Weisman, Hawkeyes hope for NFL draft status

CHICAGO - Mark Weisman is like any other long shot this weekend, whether it's horse racing or the NFL.

Weisman isn't a perfect specimen and has some flaws that will keep some people from betting on him. But he has a chance to play pro football, which is what all long shots desire.

'Whether I get drafted or whether it's a free agent or whatnot, I just want an opportunity to compete,” Weisman said,

At Iowa, Weisman converted from fullback to a workhorse running back out of necessity his sophomore year. He became a physical, trustworthy ball carrier and earned 44 starts. Weisman's 2,602 yards ranks sixth in school history and his 32 rushing touchdowns are third.

But the three-time academic all-Big Ten competitor doesn't fit the mold of an NFL running back. There are quickness and burst issues that prevented him from wider acclaim at Iowa. But he's a self-aware player and knows fullback is his best route to the NFL. He's bulked back up from his Iowa weight of around 235 pounds to more than 240. The two-year team captain's work ethic is beyond reproach, and he will do whatever it takes to help a squad succeed.

'You've got to work your way to the front,” Weisman said. 'It's going to be a tough battle, but it's an opportunity. You've got to show everything. You've got to play special teams and that's how you make a team, playing special teams. You meet that coach the first day.”

Weisman, who did not attend the NFL Scouting Combine, is unlikely to get selected because fullbacks are devalued in the NFL. Few teams keep them on the roster and they rarely are any selected before the fifth round.

'Wherever he goes, he's going to be a West Coast-type fullback,” said Dan Shonka, general manager and national scout for Ourlads Scouting Services. 'His No. 1 job is going to be knocking somebody and blocking them and hooking the ends and what have you and occasionally carry the ball once or twice a year and throw the ball to him in the flat. He'd be a long shot to probably get drafted. But he'll get a call after the draft.”

The Packer Report compared Weisman's workout numbers to other players following his strong pro day in March. According to the website, Weisman's 40-yard dash time of 4.61 seconds was faster than all but 12 running backs at the combine. Only four runners had a better time in the three-cone drill and the broad jump.

'I don't know how much I was on anyone's radar (before the pro day),” Weisman said. 'I know a lot more teams have talked to me since then.”

Weisman is among several former Iowa players with a chance getting drafted on Saturday. Defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat (6-1, 290) and tackle Andrew Donnal (6-6, 305) - both of whom attended the combine - are projected to go anywhere from the fifth to the seventh rounds. Tight end Ray Hamilton (6-5, 252), linebacker Quinton Alston (6-1, 232), safety John Lowdermilk (6-2, 210) and wide receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley (6-0, 205) are likely free-agent signees.

Trinca-Pasat won over Shonka with his toughness and tenacity last year. Trinca-Pasat had 6.5 sacks and started his final 38 games last year. Like Weisman, he was a three-time academic all-Big Ten performer.

'With the way teams rotate all of those defenders, he's a perfect under-tackle,” Shonka said. 'He'll be best in a four-man front because he doesn't have a position in a three-man front. He doesn't have that length that you'd like to have at end in a 3-4, and he's not really heavy enough to play nose tackle. What he could possibly do in a 3-4 is if a team used him on passing downs, put him at nose tackle and try to let him pressure the passer. He might be able to do that.”

Donnal started every game at right tackle for Iowa this year. He started three games at guard as a sophomore but suffered a torn ACL. That ended his season and kept him from performing at a high level in 2013.

Shonka said the scheme and fit are important for Donnal's chances toward making a squad.

'Because he can move a little bit, he'll get a shot at guard or right tackle and be your rotate guy if somebody gets hurt,” Shonka said. 'I think he's got some talent because of the length. He's got the range you're looking for that you'd like to have at that spot in the draft.”

Hamilton (6-5, 252) might have the best shot of Iowa's non-combine attendees to get drafted. Hamilton is a tough blocker in zone scheme and has competed in a prostyle offense. Those are coveted skills with many college teams employing a spread offensive attack.

'He'll be signed as a free agent for sure, but I think he does have a chance to get drafted in the sixth or seventh round or if you need a tight end,” Shonka said. 'Like Cleveland, they'll probably draft one somewhere along the line, but they could use another tight end. I could see him getting drafted late as a long shot.”

Martin-Manley owns Iowa career receptions record with 174. He started 33 games and compiled 1,799 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He also returned two punts in the same quarter as a junior.

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