The Redskins Blog

Pro Bowl Proves Talent Outside Of FBS

What do Lane College, Furman University, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and John Carroll University all have in common?

Well for starters, chances are these aren’t the first schools that pop into your head when you think of college football. More importantly however, is the fact that each of these institutions have produced top-flight NFL talent, attending the 2013 Pro Bowl.

Big name Division-I FBS programs dominate the headlines and are the center of attention in college football. So much so that it is extremely easy for the proverbial “little guys” to get overlooked.

In the case of college football the “little guys” are programs in FCS (formerly Division I-AA), Division II, and Division III athletics.

Football players at these levels with hopes of playing in the NFL have a larger uphill battle than Division I athletes. Their national exposure isn’t nearly as great, so in order to be noticed they must shine when an opportunity presents itself.

When a player from a non-FBS program makes it to the NFL and gains staying power, it is a success for all athletes in similar situations.

Even more impressive is if one of those players is able to perform at a Pro Bowl-caliber.

Of the 116 players that have been chosen to represent their respective teams in the 2013 Pro Bowl, only nine attended non-FBS schools. They are as follows: Read more »

Fletcher-Jackson Connection Runs Deep

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One matchup to look for in this Sunday’s matchup, will be Redskins linebacker London Fletcher against Bills running back Fred Jackson.  Not only are they the key to their respective units’ success, but they’re also old friends and Division III college-mates.

Via Rodney McKissic of The Buffalo News, Fletcher took Jackson under his wing during their mutual time in Buffalo:

Fletcher was a mentor to Jackson when he was signed to the Bills’ practice squad in 2006.

“When I got my first start the first guy I played against was London Fletcher. I’ve always had a great amount of respect for him being he’s a Division III player as well. He was one of the guys I used to talk to a lot when I first got here.” Read more »