Sandwiched between two nostalgic fourth years writing their final sports columns this week, this comparatively baby-faced writer instead presents a hopeful look forward to the professional career of Matt Schaub. With the NFL draft looming this weekend, Schaub's stock has been on the rise, as most experts rate him as either the fourth or fifth best quarterback in this year's draft pool.
"It's always been a dream of mine," Schaub said of playing in the NFL. "But I don't really know if it's fair to say that it was a goal because I was so far from that."
In fact, before the 2002 season, it might have been a stretch to claim Schaub was one of the top four or five quarterbacks in the state of Virginia, much less the country. After redshirting his first year, he threw only eight passes as a freshman. He made his first career start in the first game of his sophomore season, but he completed only three of 10 passes for 24 yards and also threw two costly interceptions. Schaub would spend the rest of his sophomore campaign sharing time with the now-departed Bryson Spinner.
But Schaub's successful career and good draft prospects are a testament to his five years of hard work and dedication at Virginia. He broke onto the national radar screen as a junior, compiling a 28-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio and earning ACC Player of the Year honors. He entered his senior campaign as a Hesiman trophy candidate and, though his "Scheisman" hopes were derailed early last season due to an injured shoulder, Schaub proceeded to put together a season in which he completed 69.7 percent of his passes, threw for 18 touchdowns (compared with only 10 interceptions) and earned MVP honors in Tire Bowl II. Those numbers may not compare to his 2002 stats, but this past season did prove he was not a fluky one-year wonder.
Schaub was fighting for a job two years ago. Now, he likely will be selected in the draft's first three rounds Saturday.
"I hope to go on the first day," Schaub said. "That's where I hope to go, and that's what I've been told [to expect]."
The knocks on Schaub are limited mobility and the inability to throw the deep ball. The speed factor is a legitimate concern, as his 40 times have been in the 4.99 to 5.03 range. Schaub has managed to quiet some of the arm strength concerns during this pre-draft period. Known widely for his particular precision in throwing screen passes to running backs and short dump passes to Heath Miller, Schaub has worked hard on proving his range this offseason. But, when it comes down to it, his experience with and mastery of Virginia's pro-style offense will earn him significant credit with scouts.
"I think I'm very much prepared for an NFL system, and the offense we ran here was an NFL system that a lot of teams are running," Schaub said.
Since leading the Cavaliers to victory over Pittsburgh in December, Schaub has not stopped working toward his dream of playing in the NFL. He's been utilizing the same high degree of preparation for the draft as he did in preparing for each on-field opponent.
Since the Tire Bowl, he has competed in the Senior Bowl, participated in the NFL scouting combine, hired an agent, spent some time intensely training in California, held two private workouts (for the Browns and Patriots), held a pro day workout for approximately 20 more teams and has been in weekly contact with former Virginia and current Jaguars offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, under whose tutelage Schaub blossomed two years ago. Oh, and he's also been in touch with some other notable Virginia quarterbacks from days of yore, including Shawn Moore and especially Aaron Brooks.
Brooks is "a five-year veteran of the league and been through it all," Schaub said of the Saints' starter. "He really gave me some words of wisdom to live by."
Despite this hectic period of preparation, Schaub has remained aloof and remained his usual cool self.
"It's not really that stressful for me this offseason," he said. "I feel that I've done all that I can this offseason. It's out of my hands at this point."
Indeed, Schaub is sufficiently non-plussed by the nerves and rigors of his future career that he intends to spend the afternoon on the links.
"My whole family's coming down, and I decided that I'm not going to sit around and watch [the draft] -- that's the advice that I got," he said. "I'm hoping to get on the golf course and hit the ball around a little bit."
But that's not to say that he's not also eagerly awaiting word from his future employer.
"I'll have [my cell phone] fully charged with the ringer as loud as it can go," Schaub said. "I'll be that guy on the golf course when his phone goes off, and everyone's mid-swing."
After all, every time a phone rings, a quarterback gets his wings.
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