Friday's Morning Briefing: Small ready to be a pro
By Chuck King
We’ve all heard the stories of college football players waiting anxiously by the phone on draft day waiting to learn their future.
Former FAU defensive back Corey Small took a different approach when the United Football League held its draft on June 2.
He pretty much ignored it.
Small was cooking for his family when the phone rang.
“That night one of my friends called me and said congratulations,” Small said. “I said, I appreciate it, but what are you talking about? He’s said, ‘You got drafted.’ I was like, wow, really?”
The Florida Tuskers selected Small in the ninth round, ending a year-long search for a professional football contract. Small was somewhat nonplussed by the draft news because he was already pretty sure he was heading to Orlando. He said club officials had already sent him a contract and told him he’d either be selected or signed as a free agent.
“I would have pretty much played anywhere, but I didn’t want to play Arena,” said Small, who will play for head coach Jay Gruden. “I’m really happy that I went the UFL rout.”
Small was in Boca this week to help coach at the FINESSE youth football camp held on FAU’s campus. Another camp coach, former Owl offensive lineman Lavoris Williams, is also looking to hook on with the UFL.
Along with Small, Williams’ former line mate Carl Spitale was also taken by the Sacramento Mountain Lions in the UFL draft.
Williams would like to follow Spitale and Small to the UFL and says Small’s story in particular gives him hope.
“Corey, he graduated last year and didn’t go anywhere, now he’s ended up going somewhere,” Williams said. “I think I have a pretty good chance at a few different leagues. Whatever league comes along first, that’s where I’ll go.”
Williams worked out for the Tuskers with Small during a couple of pre-draft camps. Florida is holding another tryout this weekend in Atlanta. Williams said Orlando officials told him the club will be signing more players following that camp and that he is still under consideration for a free agent spot.
Small said he plans to work a couple more youth camps on the west coast of Florida in the coming weeks before heading to Orlando for preseason camp. The UFL regular season begins in September. Congrats to Corey for sticking with it. We’ll keep you posted on the progress of both Small and Williams.
Owl Links: - You daily guide to what is being written about FAU
Brian Rowitz returned to FAUOwlAccess.com with this week’s edition of Owl Talk. He talked with Brett Vito, the North Texas beat writer for the Denton Record-Chronicle, about what to expect from the Mean Green football team in 2010. He also talked with FAU offensive line coach Dale Williams about how the recent high school camps can help with recruiting.
We also continued our look at the Top 10 stories of the past season with No. 9 on our list. What did we choose? Take a look.
Today we’re going to take a break from our countdown of the top stories to bring you Former Owl Friday.
Other links:
The fooitball news wasn't as good for Small's former temmate Frantz Joseph, who was released by the CFL's Edmonton Eskimoes on Thursday.
Adam Robinson of the Brewton Standards asks whether it's time for Troy to leave the Sun Belt.
The Ocala Star-Banner looks at former FAU basketball player Brittany Bowes' transition from being a world-class in-line skater to speed skating on ice.