Could Lalich be the draft's biggest Darkhorse?

How many of you have heard of college [QB Peter Lalich]?  I thought so.  I hadn't heard much about him until recently but it's an interesting development for the draft since there is a dearth of good QBs in the 2013 draft talent pool.  He's one of those guys that th NCAA/big conference college programs make an example of while other college players have done far worse and still retain their elidgibility.  He wasn't even invited to the NFL Combine.

Lalich has all the physical and mental traits of the NFL greats and what scouts look salivate over: protypical size, arm-strength, accuracy, intimate understanding of X-O's, winning mentality, leadership the list goes on.  He was a highly recruited prospect out of high school, but he's had some off field trouble that had him booted from Virginia and Oregon State for under age drinking and a boating DUI despite proving he can compete at a high level in college.  Now tell what college student hasn't drank under age?  We;re not talking about PEDs or illegal drug...we're not even talking about Rx drug abuse.  And just like that, poof!, he's relegated to a Division II school, California University of Pennsylvania.  However, after two years there, he's kept his nose clean and lead the Vulcans to victory in the...ahem...Coal Bowl against IUP with some late game heroics.  Many snooty scouts, however, look down on prospects from D2 schools.  Hello?!  Flacco, anyone? 

There are plenty of knocks on the kid, but hardly out of the ordinary and certainly not the worst by NCAA and NFL standards.  Judging by his past he could end up like Ryan Leaf.  Given his recent hard work, success and maturity he could be the next Joe Flacco or Andrew Luck.  It would seem that he could be closer to the latter rather than the former, but as a darkhorse with the gifts and troubles akin to Terrelle Pryor he'll need one helluva Pro Day to show the scouts that he's worth a top pick let alone one.

In any case, I like what this kid brings to a QB talent-strapped draft class this year.  I love a success story where the hero is flawed and overcame past mistakes or transgression to regain lost respect.  Too many people today demand their stars and heroes be squeaky clean, but it really speaks more to someone's character when they overcome their troubles and grow from it.  

Anyone think he's worth the risk of a top draft pick?  Is he worth drafting at all?  If not, will he become an undrafted free-agent or not play for the NFL ever?


Read his story:
[http://www.thepostgame.com/features
/201303/reputation-rebuilt-former-p
rep-stars-uncommon-road-cusp-nfl]

BTW, CBS.  If you don't want us posting links from other sites, then just remove the damn function buttons already.  An $800M/yr turn-key industry and you can't solve, correct or reformat?  Just ruins the whole experience.

This school has put some quarterbacks into the NFL recently

Josh Portis was with Seattle for a year and an offseason

The Steelers had some guy from Cal in camp as their 4th/5th QB a couple of years ago

Cal U is known for accepting rejects.

Many snooty scouts, however, look down on prospects from D2 schools.  Hello?!  Flacco, anyone?

Joe Flacco's not from a D2 school.  Delaware is FCS, aka the old D1-AA.

Joe Flacco's not from a D2 school.  Delaware is FCS, aka the old D1-AA.

Eh...ya get the drift.

Seeing alot about Cal, but does anyone have an opinion on the player? 

Booted from two different colleges and you think teams want to waste a pick and money on him, he better be a real good talent..

6th round earliest is my guess.

Cal U takes a lot of kids from Aliquippa and Beaver Falls. They build good football teams. I thought maybe Paul Jones from Sto-Rox/Penn St would land there next but he chose Robert Morris. 

Booted from two different colleges and you think teams want to waste a pick and money on him, he better be a real good talent..



As a fan of the Jets, you are probably aware that they used a third round pick on a guy (Kenrick Ellis)  who had been kicked out of one school and was awaiting trial on a felony, with a possibly penalty being deportation

 
As long as the talent is there, someone will take a chance
 

As long as the talent is there, someone will take a chance 

That the key isn't it.  He'll get a chance to showcase that talent at the Baltimore Pro Day.  I'm just interested to see how fast he climbs the draft boards IF he shows exceptional talent. 

It would be sh1tty to not draft a talented player for drinking in college .  First the NFL takes away hitting defenseless WRs, then QBs, now could blackball drinkers of alcoholic beverages?  It's not football, its a prayer circle.

It sounds like the kid is getting his sh*eit together, which I applaud. Also sounds like he's at least worthy of a look-see.

Plenty of Division II players in the NFL, some VERY successful. Some VERY successful Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference players in the NFL, too -- Jahri Evans (from my alma mater Bloomsburg).

BUT...I'm wondering how many PSAC quarterbacks have successfully transitioned to the pros (and by that I mean were viable starters). Quite frankly, I don't think ANY have. Not that it can't happen...

The thing about the QB position in the NFL is that it is very shallow.  With the likes of Brady Quinn still drawing a contract, I don't see why a team wouldn't take a chance on this kid IF he has the skill set.  Mid to late round picks get cut all the time.

Booted from two different colleges and you think teams want to waste a pick and money on him, he better be a real good talent..

Sanchez was accused of "rape" went in the first round! Thats working well for the Jets!

Though your 6th round pick could be very true, since this league is very odd about the QB's....

Its to bad a DUI at OSU is considered to be checkered compared to a rape acusation at USC is a non issue...

I have never heard of Peter Lalich, and places like CUP don't come up on draft boards very often. But TFaulk just gave me something to look for on the undrafted signings list the day after the draft (assuming Lalich doesn't get drafted).

Did you say his schools team name is the Vulcans? Is there another team in their conference called the "Romulans"? Or the "Ewoks"? (I know ewoks is Star Wars and not Star Trek, but whatever.)

I wouldn't mind seeing the Seahawks pick him up to deveelope behind Wilson and Flynn if they keep Flynn.

Did you say his schools team name is the Vulcans? Is there another team in their conference called the "Romulans"? Or the "Ewoks"?

Maybe its the "Fighting Vulcans"?  I guess Schools at thet level are getting the dregs of mascots, but its still better than an Ewok.

(I know ewoks is Star Wars and not Star Trek, but whatever.)

Well with JJ Abraham slared to do the new Star Wars franchise under Disney and also doing the new Star Trek freanchise it's only a matter of time that Hoillywoods goes the route of Aliens vs. Predators with it and you won't have to worry about mixing the two any longer.
 
Its to bad a DUI at OSU is considered to be checkered compared to a rape acusation at USC is a non issue...
 

Its to bad a DUI at OSU is considered to be checkered compared to a rape acusation at USC is a non issue...

I guess that will teach top, future college prospects to select their college depending on its leniency toward its football stars.  Could be a way for less dividison to attract top highschool players away from the SEC.  

"Come to CUP where our athletic discipline pploicy is as laughable as our schools initials!"