Many believe that NFL general managers earn their paychecks based on their level of success in the later rounds of the draft by uncovering those hidden gems that can push a team over the top. With the NFL’s scouting process now winding down, many names are being brought to the forefront that weren’t exactly on the tip of anyone’s tongues when the collegiate season started. This segment called Under the Radar will continue to explore just what scouts find attractive about certain prospects that may be available beyond the glamour rounds of the draft and why you’re team may be interested in landing one of these sleepers.

Late round gems at the quarterback position are a rare commodity especially when they hail from a Division III school. The perennial powerhouse Mount Union has produced a signal caller with the coveted attributes that make scouts drool in their lanky leader Kurt Rocco. At 6’5” 215lbs. Rocco has the sought after intangibles that the NFL brass looks for with a decent amount of pocket awareness and shiftiness for a big man as well as a prototypical delivery of the football. His 70 percent completion percentage during his collegiate career is an eye opening stat at any level of competition with nearly 4,000 yards and a 42 to 8 touchdown to interception ratio. There is definitely some upside to any quarterback with that size and the production that he has produced during his time at Mount Union.

One thing that is weighing on Rocco’s potential is his lack of bulk with a rather gaunt build carrying just 215 pounds at 6’5” he looks awfully skinny. Scouts wonder whether he could survive physically with the rigors of NFL football and if he can generate enough downfield velocity to complete deep throws at the next level. It’s highly likely that most teams would prefer to see at least 10 more pounds added to his frame in order to show that he has the body of a potential NFL player. His numbers in college were quite good, but most of those statistics were accumulated in yards after the catch by his receivers with a number of short routes in the playbook at Mount Union. There may be a cannon hidden somewhere in Rocco’s right shoulder, but it has yet to be seen by scouts. Getting drafted might be a bit of a longshot for this young man, but he will definitely be considered by a number of teams as both the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints have already had him in for a workout. Don’t be surprised if he is a late round choice based on the potential to develop into something special at the next level.

A number of names will be called during April’s NFL Draft that seem to be from out of left field, but don’t let Kurt Rocco’s be one of them. Keep looking out for more Under the Radar players shooting up draft boards or quietly lurking in this abnormally deep 2010 class that could make a huge impact over the coming years on Sundays.

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