So Much for Blue-Chip Recruits

The Super Bowl features a match-up between the University of Nevada at Reno and Delaware.  That's right, the 49ers' quarterback, Colin Kaepernick went to the former, while Ravens' QB Joe Flacco went to the latter (via Pittsburgh, from which he transferred).  All Elite 11 and non-Elite 11 QBs should take notice.  It's not necessarily where you start or who taps you early, but where you finish.  Which means that while the tendency is to go to the "best" school that recruits you, that is, the one with the biggest brand name, the tendency should be for you to go to the school that is the best for you. 

For example, Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly went to Miami (Fla.) before it became the U.  He wanted to go to Penn State, but Joe Paterno wanted him to play linebacker.  Ben Roethlisberger, a Miami (OH) alum, was recruited by Ohio State.  But the big QB thought they would have wanted him as a tight end.  Instead, he became a pretty "big time" QB. 

Truth be told, some schools have a great record developing collegiate QBs, such as Cal and USC (with their West Coast-based, if not "West Coast" offenses that throw the ball a lot).  Yet, while the latter has turned out Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Matt Cassel and Mark Sanchez, none has turned into a star.  The former has turned out many QBs, but only one -- Aaron Rodgers -- is a star (and a mega-one at that).  It would seem that no school can guarantee a player entry into, let alone success in, the NFL.  Which means, again, that players should focus on the best schools for them.

And if that isn't proof, look at all NFL rosters.  Many players hail from "big-name" football schools.  But many do not.  And that circles us back to the Super Bowl.

Delaware versus Nevada.

Gotta love it.