Van_Slyke_CF
Mentor
Thanks for this article, Don.
Jake Sharp
- Thread starter patriot
- Start date
Toby Hillis
Guru
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2009
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That is the reason I get so passionate and so POd when someone asks me, "why do you care?" This kid hit the lottery of life--he has the talent to be one of the very, very few who get paid to play a sport. Yet, he does not get to cash in his lottery ticket because he's the wrong color. What that must feel like! Edited by: Toby Hillis
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
Exactly Hillis! Sharp is a clear case of a man's dreams being shattered due to race and a case of sober non self loathing fans being denied the pleasure of watching this explosive talent and shatteror of false stereotypes. He was more productive than several backs DRAFTED in the last three years and showed much potential as a junior and the beginning of his senior year before getting hurt. Let's take a look at a three game span where Sharp caught his grove against some quality opponents as a junior after starting to get acclimated to the Kansas offense:
Against a quality Oklahoma defense Sharp rushed: 12-103-8.6 YPC!- 1 TD
Texas Tech: 13-80-6.2 YPC
Kansas State: 21-181!-8.6 YPC!- 4 TD!
The kid showed much potential after Mangina stopped jerking him around as a junior and started off his senior year with a bang before getting hurt.
Now to top this off Sharp's 40 would put him in the top 3 backs at the NFL combine this year and last! His average time averaged to 4.38 with the fastest stopwatches clocking him at 4.34! His short shuttle would have tied him with Dexter McCluster as the fastest RB time at the 2010 combine with a time of 4.06! His 3 cone would have tied him for 2nd at the 2010 combine with Joique Bell! And looking at his film, he projects as a 3rd or 4th round talent. Combine this with showing the best measurables OVERALL at the 2010 combine and late round draft caliber production and Sharp should have been picked around the time Joe McKnight was picked in the 4th round IMO, yet he doesn't even get a training camp invite
and Hatie and his Black Bears discard him in a mini camp where according to one media report he looked EXPLOSIVE in and out of his cuts and in multiple drills! I think I can rest my case that race was the main issue in Sharp's complete lack of opportunity.Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
Against a quality Oklahoma defense Sharp rushed: 12-103-8.6 YPC!- 1 TD
Texas Tech: 13-80-6.2 YPC
Kansas State: 21-181!-8.6 YPC!- 4 TD!
The kid showed much potential after Mangina stopped jerking him around as a junior and started off his senior year with a bang before getting hurt.
Now to top this off Sharp's 40 would put him in the top 3 backs at the NFL combine this year and last! His average time averaged to 4.38 with the fastest stopwatches clocking him at 4.34! His short shuttle would have tied him with Dexter McCluster as the fastest RB time at the 2010 combine with a time of 4.06! His 3 cone would have tied him for 2nd at the 2010 combine with Joique Bell! And looking at his film, he projects as a 3rd or 4th round talent. Combine this with showing the best measurables OVERALL at the 2010 combine and late round draft caliber production and Sharp should have been picked around the time Joe McKnight was picked in the 4th round IMO, yet he doesn't even get a training camp invite
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
I should also mention that Sharp would have the potential to become a 2nd round caliber RB in the NFL and a good back who could split carries in a dual set backfield. Sharp would just have to work on his patience and instincts following blocks and maybe work on his power a bit. It's not easy perfecting patience, but Sharp has a great work ethic. Sharp is amongst the elite in athleticism for RBs in the NFL.
Wichita Wild Sign RB Jake Sharp
After playing high school and college football in Kansas, Jake Sharp will play professional football in his home state. Sharp has signed a one-year contract with the Wichita Wild.
Sharp figures to split duties at running back with Darius Fudge, who is one of the top runners in the Indoor Football League.
A standout at Salina Central High School, Sharp set a state record with 63 touchdowns. He was Kansas's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2005 and finished second on the all-time career rushing list with 6,524 yards.
At the University of Kansas, Sharp was the starting running back on the Jayhawks 2008 Orange Bowl-winning squad. He finished tenth on the school's all-time rushing chart with 2,239 yards and is tied for third all-time in rushing touchdowns with 23.
The Wichita Wild have also had discussions with Sharp's KU teammate, quarterback Todd Reesing.
The Wild have lost in the conference finals each of the past two seasons.
<a href="http://www.ksn.com/content/sports/localsports/story/Wichita-Wild-Sign-RB-Jake-Sharp/Pmgst6hZo06FIDgDe49P6A.cspx" target="_blank">
http://www.ksn.com/content/sports/localsports/story/Wichita-Wild-Sign-RB-Jake-Sharp/Pmgst6hZo06FIDgDe49P6A.cspx</A>
After playing high school and college football in Kansas, Jake Sharp will play professional football in his home state. Sharp has signed a one-year contract with the Wichita Wild.
Sharp figures to split duties at running back with Darius Fudge, who is one of the top runners in the Indoor Football League.
A standout at Salina Central High School, Sharp set a state record with 63 touchdowns. He was Kansas's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2005 and finished second on the all-time career rushing list with 6,524 yards.
At the University of Kansas, Sharp was the starting running back on the Jayhawks 2008 Orange Bowl-winning squad. He finished tenth on the school's all-time rushing chart with 2,239 yards and is tied for third all-time in rushing touchdowns with 23.
The Wichita Wild have also had discussions with Sharp's KU teammate, quarterback Todd Reesing.
The Wild have lost in the conference finals each of the past two seasons.
<a href="http://www.ksn.com/content/sports/localsports/story/Wichita-Wild-Sign-RB-Jake-Sharp/Pmgst6hZo06FIDgDe49P6A.cspx" target="_blank">
http://www.ksn.com/content/sports/localsports/story/Wichita-Wild-Sign-RB-Jake-Sharp/Pmgst6hZo06FIDgDe49P6A.cspx</A>
G
Guest
Guest
We need a plan. We could use some recent tape and if his agent is smart they will set up a site highlighting his talents that we could direct people to watch. Then with a division of labor we target team sites for pro-Sharp blurbs. Or we could whine.
FootballDad
Hall of Famer
Just an update on Jake Sharp, for those who are interested. He hasn't given up on his dream of playing in the NFL. Of course, we at CF knew that his tryout with Hatie's Black Bears was probably the biggest mistake he could have possibly made. A tryout with almost any other team would have left Jake way ahead of where he is now.
This spring, he played with the Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League. He was on the roster as a wr/rb, although most of his time was spent in the slot or on kickoff returns. The last bit of news on Jake, outside of his youth football camp (we couldn't attend it as it conflicted with another camp we were participating in) is that he was trying out for the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL. I don't show that he was offered a roster spot, which is amazing considering their top back is Maurice Clarett (really)! Here are the relevant bits from the story here:
9:50 a.m. CDT, May 18, 2011
{WICHITA, Kan.}—
Wichita Wild all-purpose threat Jake Sharp was invited to participate in an individual tryout with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL). Sharp is leaving the Wild immediately to prepare for the workout which will take place in early June. The UFL is an outdoor league and is considered to be the second highest level of pro football in America.
"We are all very happy for Jake. This is exactly why players compete at our level." Wild GM John Blazek says. "We want them to have the opportunity to move on."
Sharp made his biggest impact for the Wild as a kick returner and could fill that role for the Nighthawks. Sharp averaged 27.4 yards on
23 kickoff returns for the Wild this season. Sharp is third on the team in receptions with 23.
This spring, he played with the Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League. He was on the roster as a wr/rb, although most of his time was spent in the slot or on kickoff returns. The last bit of news on Jake, outside of his youth football camp (we couldn't attend it as it conflicted with another camp we were participating in) is that he was trying out for the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL. I don't show that he was offered a roster spot, which is amazing considering their top back is Maurice Clarett (really)! Here are the relevant bits from the story here:
9:50 a.m. CDT, May 18, 2011
{WICHITA, Kan.}—
Wichita Wild all-purpose threat Jake Sharp was invited to participate in an individual tryout with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL). Sharp is leaving the Wild immediately to prepare for the workout which will take place in early June. The UFL is an outdoor league and is considered to be the second highest level of pro football in America.
"We are all very happy for Jake. This is exactly why players compete at our level." Wild GM John Blazek says. "We want them to have the opportunity to move on."
Sharp made his biggest impact for the Wild as a kick returner and could fill that role for the Nighthawks. Sharp averaged 27.4 yards on
23 kickoff returns for the Wild this season. Sharp is third on the team in receptions with 23.
Colonel_Reb
Hall of Famer
Thanks for the update, FootballDad! I hope Jake can continue playing pro football at some level. It is always better if White athletes have some exposure to the public than none at all.
Looks like the Omaha Nighthawks are loading up on talented White players, Crouch now Sharp. I believe Matt O'Hanlon is still on the roster from last year. Maybe they can pick up some more players like Mike Hass and Matt Jones and destroy everyone else in the league.
I wonder if Dustin Fox is still wanting to play, he is still 28. Maybe Bobby Carpenter can finally get a real chance as well. Dane Sanzenbacher might as well go because he won't get a chance on the Bears, then Steltz as well as Eric Peterman. I would definitely make a trip if they had all of those guys.
I wonder if Dustin Fox is still wanting to play, he is still 28. Maybe Bobby Carpenter can finally get a real chance as well. Dane Sanzenbacher might as well go because he won't get a chance on the Bears, then Steltz as well as Eric Peterman. I would definitely make a trip if they had all of those guys.
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