Kirkland Undrafted- Didn't see that coming

[Großer Kriegschwein]

Here is what some in the NFL have been thinking.

"Those issues with waist bending and head ducking are very hard to correct. You can try and work around one of them, but if a guy has both of them then it is a big concern." -- NFC offensive line coach

Seems to be what most teams are thinking.

[IronMountainHog]

Kid made a big mistake, but at least he is 70% of the way to a diploma.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

Hard to disagree. A year under Anderson might have helped him with at least one of his issues. I really hope he gets taken though.

DE Woodard drafted before Kirkland out of UCA

[razorbackfan4life]

It'll be a damn shame if he doesn't get drafted.  I feel really bad for the kid. 

[alohawg]

Chances are looking real slim. Should be a lesson, but it won't.

[rljjr]

Didn't he go early because he wanted to provide for his family?

[Razor1997]

When the Falcons just picked Devin Fuller, for a split second I thought I heard them say "Denver" and I got all excited 

[Pig in the Pokey]

Didn't he go early because he wanted to provide for his family?

by working at Sonic? He shoulda stayed, hell, he might have even gotten to play pro football. But , even if he couldn't develop enough for that, at least he would have got to play the game he loved for one more year. Damn shame. He may never even don the pads in a game again.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

I'm crossing my fingers for the Seahawk's next pick.

[Professor Psychosis]

He may never even don the pads in a game again.

He'll sign somewhere as undrafted free agent.  He'll play in the first couple of preseason games.  But he better show something because he'll get cut if he doesn't.

[Pig in the Pokey]

He'll sign somewhere as undrafted free agent.  He'll play in the first couple of preseason games.  But he better show something because he'll get cut if he doesn't.

true but to me preseason games aren't real and if he doesn't make the team than that's pretty much it.


I blame Pittman, anyway. Not only did he fail to clean up two huge negatives, he bailed on him in a way that probably help push Denver toward the draft. Bad decision that I bet he wouldn't have made if he had his position coach in his ear.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

Redskins haven't selected an OL today.

Vikings have only selected one OT.

[RazorPiggie]

Shoulda stayed.

[alohawg]

by working at Sonic? He shoulda stayed, hell, he might have even gotten to play pro football. But , even if he couldn't develop enough for that, at least he would have got to play the game he loved for one more year. Damn shame. He may never even don the pads in a game again.

He'll get a shot as a free agent at worst.

[Professor Psychosis]

I blame Pittman, anyway. Not only did he fail to clean up two huge negatives, he bailed on him in a way that probably help push Denver toward the draft. Bad decision that I bet he wouldn't have made if he had his position coach in his ear.

No doubt he should've stayed.  It would've been better for him and also for us.  Sad.

[alohawg]

Last seven picks....possibly Mr Irrelevant?

[Großer Kriegschwein]

I have no concept of that may be going through his mind right now.

[italian9005]

Man I just don't understand how we keep losing good underclassmen to the draft yet they get drafted super low. they need to learn to stay another year if not going to be high in the draft

[presidenthog]

Last seven picks....possibly Mr Irrelevant?

He isn't getting drafted. Kirkland is the new thurman. thought he was a hot commodity and tuned out he was not commodity.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

Here's how bad it is.

Jeff Driskel and his 12 knee surgeries, Scooby and Prince Charles have been drafted already.

[hawgmasta]

Definitely didn't see this coming; that's really a shame.

[razorbackfan4life]

Well it's a much harder hill to climb for DK now. 

[King Kong]

Definitely didn't see this coming; that's really a shame.

And During Bowl season Kiper had him as like the #1 guard. SMH

[Großer Kriegschwein]

Undrafted.

[ChitownHawg]

Definitely didn't see this coming; that's really a shame.

I feel for him. Now just get ticked and go prove everyone wrong. I would like to see the Bears pick him up as an undrafted player.

[Dropkick]

He will get a shot somewhere

[mhsbc59]

DK combine killed him i do think the 5 that where draft make at least the scout team and have atleast 2 years in the NFL. HH, AC, William will all be 5 + guy's

[lilRockNDubb]

Definitely didn't see this coming; that's really a shame.

Neither did he

[bphi11ips]

Home DK makes a team.  He'll get a shot.

I wonder how much recruiting hype sets expectations and influences athletes when they later decide to enter the draft early.

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

When I heard the "experts"talking about DK's measurables, I knew right then he'd be better off staying another year.
He was at risk to go so low as to be irrelevant or to go undrafted altogether.

It wouldn't surprise me if he goes undrafted.
When he hits a camp, he'll have to shine bright and fast.
DK could be out of football completely in as little as two years depending on where he's given a chance, how hard he works, and how well he's received by the coaches.

When you weigh that vs staying another year at school, being the leader of the OL, working hard to improve body and technique.......His decision (which he didn't let BB discuss with him despite the agreement) to leave could be a colossal letdown.

I posted this at 3:41 am this morning.
I saw this coming as a real possibility.
Scouts just weren't crazy about him.

His family would have been fine for another year.  (TBH, I see this as a want thing vs a need thing unless there are very unusual circumstances or the family is from a foreign, poor country.)

He should have kept his conference with BB.  He didn't because going pro was THE most important thing.  Now, his fate is a real crap shoot.

[ricepig]

https://twitter.com/FootballScoop/status/726542387120496640

[Pig In The City]

Hate it for the guy.

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

https://twitter.com/FootballScoop/status/726542387120496640

Wow!
That's almost a third.
Great post.

[Lake City Hog]

I would like to know how many of those early guys were drafted 5th round or later.

[PigTimePlayer]

hate it for him...can't help but think that if he would have had this next season to move inside and work with CKA for a year that he could have snuck into a late round in next year's draft. It's a roll of the dice. He will still have a shot, but he has to really get after it now.

[hoglady]

Most of these borderline guys leaving to help their family, really aren't helping their family at all.
Doing what is best for their long term career is what is best for their family, too.
It's a shame.

[Pig in the Pokey]

Peyton Barber and DeRunnya Wilson come to mind

[Pig in the Pokey]

hate it for him...can't help but think that if he would have had this next season to move inside and work with CKA for a year that he could have snuck into a late round in next year's draft. It's a roll of the dice. He will still have a shot, but he has to really get after it now.

except now he DOESN'T get that year with a great position coach. He's done, guys. Miss me with the whole "he'll get a try-out" bit. Yeah, AT HIS CURRENT DEVELOPMENT LEVEL- which isn't good enough.

[ricepig]

Most of these borderline guys leaving to help their family, really aren't helping their family at all.
Doing what is best for their long term career is what is best for their family, too.
It's a shame.

No doubt, but they never seem to realize that, until it's too late.

[ricepig]

https://twitter.com/CoachBreyCook/status/726547351926628353

[Großer Kriegschwein]

Well that was quick. Looks like they were staring at his name and waiting.

[Lake City Hog]

You would think that kids would finally learn that the guy that recruited them and coached them for 3 years has their best interest at heart way more than any agent!
BB wasn't even given the chance to tell Kirkland the flip side of his decision.
The plain truth is that AC might well have been better off sticking around another year.

[rzrbackramsfan]

https://twitter.com/CoachBreyCook/status/726547351926628353

Keep telling yourself that, dk.  I hope he makes a team though.

[Pig in the Pokey]

You would think that kids would finally learn that the guy that recruited them and coached them for 3 years has their best interest at heart way more than any agent!
BB wasn't even given the chance to tell Kirkland the flip side of his decision.
The plain truth is that AC might well have been better off sticking around another year.

both would have been.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Here is what some in the NFL have been thinking.

"Those issues with waist bending and head ducking are very hard to correct. You can try and work around one of them, but if a guy has both of them then it is a big concern." -- NFC offensive line coach

Seems to be what most teams are thinking.

Actually, I'm not surprised. He needed another year. I wish him the best without a doubt as I would any former Hog, but another year would have most likely helped him a great deal.

[pigskenG]

While I was watching the film of Denver yesterday give the tour of his home I was thinking I really hope he gets a chance. But I was one of those that thought he should have moved back to guard and stayed for his senior year. Nice young man, I am pulling for him to get his shot at his dream of playing in the NFL.  I think Collins did the right thing for himself ( not us, we would have loved for him to stay another year ) by moving on, especially after seeing what could happen by staying like Jonathan Williams did. Only to see JWill get hurt and miss his senior year. If you go to the Seattle Seahawks web site, their midlands scout answers questions about Alex. He just loves him, on and off the field. Kind of makes you proud.  Looking forward to seeing him play for Seattle.

[jjdlc]

Oakland has had a lot of O-line issues, he'll have as good a shot as any there to make the team.  Hate it for the kid, but this is one CBB can point to in the future when guys start thinking of jumping early.

Loewen to the Saints is a nice landing spot for him.  He really started to come on last season after finally moving to DL, I think he has a decent shot of at least making the practice squad, and working his way onto the team.

[Pig in the Pokey]

While I was watching the film of Denver yesterday give the tour of his home I was thinking I really hope he gets a chance. But I was one of those that thought he should have moved back to guard and stayed for his senior year. Nice young man, I am pulling for him to get his shot at his dream of playing in the NFL.  I think Collins did the right thing for himself ( not us, we would have loved for him to stay another year ) by moving on, especially after seeing what could happen by staying like Jonathan Williams did. Only to see JWill get hurt and miss his senior year. If you go to the Seattle Seahawks web site, their midlands scout answers questions about Alex. He just loves him, on and off the field. Kind of makes you proud.  Looking forward to seeing him play for Seattle.

But, didn't Jwill get drafted ahead of AC? How did it hurt JWill to return to school exactly? AAAhhhhhh, it DIDN'T. He may not have BEEN drafted last year, who knows. I'm sick of all the speculation presented as fact.

[trphog]

https://twitter.com/FootballScoop/status/726542387120496640

That's a borderline epidemic!

[jjdlc]

While I was watching the film of Denver yesterday give the tour of his home I was thinking I really hope he gets a chance. But I was one of those that thought he should have moved back to guard and stayed for his senior year. Nice young man, I am pulling for him to get his shot at his dream of playing in the NFL.  I think Collins did the right thing for himself ( not us, we would have loved for him to stay another year ) by moving on, especially after seeing what could happen by staying like Jonathan Williams did. Only to see JWill get hurt and miss his senior year. If you go to the Seattle Seahawks web site, their midlands scout answers questions about Alex. He just loves him, on and off the field. Kind of makes you proud.  Looking forward to seeing him play for Seattle.

I agree on AC, I don't think he could have helped his stock much, if this last season didn't do it.  I think this is a case where the scouts are focusing too much on the measurable a, and not enough on the total package.