Draft Finally Has Stability at Stanford

Finally, Chris Draft can relax. He can concentrate on what he’s doing, rather than where he might be next week. Or the week after.

The Stanford sophomore linebacker is home now. Draft will be in the middle of the Cardinal defense as long as he remains in Palo Alto, something he recently didn’t believe possible.

But, as the former two-sport standout at Valencia High can attest, a lot can change quickly.

“It’s been a big lift,” said Draft, 19. “It’s a lot easier going out week to week not worrying about what position you’re going to play.”

Draft wanted to stay put as a freshman, but he didn’t have a choice. The Cardinal coaching staff, then commanded by the venerable Bill Walsh, had many holes to fill and Draft turned into a universal peg.

He was seemingly everywhere doing everything for the Cardinal defense, at times lining up at inside linebacker, outside linebacker and strong safety. Not to be lazy, Draft occasionally pitched in on special teams too. This after being recruited as a running back.

That he rarely felt settled isn’t shocking. That he handled it all so well and excelled probably surprised the guys wearing headsets, Draft believes.

“I proved I just wanted to help the team win, and I think [the coaches] were impressed,” Draft said. “I’ll play different positions as long as the coaches give me the tools needed to play to the best of my ability.”

And then Walsh left, resigning after the season. Enter Coach Tyrone Willingham, and more uncertainty for Draft.

“They definitely have different styles,” Draft said. “Coach Willingham talks more to the players and asks more of them.

“Coach Walsh didn’t say as much in terms of motivational talks. Coming from more of a professional [football] background, I think Coach Walsh felt that you’re supposed to know what to do.”

It took Draft longer than most Stanford players to learn about the contrasting styles.

He missed most of spring practice while playing for the Cardinal baseball team. Draft realized he was forgoing valuable time to work with the new football staff, but he was committed to baseball.

“Actually, I was pretty worried about it,” Draft said. “I was at some of spring ball, but I didn’t get to spend the amount of time I wanted to with the coaches.

“They didn’t know who I was or what I could do. Really, they were just figuring out who I was at the beginning of the fall. But I decided that if I just went back home over the summer, got in shape and came back ready to play football, the time I missed wouldn’t matter.”

Correct. Draft’s summer workout regimen helped make him a little faster and stronger, although he was pretty impressive before the break.

Willingham’s coaches immediately liked what they saw. Draft (6 feet 1, 220 pounds) started the season-opener at outside linebacker and moved inside for the second game--and hasn’t moved since.

Even if Draft wanted a change, his position coach won’t allow it. And his colleagues better not try.

“No, he’s not going anywhere,” said Kent Baer, Stanford’s linebackers coach. “We put him at outside for the first game because that’s where he wanted to play. We switched him for the second game because we needed him there and he’s doing great.”

Draft leads the Pacific 10 Conference in tackles, averaging 11.3 per game. He has four tackles for losses and one blocked punt.

“Even though he hasn’t played a lot of inside linebacker, he’s very instinctive and very smart,” Baer said. “Probably the best thing he does is fight off blockers.

“He’s a heck of a player outside too, but he’s away from half of the action there. This way, he’s making plays all the time.”

So, Draft is content. Still, though, he’s willing to do whatever is asked of him. Even if he’s asked to make a change.

“Yeah I would,” Draft said, “but I’d really rather not.”