College Football Draft Will Be Stronger, Says Patriot Director of Player Development

Dick Steinberg, director of player development for the New England Patriots, believes this year’s National Football League draft of college players will be stronger overall than those of the past two years.

“It’s particularly strong in running backs and offensive linemen,” said Steinberg, who has joined other pro scouts in Honolulu to check out some of the nation’s top prospects in the 40th Hula Bowl.

He pointed to West running backs Anthony Toney of Texas A&M;, Dalton Hilliard of Louisiana State and Reggie Dupard of SMU, along with the East’s Napoleon McCallum of Navy for special attention.

“Those are four of the top backs in a good crop this season,” he said.

On quarterbacks, Steinberg said the East’s Jim Everett of Purdue and the West’s Mike Norseth of Kansas have what the pros need.

“They’re strong and well-trained,” he said. “Everett can really move around.”

Steinberg also praised three of the East’s offensive linemen. Any pro team, he said, would welcome Brian Jozwiak, West Virginia, 6-6, 290 pounds; Jim Dombrowski, Virginia, 6-5, 290, and Joe Milinichik, North Carolina State, 6-5, 300.

“These days, you get offensive linemen who weigh 290 or 300 pounds, and they’re not fat,” Steinberg said, while also praising defensive linemen Tony Casillas of Oklahoma, Leslie O’Neal of Oklahoma State and Tim Green of Syracuse.