Brooks: Well-Rested McKnight Just Wants A Chance

(First Of Four Stories On The Buffs And The 2011 NFL Draft)

BOULDER - Last week found Scotty McKnight lounging in Hawaii, soaking up the island sun, swimming, getting scuba certified, lounging some more . . . you get the idea.

After a previous four months of perhaps his most intense training ever and closely monitoring his diet, McKnight figured some down-time was in order. He's not counting on having much of that after this week's NFL Draft.

Your question right about now is this: Does Scotty McKnight consider himself draft-worthy?

Allow him to answer: "The way I look at it, I don't have to get drafted; I just want a shot. This whole thing is crazy. Some guys know they're going to be drafted, others don't - and nobody can ever be sure where they're going to get drafted or by what team.

"I don't get caught up in the ego side of it, what round I might go in, who might take me . . . I just want to play; I don't care where you put me. If there was a (NFL) team in Antarctica, hey, that's fine with me. It would be a dream come true."

Dreams of playing in that destination might lean toward the extreme, but then again, never doubt McKnight, his work ethic or his passion to play - anywhere.

Since CU's 2010 season ended, McKnight hasn't spent much time on the couch. He returned to California and took up a training regimen he says has him in the best shape of his life. Among the aspiring NFL players he worked with through Velocity Sports Performance were quarterback Jake Locker (Washington), receivers Austin Pettis (Boise State) and Shane Vereen (California), and former Colorado teammate Nate Solder, whose considerable skills at left tackle are expected to make him a first-round selection on Thursday.

NFL teams can (and will) go bigger and faster in their early pursuit of pass catchers, but McKnight presents intriguing possibilities as a Wes Welker-type slot receiver. His college numbers tell a tale of durability and dedication. Over a four-year career at CU that began with him walking on, McKnight caught at least one pass in every game (49), setting a CU record and the NCAA-active record at his career's conclusion. He finished as the school's all-time leader in receptions (215) and receiving touchdowns (22).

McKnight's specialties were running the right routes the right way and catching whatever came his way. He didn't routinely blister many Big 12 cornerbacks, but then he always believed his "top-end speed" was understated and that he was swift enough to make plays.

"There have always been questions about my speed," he said, and to be truthful, the queries about his size (5-foot-11, 185) usually weren't far behind. But McKnight argues that his four-year productivity at CU and close looks at his game tapes by NFL coaches and scouts have put some of those questions to rest.

"I think all my film showed that I was quick off the ball," he said. "I know people have questioned my top-end speed, but when I showed I had it (in various individual workouts), that eliminated some of the doubt."

Since Pro Timing Day at CU on March 9, McKnight has interviewed with and auditioned for a number of NFL teams and gotten "lots of good feedback, really better than I expected . . . it's been awesome," he said. The organization of his dreams might be San Diego (that's not exactly Antarctica), simply because he's from southern California (Coto de Caza) and the Chargers have shown what might be more than a passing/receiving interest.

"I watched my tape with Coach (Charlie) Joiner (Chargers receivers coach) and he broke it all down for me and critiqued me," McKnight said. "Then I met with Coach (Norv) Turner (head coach) and we talked about me as a player; I think he wanted to get a feel for me as a person. I met their general manager, front office people . . . it was all just a great experience."

Still, McKnight is savvy enough not to get too infatuated with San Diego or any of the other teams that have made preliminary contact with him or his representatives (AthletesFirst). Friends in high NFL places - Jets quarterback Marc Sanchez, Titans receiver Damian Williams to name two former USC buds - have prompted him on the uncertainty of it all. In fact, McKnight was at Williams' home in Springdale, Ark., for the 2010 NFL Draft and watched Williams, who had been in most frequent contact with Carolina, get selected by - surprise - Tennessee.

Because of his close friendship with Sanchez - they've recently been sharing a beach house at Dana Point, Calif. - McKnight frequently has been asked whether his best bud could have a positive influence on McKnight possibly getting a look with the Jets.

"That scenario is awesome, but I don't know if he has that kind of influence," McKnight said with a laugh. "I've met all (the Jets' front-office types) and they're all great and have been really good to Marc . . . yeah, it would be cool but nobody knows what's going to happen during the draft."

McKnight knows he might get a call after the three-day draft (Round 1 is Thursday, Rounds 2-3 on Friday, Rounds 4-7 on Saturday) regarding free agency. Nonetheless, he said he will "watch the whole thing and pay particular attention to Saturday.

"Here's the one thing I know I can control: whatever happens, I can be in shape when the time comes. I've never really gotten settled and stopped working. I'm not used to things being given to me; I'm used to competing."

If free agency offers McKnight his path to the next level, so be it. Several of his former teammates also are hopeful that avenue opens. Those ex-CU players who have hired agents include placekicker Aric Goodman, defensive end Marquez Herrod and tight end Luke Walters. Those without agents who are hoping for at least a look include linebacker B.J. Beatty and snapper Joe Silipo.

Three of their former teammates - cornerbacks Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith, along with Solder - expect to be drafted.

(Tuesday: Jalil Brown Hoping To Be Second- Or Third-Round Pick)

Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU