By Jonah Bronstein
After he got over the initial disappointment of not being selected during last weekend’s NFL Draft, Drew Willy concluded he may have been lucky.
Within hours of the draft’s conclusion, Willy, the most prolific passer in University at Buffalo history, had heard from more than a half dozen teams, and was able to weigh his options for pursuing his professional ambitions.
Ultimately, Willy chose to sign with the Baltimore Ravens.
“I really took it as a blessing,” Willy said Tuesday during a conference call with local reporters. “I’m very excited. I spoke with their coaching staff all through the whole process, and they told me they probably weren’t going to draft a quarterback but to keep them in mind if I didn’t get drafted.
“I like their coaching staff and what they bring to the table. It’s a class organization.”
Willy did acknowledge that he will come into the NFL with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after being passed over in the draft. Ten quarterbacks were picked, including two from Mid-American Conference schools — Ball State’s Nate Davis (San Francisco) and Kent State’s Julian Edelman (New England). Edelman was announced as a wide receiver when the Patriots drafted him.
“I don’t know why (Willy) lasted until the end of the draft and went undrafted,” ESPN analyst Mel Kiper said during a Monday conference call.
“He’s got a good enough arm and he’s got escapability. He ran a 4.9 (40-yard dash). Tom Brady ran a 5.22. It’s how you maneuver in the pocket, and he does that very effectively. He’s got more game experience than any quarterback in this draft. ... He could be a nice asset to the team that brings him into the fold.”
Willy will likely compete with 36-year-old Todd Bouman to be the Raven’s third quarterback, behind starter Joe Flacco and backup Troy Smith, the former Heisman Trophy winner. Willy’s practice squad eligibility might give him an edge, allowing the Ravens to carry just two quarterbacks on the active roster.
“I like the situation. I can go in and compete,” Willy said. “I feel real comfortable with the quarterbacks coach, Hue Jackson. And (offensive coordinator) Cam Cameron, they throw a lot of the routes I like to throw.”
UB coach Turner Gill said earlier in the spring that Willy will be a dependable NFL player.
“He makes all the throws they want him to make,” Gill said. “He’s a guy who can raise the level of play of all those around him, a guy who has great leadership skills, a guy who plays through pain.”
Willy was a four-year starter for the Bulls, and capped his career by leading the program to its first winning season (8-6) as a Division I member. He set single-season records with 3,304 yards passing and 25 touchdowns, and completed 63 percent of his passes with only six interceptions as UB won the MAC championship and was invited to play in the International Bowl.
Since Willy was able to earn his degree at UB a semester early, he has spent the spring working out at the Parisi Speed School in New Jersey, and refined his passing skills with 1964 Heisman Trophy runner-up Jerry Rhome in Atlanta.
Later this week, he’ll report to Baltimore for his first mini-camp.
“I care about football too much not to give it my all,” Willy said.
