Holtzclaw Anticipating NFL Draft; Chiefs Should Pay Attention

by Joel Thorman on Apr 16, 2009 10:09 AM CDT in 2009 Draft Comment 26 comments

"I'm a gym rat, I love the game. I will give 110% every snap, every play. I'm a guy that is very coachable and can lead on and off the field. I refuse to be a bust because my work ethic is too good and I refuse to quit or settle for mediocrity." -Daniel Holtzclaw, LB, Eastern Michigan University

We caught up with Daniel Holtzclaw again and he was nice enough to take some time out to answer a few questions as the NFL Draft nears.

What are you hearing as the draft nears?

All the information I am getting is from my agent, strength coach, trainer. I'm pretty sure they all get the same calls just asking the basic information about me. Unfortunately, I haven't received a private workout or visit from any teams.

Not getting any private workouts isn't necessarily a bad thing. Daniel has a TON of tape at Eastern Michigan so the scouts know what they're getting in him. As a prospective ILB candidate in a 3-4 scheme, there aren't a lot of questions about what he can and can't do.

Big. Strong. Coachable.

Right now I'm focusing on being drafted. Yes, I have prepared for the worse of being undrafted and going as a free agent. If that is the case I'll choose a team that best fits me to make the 53 man roster.

If all 32 teams have a brain fart (which is unlikely) and pass on Holtzclaw, then the Chiefs are as good a team as any, if not better, for him to sign as an undrafted free agent. The Chiefs linebackers were awful last year and though they've improved this year, getting younger is still a necessity.

Where are you going to be on draft day?

Draft day I'll be at home in Oklahoma with the family.

If you end up as a Chief, you know Arrowhead Pride is buying you your first beer in Kansas City, right?

I'm not much of a drinker, but if I do get picked up by Chiefs I would love to have a drink with all the supporting fans.

Holtzclaw is 6'1/2" and 242 pounds. Zach Thomas is 5'11" and 242 pounds. Just sayin'...

His 33 reps at the EMU Pro Day are equal to Jason Smith and B.J. Raji. In fact, if Daniel were at the Combine he would have been the top performer in the bench press out of ALL the linebackers there. The next highest was 30.

He said he wasn't happy with his 40 yard dash time (4.82) but to put that into perspective, it's better than Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis. And he's stronger than both of them.

Here are a few places Daniel has been featured on Arrowhead Pride:

Direckshun questions Holtzclaw's ability at the next level.

Holtzclaw says there is nothing to question.

Inside the mind of a NFL draft prospect

Holtzclaw had a "terrific" pro day

Best of luck Daniel and we hope to hear from you and your new NFL team soon.

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Daniel, if you are reading this and you go undrafted for some crazy reason

PLEASE PLEASE choose Kansas City! We NEED you here! Plus you already have an Arrowhead Pride following. :)

by Vince D on Apr 16, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Chiefs want you.

And If they don’t, I’ll put in a good word with Pittsburg.

"...Said he couldn't go on the American way"

by Jux on Apr 16, 2009 10:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Man I love this kid

I sure hope we land him. I have no doubt that he will NOT bust out. He’s a machine.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!

by Buck'O on Apr 16, 2009 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Double negative!

Seriously though, this guy makes more sense now that we have Vrable and Thomas to take some pressure off him. If this guy can cover punts and kicks he should have a bright future ahead of him.

by HIV 2 Elway on Apr 16, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was my redneckdom talkin' thar! lol

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!

by Buck'O on Apr 16, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's definitely a small school stigma

In a league where so much emphasis is put on numbers, Daniel has them all. Why he wasn’t invited to the Combine is beyond me.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 16, 2009 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Didn't we find out about a guy from little Coastal Carolina?

and another a few years back from little Morgan State?

"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Apr 16, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

from what I have seen

he looks and acts like a pioli type of player, all about the team, and all about improving himself for the team. I like him!

by dr. kill 4 on Apr 16, 2009 10:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think this kid is another guy

like Mike Maslowski who could make the roster on guts and will alone. But I think Holtzclaw is a much more talented player than Maslowski was. If the Chiefs draft this kid they won’t go wrong.

by G.L. on Apr 16, 2009 10:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

He seems like he has the Maz demeanor with more talent. The NFL will not be to big for this guy because this is what he lives for.

I have to say thanks to Lanier for getting me on the bandwagon. I will be pulling for him no matter who drafts him.

AFC West Champs in 2009? Mayyybee.

by cmpotter on Apr 16, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pulling for him too

If it’s the Chiefs..great. But whatever team gets him will be lucky.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 16, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He will be an instant special teams standout

Seems to have good character aswell. He should be successfull if given a legit shot.

AFC West Champs in 2009? Mayyybee.

by cmpotter on Apr 16, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easy Sell

I don’t know if I am a easy sell or what but everything I have read on our site here makes me want this guy more and more. I would love for him to go undrafted or how about this, let’s make him our Mr. Irrelavant pick?!!!

by Mostate44 on Apr 16, 2009 11:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why would you want him to go undrafted?

That doesn’t make any sense, if you like his character and demeanor, how about wanting your team to take him rather than risk him going somewhere else?

Anyway, I like the guy a lot. Hard not to like a guy who says all the right things, AND backs it up with his work ethic and communication. The simple fact that he’s taking time out to build a reputation for himself through SBNation and Youtube says something about his drive to succeed. Yep, hard to not like a guy like that and pull for him.

He’s projected as a 6th rounder, and the Chiefs will have the 2nd pick in the 6th if I’m not mistaken. Meant to be? Wonder who the 18 teams represented at his pro-day were? Or, more importantly, were the Chiefs in attendance?

My crystal ball says that the Chiefs will not be drafting Aaron Curry. Their record at the end of 2009 will be 10-6.

by IISaiNtII on Apr 16, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wanting him to go undrafted

So he can choose which team he wants to go to and KC makes sense with the LB depth.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 16, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he'll go undrafted.

He’ll probably be a 4-6th round selection. Could be a first day selection. I understand wanting him to choose the Chiefs, but if I were in his shoes, I’d want the Chiefs to choose me.

My crystal ball says that the Chiefs will not be drafting Aaron Curry. Their record at the end of 2009 will be 10-6.

by IISaiNtII on Apr 16, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, Totally Agree

And he said he wasn’t sure if the Chiefs were at his Pro Day or not.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 16, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm..

You would hope they would have been as bad as we need some good LB’s

My crystal ball says that the Chiefs will not be drafting Aaron Curry. Their record at the end of 2009 will be 10-6.

by IISaiNtII on Apr 16, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Next James Harrison?

Too early to tell, but he shows all the same characteristics. Strength, good speed, intelligence, and most importantly: work ethic. I would like to see him in Red and Gold.

by mlschuma on Apr 16, 2009 11:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

Holtzclaw has gone from ranked #21 ILB to #7 ILB after putting on some weight and his pro-day… 3rd round material, if someone doesn’t take him in the 2nd (if there’s a run on ILB’s, it’s very possible).

My crystal ball says that the Chiefs will not be drafting Aaron Curry. Their record at the end of 2009 will be 10-6.

by IISaiNtII on Apr 16, 2009 11:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

really?

for what it’s worth….
CBS Sportsline says he’s #21 ILB, likely undrafted FA
Of course, the draft is a little unpredictable, teams often reach for a better fit, or a player they like better… but I really doubt Holtzclaw will go in the 2-3 range

here are the ILB rankings
20 1 Rey Maualuga ILB Southern California Rd 1
27 2 James Laurinaitis ILB Ohio State Rd 1-2
62 3 Darry Beckwith ILB LSU Rd 2-3
95 4 Jasper Brinkley ILB South Carolina Rd 3
109 5 Gerald McRath ILB Southern Mississippi Rd 3-4
121 6 Jason Phillips ILB TCU Rd 4
149 7 Dannell Ellerbe ILB Georgia Rd 4-5
160 8 Scott McKillop ILB Pittsburgh Rd 5
173 9 Frantz Joseph ILB Rd 5-6
199 10 Antonio Appleby ILB Virginia Rd 6
213 11 Nick Reed ILB Oregon Rd 6-7
262 12 Josh Mauga ILB Nevada Rd 7-FA
284 13 Worrell Williams ILB California 5 Rd 7-FA
285 14 Stanley Arnoux ILB Wake Forest Rd 7-FA
303 15 Spencer Adkins ILB Miami (Fla.) Rd 7-FA
338 16 Mortty Ivy ILB West Virginia FA
357 17 Dave Philistin ILB Maryland FA
362 18 Brit Miller ILB Illinois FA
402 19 Anthony Felder ILB California FA
431 20 Andrew Schantz ILB Portland State FA
456 21 Daniel Holtzclaw ILB Eastern Michigan FA
481 22 Michael Tauiliili ILB Duke FA
501 23 Brock Christopher ILB Missouri FA

by stagdsp on Apr 16, 2009 12:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

solid post, thanks for the list

looks like he’ll be perfect for the 5th/6th round for us.

Go Holtsclaw!!!

by Your_Moms_Boyfriend on Apr 16, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

with that in mind...

IF the Chiefs have identified Holtzclaw or Brinkley as 3rd round or later ILB picks…

I would think that would make Curry a LOT less likely with the 1st round pick, right?
with a variety of team needs, I can’t imagine drafting 2 ILB prospects this year.

Curry could play OLB, of course, but I think the Chiefs would want a pure pass rusher as a DE/OLB hybrid.

Maybe the Chiefs do go Monroe (OT)1, Kruger (OLB/DE) 3, Brinkley (ILB) 4, Shipley ©5
OR
Monroe (OT) 1,Mike Thomas (WR) 3,Shipley © 4,Potter (DE) 5,J Williams (RB) 6, Holtzclaw (ILB) 7

or something like that

by stagdsp on Apr 16, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs