Ric Serritella and the Street Free Agents at the Hub
https://open.substack.com/pub/allaccessfootball/p/the-2023-nfldb-pdf-powered-by-all?r=qwhaq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
One of the biggest benefits of the XFL holding steady and USFL getting set to kick off, is the opportunity for developmental quarterbacks to receive valuable in-game experience. These spring leagues have done a wonderful job showcasing quality prospects capable of competing at the NFL level. However, quarterback is one position difficult to groom without facing real, live bullets.
HUB Football has served as a springboard for a plethora of quarterbacks who have passed through ‘The CAMP’ in recent workouts. XFL signal-callers such as Cole McDonald (Roughnecks), Jalan McClendon (Vipers), Luis Perez (Renegades), Deondre Francois (Guardians), Quentin Dormandy (Guardians) and USFL gunslingers J’Mar Smith (Stars), Ryan Willis (Showboats), McCleod Bethel-Thompson (Breakers), Josh Love (Panthers) all participated in the HUB in an attempt to get on the radar.
Making his HUB Football debut will be former Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith. Selected by the New Orleans Breakers in the 2022 USFL Draft, which featured 85 HUB alumni, Smith would endure a shoulder injury during the season. Previously, he received a minicamp invite with the Buffalo Bills. Now, he is looking to prove that he is 100% healthy, able to compete and ready to contribute.
Coming out of Tulsa, Smith was well-accomplished. The one-time Baylor transfer racked up over 8,000 passing yards and 50-plus touchdowns during his collegiate career. Here is what NFL Draft Bible had to say about him in the 2021 publication:
“In 2020, Smith delivered Tulsa to the Top 25 polls amid a 6-3 [COVID-shortened] season. Smith has smooth mechanics and very sound footwork. Mechanically he looks well beyond his years. Smith has nice command of the pocket and moves efficiently, though not fast, behind the line of scrimmage. He possesses adequate size for the position and has worked in a pro-style offense.”
Be sure to follow @HUBFootball2020 for live updates throughout the weekend and log-in to www.si.com/nfl/draft for the latest news from the San Diego showcase, buckle up!
“Bringing you the names you need to know first, since 2002. It’s what we DO. Buckle up!“ - Draftnick Ric writing on Substack
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It's hard to believe that we are entering our third decade of providing prospect intelligence, scouting services, and agency management consulting. If you haven't been paying attention, I've been writing and broadcasting on Substack about my journey in the football scouting intelligence community.
To all the NFLDB subscribers, a special thank you for your loyal support through all the years! It’s hard to believe that we are entering our third decade of providing some of the earliest and most reliable NFL Draft intel on the planet.
The NFLDB, Powered By All Access Football continues to serve as the official NFL Draft content provider for Sports Illustrated, you can visit our homepage at: www.si.com/nfl/draft. In addition, NFL Draft Bible serves as a consultant to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, an annual all-star event for draft-eligible players, in addition to HUB Football, which helps street free agents get back into pro football. We look forward to growing these events!
We are very grateful to have an affiliate network with such prestigious organizations such as the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and National Football Foundation (NFF).
Celebrating 21 years of independent scouting and bringing you the names you need to know first, since 2002. It’s what we DO. Buckle up!
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-Ric Serritella
KEY – HOW TO READ THE BOOK
PLAYER RANKINGS KEY: Rank, Player, School, Year, Height, Weight, Forty, Hand, Arm, Wingspan, Bench Press, Vertical Jump, Broad Jump, Short Shuttle, Three-Cone Drill, All-Star Game, Combine Status, Projection
ABBREVIATIONS: SRB = Senior Bowl, EWS = East-West Shrine Bowl, NFLPA = NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, HULA = Hula Bowl, TROP = Tropical Bowl, CGS = College Gridiron Showcase, NIC = NFL Combine Invite, UDFA = Undrafted Free Agent, NIC (National Invitational Camp) = NFL Scouting Combine
LOCATING PLAYERS: All prospects in the book are listed in alphabetical order, regardless of position. There is also a player index on the final pages of the book for quick lookup.
