FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2007

Allen Barbre named top Division II prospect by D2football.com

By Josh Buchannan
D2football.com Pro Analyst

Kansas City, Mo.  -- Each year about five or so D2 NFL prospects are invited to Indianapolis for the National Invitational Camp or otherwise known as the NFL Scouting Combine, held by National Scouting Inc.

Most don't know the history of the NFL Combine or how it began so here is a brief rundown of its history.

It first began in 1982 in Tampa, Florida where only 163 players were invited. For the first three years two additional camps were held at different times to collect basically the same information that teams collect now.  In 1985, all 28 NFL teams decided to participate in future camps. After a short time in New Orleans and Arizona the camp moved to its current site, Indianapolis, Indiana.  The event used to be used mainly for medical evaluations, but players are also put through many psychological and physical tests, formal and informal interviews, and position drills for all of the top executives, scouts, and coaches from all 32 NFL teams.

This year, five D2 players will ascend on the NFL Combine with hopes of hearing their name called on draft day.  Central Missouri quarterback Toby Korrodi, Lane wide receiver Jacoby Jones, Missouri Southern offensive lineman Allen Barbre, Missouri Western H-back Gijon Robinson, and Western Oregon Kevin Boxx were all given invites to the most prestigious NFL Scouting event.

Toby Korrodi was the preseason number one player on my draft board; however, Allen Barbre has replaced him after a great season and postseason. Barbre competed in the Texas vs. the Nation game on February 2 and played for Texas - El Paso coach Mike Price's Texas squad. Price had nothing but praise for him.

"The Texas vs. the Nation game was great for players like Barbre," Price said. "He practiced and played very well and showed that he could play with anyone in the country."

Recently, I sat down with Barbre and talked to him about his career, future goals, what he plans to prove in Indy, as well as some of his favorite things...

How did you end up going to Missouri Southern?
Allen: I was a late qualifier and I just wanted to stay close to home.

What type of impact did your former coach, John Ware, who died of a heart attack, have on you and your game?
Allen: He had a great impact on me as an individual. It made me work harder because he always had high expectations for me. He gave me a second chance to play ball.

Where are you training?
Allen: In Houston for this week. I am getting speed training. Then, I am going back to Austin to train until the combine.

You have been one of the most talked about small school prospects this year. What have you thought about the NFL talk and did you expect this during this point last season?
Allen: I just wanted to work hard and hopefully get my opportunity to show I can play. Everything has been really great for me. The talk doesn't really many anything until it happens though.

You had a very good season last year but an even better one this year. What do you attribute the big improvement to?
Allen: I just tried to focus on stuff I needed to work on and I worked really hard. It helped my game a lot. I dedicated myself to the weight room and it all paid off.

At the beginning of the month you played in the inaugural Texas vs. Nation game. How did it go? What teams did you talk to? How was the overall experience?
Allen: I had a great time down there. It was a lot of fun you know. I met a lot of new people and had an overall great time. I talked to a lot of scouts. I talked to the Dolphins, Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers, Vikings, Jaguars, Packers, and I think that was about it.

It is widely known around scouting circles that you are an excellent athlete, what type of numbers should we expect from you at the combine?
Allen: I don't want to say something too much. I feel at least a 4.8 in the 40. I think I can get 225 about 30 times. I should get over 30 inches on the vertical jump and over 9 feet on the broad jump. On the pro shuttle I would say at least a 4.6.

Currently I have you projected as a 5th rounder. What round do you expect or hope to be drafted in?
Allen: I actually have no idea. I just want to go to the combine and do a really good job there. Hopefully I will go on the first day.

What do you plan on doing after you get back from the combine?
Allen: I am going back to my school and I think my agent is going to set up a pro day or something and keep training. That is the plan right now.

Now, I know everyone would like to get to know you on the personal level some.

What is your favorite sport besides football?
Allen: Basketball.

Who is your favorite professional athlete?
Allen: Growing up I would say Michael Jordan.

What is your favorite food?
Allen: I am going to go with mom's home cooking. I always like home cooking. You kind of take advantage of it until you get in college.

Who is your hero or person you look up to the most?
Allen: I don't know. I looked up to Coach Ware quite a bit. He was a great individual. I have a lot of respect for him.

Where will you be on draft day?
Allen: Probably back home somewhere chilling until I get a phone call.

Now that you have gotten to know the top player, here is the list of the players considered to be draftable at this point:

1. OT/OG Allen Barbre, Missouri Southern State, 6037, 302, 4.85/4.98 5th
Barbre earned 1st team All-American honors from anyone who actually saw him play. He is one of the most athletic linemen in this draft. He has solid technique and very good feet. He is also one of the best kids you will talk to. Barbre will also pave the way for my top prospect in the '08 draft by showing that athletic small school linemen can make it. By the way, if you like athletic linemen then you will love next year's draft class. The small college ranks have some of the best small school OL prospects to come out in years.

2. TE Kevin Boss, Western Oregon, 6065, 255, 4.76/4.82, 5th-6th
Boss is an outstanding person who will impress during interviews. He needs to get that 40 in the mid-low 4.7 range but he has the ideal size and has been productive over his career. Boss has had some injury concerns this season so he will need to prove those are past him. Expect him to still be a mid-late round selection.

3. WR/RS Jacoby Jones, Lane College, 6024, 200, 4.45/4.52 6th-7th
Some scouts feel Jones could be the next Marques Colston. He has the ideal size/speed combo and athletic ability to go with it. He can return kicks, something that adds to his value. Jones could sneak up into the 4th-5th round range but his up and down performance in the postseason prevents me from moving him in that range. He played very well in the Shrine Game but did not fair well at the Inta-Juice North-South game. He still has future standout written all over him with the right coaching.

4. QB Toby Korrodi, Central Missouri State, 6035, 233, 5.20/5.28 7th
Korrodi has the arm, accuracy, and smarts to make it at the next level. His skeptics say he lacks the mobility to make it. Some also question if he has pulled out of games due to being out of shape or if he has had an injury. He is actually married and has a family. He is a good kid who will impress you with his morals and maturity. Expect him to be a late round selection or very early pickup right after the draft.

5. RB Germaine Race, Pittsburg State, 5095, 218, 4.53/4.60 7th
Race has the production, decent size, and he is a great kid; so what is the problem? Scouts are questioning his side-to-side movement, straight line speed, and want to make sure his injuries from the '05 season are totally gone. I feel those injuries are past him and expect him to make an NFL roster.

6. TE Zac Herold, Nebraska-Omaha, 6046, 265, 4.85/4.95 7th-PFA
Herold is another player who will impress you during the interview process. He was productive over his career and has the size scouts like. His problem is 40 speed. He will need to run in the low 4.8 or high 4.7 range to move up boards. His 40 time might be why most have him as a priority free agent.

7. TE/H-Back Gijon Robinson, Missouri Western State, 6007, 258, 4.75/4.85 7th-PFA
Some had no clue who Robinson was until he was given a combine invite. Some still don't and wonder if he is a legit invite. Wonder no more. He is the new h-back teams are looking for. He can block, catch, and run. His blocking skills are among the best in this draft. He has also been productive catching the ball.

8. WR Eric Fowler, Grand Valley State, 6024, 215, 4.48/4.58 7th-PFA
Fowler had a great senior season but the lack of attention he had coming out of last spring and the fact that some are not sure if he can even make it at the NFL, for whatever reason, has him as a free agent by most. A team who is smart will take this kid in the late rounds and watch him bloom into a fine secondary receiver. You never know, people had no clue who Marques Colston was this time last year and now everyone in the nation is singing his praises. You can't ignore Fowler's production.