Draft Dodgers

Trevor Insley set NCAA records for receptions and reception yardage in a single season as well as career catches.

What more would he have to do to get drafted by an NFL team?

For Insley--and some other Orange County players--standout performances in college weren’t enough: They were passed over in last month’s NFL draft.

But, that might turn out to be a good thing.

“I think I probably was better off not being picked late in the sixth or seventh rounds,” Insley said. “I was happy to have the chance to choose where I went, rather than having to go somewhere that wasn’t as good a situation. All I’ve ever wanted is a shot.”

An early round draft pick may mean big money, but for college players such as Insley, free agency gives them a chance to prove they’re worthy of the NFL.

Insley, a former San Clemente High player who went on to Nevada, considered offers from Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Detroit before choosing the Colts, where he saw room on the roster and a chance to team up with quarterback Peyton Manning.

Former Los Alamitos High quarterback Kevin Feterik, who went on to play for Brigham Young, recently signed with Seattle--which didn’t draft a quarterback.

Feterik’s former teammate at Los Alamitos, wide receiver Tony Hartley, signed with Cincinnati after setting a career receiving record with 2,744 yards at Oregon.

Former Mater Dei standout Brad Williams, a three-year starter for Notre Dame at defensive tackle, signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears, and offensive lineman Troy Larkin, a four-year starter at UC Davis after playing at Los Alamitos, signed as a free agent with St. Louis.

The Rams’ D’Marco Farr and quarterback Kurt Warner are examples of players whose college careers failed to translate into draft picks.

Farr, a defensive lineman of the year at Washington, was a rookie free agent when he signed with the Rams in 1994, and went on to start 64 consecutive games. Warner, a former Iowa Barnstormer in the Arena Football League, signed out of Northern Iowa with Green Bay--and was cut--before eventually leading the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory.

For Insley, Feterik and other NFL hopefuls, free agency is a chance to follow in those footsteps.

The Colts already have an outstanding wide receiver in Marvin Harrison, the 16th pick in the 1996 draft who has 311 receptions in his first four years in the NFL. E.G. Green is the other starting wide receiver. But there appears to be room on the roster behind them.

“I think Insley has better than a 50-50 chance of making our club,” said Dom Anile, the Colts’ director of football operations. “He was my favorite in the East-West Game. I thought he looked better against the Cal cornerback [Deltha O’Neal] than anyone, and [O’Neal] was a first-round draft choice.”

Insley caught six passes for 66 yards and one touchdown in that all-star game. He also went head-to-head with another highly rated cornerback, Ahmed Plummer of Ohio State, and did well.

“After that, we did a lot of tape work on him, so we had him in our sights all the way,” Anile said. “But it wasn’t an offense draft for us, and we were surprised that he was still around after it was over.”

Insley was in Indianapolis this past weekend for a three-day mini-camp.

“I’ve been looking forward to getting started,” he said. “It’s just helmets and no pads in the mini-camp, but it’s exciting for me. I feel I have a chance to make the team, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I’ll hold on extra-point kicks, which I’ve done in the past, or run down the field on kicks if that’s what they want me to do. I have an open mind.”

Insley said he plans to return to Indianapolis May 16 for off-season workouts.

“They’re optional, but I want to be a part of it,” he said. “I think it will be really important for me to get the playbook down, so I’m totally ready when camp starts.”

Insley said he has been working out the past three months with his former high school coach, Saddleback College Coach Mark McElroy, and Henry Ellard, the former Ram wide receiver.

Insley, 6 feet and 185 pounds, said he also has been working on weight training.

“But I’m not so much concerned about size and strength,” Insley said. “The speed of the game at the pro level is the big difference, and I expect it will take some time for me to adjust to that.” Although Insley’s speed is not outstanding by NFL standards, Anile said the Colts are not concerned.

“He didn’t have a great time in the 40 at the combines, but he runs great routes, and when he’s anywhere close to the ball, he catches it,” Anile said.

Insley caught 134 passes for 2,006 yards last season, becoming the first college receiver to go over 2,000 yards.

Feterik, 5-11 and 205 pounds, had hoped to be drafted in the late rounds, but was pleased to get a chance with Seattle. He will join veteran quarterbacks Jon Kitna, Glenn Foley and Brock Huard on the Seahawk roster.

Feterik’s size hurt him in the draft, but Seattle quarterback coach Mike Sheppard said the Seahawks liked his 60.7% completion percentage at Brigham Young and his experience with the passing game.

Feterik completed 61.3% of his passes for 3,554 yards last season, and finished No. 5 on BYU’s career yardage list with 8,065.

Feterik said he thinks he’ll have a better idea of where he stands after the team’s mini-camp that began Friday.

“I know I’m going to be learning a lot,” he said.