James Cleveland - NFL

[BQuastU]

It is entirely possible that his decision to sell drugs (pretty heavy stuff, if I recall correctly) out of his UI dorm room ends up helping him get to the NFL.

His name keeps popping up in lists of top college receivers b/c of the year he had last year - his first at U Houston. He is either the beneficiary of a system that throws all the time or he is a legit top-flight receiver, or both. In any event, an argument can be made that if he does end up in the NFL, it is because of his play at UH and that he ended up at UH only b/c he had to leave Iowa after his pharmacy was shut down.

Of course (a) he may not play in the NFL and (b) we'll never know if he would have gone to the NFL from Iowa, had he stayed.

Cleveland could be a great kid who made a terrible mistake when he was 19, and I hope this is the case. This post isn't about what kind of person he is, just that a really bad decision could end up having a fortunate outcome.

 

[hawkeye2188]

It is entirely possible that his decision to sell drugs (pretty heavy stuff, if I recall correctly) out of his UI dorm room ends up helping him get to the NFL.

His name keeps popping up in lists of top college receivers b/c of the year he had last year - his first at U Houston. He is either the beneficiary of a system that throws all the time or he is a legit top-flight receiver, or both. In any event, an argument can be made that if he does end up in the NFL, it is because of his play at UH and that he ended up at UH only b/c he had to leave Iowa after his pharmacy was shut down.

Of course (a) he may not play in the NFL and (b) we'll never know if he would have gone to the NFL from Iowa, had he stayed.

Cleveland could be a great kid who made a terrible mistake when he was 19, and I hope this is the case. This post isn't about what kind of person he is, just that a really bad decision could end up having a fortunate outcome.

He wouldnt have gone to NFL if he stayed at Iowa, he is successful from a pass-happy offense.

 

[DuffMan]

He wouldnt have gone to NFL if he stayed at Iowa, he is successful from a pass-happy offense.

If you are saying he doesn't have NFL talent and the only reason he's getting NFL looks is because the offense he plays in i guess thats debatable. There is zero doubt Iowa's offense would have held him or any other receiver back. DJK is a top 5 NLF prospect out of college and Mcnutt will be talked about.

 

[hawkfarmer]

If you are saying he doesn't have NFL talent and the only reason he's getting NFL looks is because the offense he plays in i guess thats debatable. There is zero doubt Iowa's offense would have held him or any other receiver back. DJK is a top 5 NLF prospect out of college and Mcnutt will be talked about.

I don't understand. You say Iowa would have held him back, no doubt, but then say DJK is a top 5 NFL prospect. Would he have been much better at Houston? What about McNutt. Is Iowa's offense holding them back? I'm just curious what you think.

 

[hawkeye2188]

If you are saying he doesn't have NFL talent and the only reason he's getting NFL looks is because the offense he plays in i guess thats debatable. There is zero doubt Iowa's offense would have held him or any other receiver back. DJK is a top 5 NLF prospect out of college and Mcnutt will be talked about.

I believe McNutt will be higher sought after than DJK because McNutt has NFL size.

 

[DuffMan]

It should read Iowa wouldn't hold any receiver back.

DJK is plenty big to play in the NFL, Mcnutt will be intriguing no doubt. You are going to hear him compared to Michael Irvin, Keyshon Johnson, and James Hardy (i think that was the guy from Indiana a few years ago) some. You will also see him compared to Mike Williams from USC a few back.

He's got plus size, strenght, and hands.... and he's going to struggle to run a 4.60.

 

[BQuastU]

I agree that both DJK and McNutt will be in the NFL, but I also have a hard time not thinking like a complete Iowa homer.

If you do a google search for DJK and NFL draft, it might surprise you to find some 2011 draft lists on which he ranks pretty highly - it surprised me. See WalterFootball.com: 2011 NFL Draft: Wide Receiver Rankings

I also think McNutt has the best hands at Iowa/wr that I've seen. He also outran a bunch of dbacks last year and his near touchdown against Arizona was a big time catch and run.

 

[latrans]

I also think McNutt has the best hands at Iowa/wr that I've seen. He also outran a bunch of dbacks last year and his near touchdown against Arizona was a big time catch and run.

Ed Hinkel

 

[spudhawk]

Ed Hinkel would have stuck with the Colts. He chose not to pursue football. Cleveland was very highly regarded coming out of High School which only helps you with scouts. He wasn't forgotten about and he is still a very good athlete. It doesn't matter where you play, or what your character is if you possess talent you will be given a chance. See all West Virginia alum. Cleveland would have made the NFL if he had stayed at Iowa and he may make it at Houston.

 

[iowahawkeyes89]

I'm happy for Cleveland, learn from your mistakes, and take advantage of new opportunities.

Hope he has a good year.

 

[tm3308]

Ed Hinkel would have stuck with the Colts. He chose not to pursue football. Cleveland was very highly regarded coming out of High School which only helps you with scouts. He wasn't forgotten about and he is still a very good athlete. It doesn't matter where you play, or what your character is if you possess talent you will be given a chance. See all West Virginia alum. Cleveland would have made the NFL if he had stayed at Iowa and he may make it at Houston.

I agree with you that Hinkel would have stuck in Indy had he chose to (I sorely wish he had, as I really liked the Iowa connection that Indy has developed with Clark, Sanders, King on the roster).

Cleveland would have made the NFL even if he stayed here, but he has set himself up to make more money up front in Houston. Now he's one of the top wideouts in this year's class. He would not have gotten the same kind of attention playing in a run-first offense. He would have gotten a mid-late round selection and contract, then earned a much sweeter deal later. But now, he can be a first or second round pick, and make more money immediately. In his case, everything worked out for the best for everyone involved, and I wish him the best of luck this year.

 

[blackgold2core]

I think if your talent dictates that your an NFL player, you will get an oppurtunity. Character issues with players are becoming more of a focus for teams and that probably going to hurt him no matter how long ago it was. Good luck to him though, sure wish it could have worked out for him at Iowa.

 

[tiberius]

If you are saying he doesn't have NFL talent and the only reason he's getting NFL looks is because the offense he plays in i guess thats debatable. There is zero doubt Iowa's offense would have held him or any other receiver back. DJK is a top 5 NLF prospect out of college and Mcnutt will be talked about.

DJK is a top 5 NFL prospect?

 

[DuffMan]

A top 5 WR absolutle

 

[iowahawkeyes89]

I've seen one site that had him 9th, but obviously those are early rankings. And those are the only 2011 WR rankings I've found.

I think he's top 10 for sure, top 5 might be a stretch.

I think McNutt compares favorably to Mario Manningham.

 

[DuffMan]

There is a link to draft rating in this thread that has him top 5.

 

[thejumper5]

I've seen one site that had him 9th, but obviously those are early rankings. And those are the only 2011 WR rankings I've found.

I think he's top 10 for sure, top 5 might be a stretch.

I think McNutt compares favorably to Mario Manningham.

Did you mean DJK compares favorably to Manningham? The McNutt-Manningham comparison makes no sense to me, as they are totally different types of receivers. Manningham is a 5'11", 185 lb. speed receiver with pretty good, though not great hands. McNutt is a 6'4", 220 lb. muscle receiver with great hands.

 

[BQuastU]

Ed Hinkel would have stuck with the Colts. He chose not to pursue football. Cleveland was very highly regarded coming out of High School which only helps you with scouts. He wasn't forgotten about and he is still a very good athlete. It doesn't matter where you play, or what your character is if you possess talent you will be given a chance. See all West Virginia alum. Cleveland would have made the NFL if he had stayed at Iowa and he may make it at Houston.

I find it very hard to believe that Ed Hinkel was about to make the Colts roster, but voluntarily left the team/training camp because he was tired of playing football (or for any other non-health related issue). What is he doing now?

If somebody knows him personally or otherwise has first-hand knowledge of this, I wouldn't be able to argue with you, but this just doesn't seem right.

 

[tm3308]

I find it very hard to believe that Ed Hinkel was about to make the Colts roster, but voluntarily left the team/training camp because he was tired of playing football (or for any other non-health related issue). What is he doing now?

If somebody knows him personally or otherwise has first-hand knowledge of this, I wouldn't be able to argue with you, but this just doesn't seem right.

Right, because guys can't decide they want to do something other than pro football? Sure glad that Nile Kinnick guy ditched politics for pro football......oh wait, he didn't.

 

[spudhawk]

I find it very hard to believe that Ed Hinkel was about to make the Colts roster, but voluntarily left the team/training camp because he was tired of playing football (or for any other non-health related issue). What is he doing now?

If somebody knows him personally or otherwise has first-hand knowledge of this, I wouldn't be able to argue with you, but this just doesn't seem right.

I couldn't find the interview but I believe it was on the old scout site where Hinkel said he believed he would have made the Colts. He talked about how different Pro football was and how disappointed he was when his best friend on the team was cut and how it really affected him. Aaron Moorehead played a significant role on the Colts that season. I would tell you that Hinkel could have beaten him out for a roster spot. We can agree to disagree on his ability but I am sure he stopped pursuing pro opportunities.