocity Sports Performance in Jackson, Miss.
Over the last four months scouts have had a few opportunities to further evaluate Butterworth.
In January he played in the Cactus Bowl, the Division II all-star game, and in March he took part in two pro days.
A scout from the Falcons attended one of the pro days at SRU, where Butterworth displayed his talents in a more intimate setting.
Though the Falcons scout would not comment and attempts to reach the team have not been returned, Mihalik said they have ‘serious interest in him.”
Butterworth began his ascent to NFL draft prospect last year around this time.
It was April 2007 when he started realizing pro scouts had taken notice of his skills.
“They (scouts) did their initial review,” Mihalik said, ‘then it went out to all teams saying “you better get to Slippery Rock to look at this guy.
“All the teams said they like his athleticism, for a big man. He is rarely off his feet.”
As the interest grew at the pro level Butterworth concentrated on the collegiate season ahead.
Before the 2007 campaign he was named to the D2Football.com preseason All-America team.
During The Rock season he anchored an offensive line that led the way for the top ranked rushing offense in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The Rock averaged over 262 yards rushing a game for Butterworth’s senior year and finished 9-2.
The accolades again started pouring in at the end of the season.
Butterworth was named honorable mention to three different Division II All-America teams.
He was also named to two first team all-region squads and a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year.
“My only regret at Slippery Rock is not winning a PSAC championship,” Butterworth said. “But beside that I could not ask for anything more.”
During his time at SRU, Butterworth not only dominated on the field but in the classroom as well, earning two-time academic All-America honors.
Mihalik believes the latter award proves Butterworth will have no problem adapting to a NFL offense.
“Mike’s a great young man,” Mihalik said. “He has (excelled) in the classroom. He will not have a challenge learning a system.”
The question facing Butterworth once he has found a team will be purely physical.
He will have to deal with the same issues facing all rookies, like going up against NFL veterans and becoming acclimated to the speed and strength associated with the professional game.
Mihalik feels Butterworth is a step ahead already.
“He is mature to the point to where he knows those challenges are there,” he said. “I think he’ll make the adjustment just fine.”
As for Butterworth, he feels the one intangible he has worked the hardest at is not becoming over-confident and just staying relaxed.
“I am real excited,” he said. “Hopefully something will work out and I will get a shot to prove myself.”
The odds are good Butterworth will get that chance to continue his playing career after this weekend
Sunday, as he is surrounded by friends and family at his home, he will await the call that makes it all reality.
“He is getting to live the dream that every guy has,” Mihalik said. “That dream to play in the NFL.”
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