Colts take OT Jake Witt ((Merge))

[GoColts8818]

Final pick baring a trade.

[joecolts]

Northern Michigan OT

[Scott Pennock]

 

[tvturner]

He's a TE converted into an OT with only a year of experience in the trenches

 

Fantastic athlete and great traits but he's developmental as they get

 

Ballard and Co had a great draft - on paper

[CR91]

That's 12th and most likely final pick for the colts

[Dobbinblitz]

Converted Basketball player

[joecolts]

Just now, Scott Pennock said:

 

I like this pick

[dw49]

Isn't he an OT ?

[GoColts8818]

1 minute ago, tvturner said:

He's a TE converted into an OT with only a year of experience in the trenches

 

Fantastic athlete and great traits but he's developmental as they get

 

Ballard and Co had a great draft - on paper

Gotta see how it all pans out on the field but let’s be honest this draft is going to be largely judged on Richardson does.  

[Scott Pennock]

Two extremely athletic tackles to develop for the future and both have similar backgrounds and scouting reports as Raimann….

[GoColts8818]

Well McShay loves him.

[tvturner]

Just now, GoColts8818 said:

Gotta see how it all ones out on the field but let’s be honest this draft is going to be largely judged on Richardson does.  

Absolutely

 

This draft will be decided by which AFC South team picked the right guy - if any

 

I'm probably one of the few that's more excited about Julius Brents than any other player they picked

[FalseStart]

Great OT depth. 

[GoColts8818]

Just now, tvturner said:

Absolutely

 

This draft will be decided by which AFC South team picked the right guy - if any

 

I'm probably one of the few that's more excited about Julius Brents than any other player they picked

I really intrigued by Downs and Freeland.  With that said it’s possible that Brents has the biggest impact on THIS season as I expect he starts day one.

[Dobbinblitz]

Started playing football as a Junior: good story to end up being drafted.

from the Athletic:

 

As Jake Witt sat at his locker during halftime of a game against eventual Division II national champion Ferris State, he saw his coach coming toward him with a new jersey: No. 65. An offensive lineman’s number.

“Oh no,” Witt thought.

Injuries had ravaged Northern Michigan’s O-line and, out of necessity, the Wildcats needed their 6-foot-7, 265-pound tight end to fill in at right tackle. Witt had never played or practiced on the offensive line, but his size made him the next man up.

“After 10 minutes of coaching Jake to play a whole new position, he allowed zero sacks or pressures against the best defensive line in the country,” former Northern Michigan offensive coordinator and interim coach Dylan Chmura later said, 

[stitches]

Probably the best OT project in this year's draft. Great pick up in the 7th. I love it. 

Another hyper athletic OT with great potential, recently transitioned from TE, so he needs work. 

 

Here's an article from Dane Brugler about his pre-draft rise to a draftable prospect:

 

https://theathletic.com/4330488/2023/03/22/nfl-draft-2023-jake-witt/

[stitches]

 

[coltsfeva]

Another former TE that switched to OT.

4.89 40

[Dobbinblitz]

Some Teams Do The Work.

 

 

[Trace Pyott]

He’s really new to the position and very athletic. He’s only going to get better.   Def a project but maybe he can be good depth or even a starter one year. 

[Dobbinblitz]

On to the UDFA’s …………..  will be a fun off-season.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

8 hours ago, Dobbinblitz said:

Started playing football as a Junior: good story to end up being drafted.

from the Athletic:

 

As Jake Witt sat at his locker during halftime of a game against eventual Division II national champion Ferris State, he saw his coach coming toward him with a new jersey: No. 65. An offensive lineman’s number.

“Oh no,” Witt thought.

Injuries had ravaged Northern Michigan’s O-line and, out of necessity, the Wildcats needed their 6-foot-7, 265-pound tight end to fill in at right tackle. Witt had never played or practiced on the offensive line, but his size made him the next man up.

“After 10 minutes of coaching Jake to play a whole new position, he allowed zero sacks or pressures against the best defensive line in the country,” former Northern Michigan offensive coordinator and interim coach Dylan Chmura later said, 

Wow. It does sound like it may not be safe to stash him on the practice squad and he needs to be on the 53 roster?

[stitches]

Dane Brugler scouting report on Jake Witt from The Beast(Draft guide): BTW it's worth buying a subscription to the Athletic only for this Draft Guide. It's probably the most detailed publicly available draft guide out there...

 

18. JAKE WITT | Northern Michigan 6071 | 302 lbs. | 5SR Bruce Crossing, Mich. (Ewen Trout) 2/7/2000 (age 23.22) #65

 

BACKGROUND: Jacob “Jake” Witt, who has one younger sister, was born and raised in Bruce Crossing, a small community on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His town didn’t have a pee-wee football program and he started playing basketball in the second grade. Witt attended Ewen Trout Creek High School where he graduated as the valedictorian of his 16-student class. He was a four-year starter on the basketball team and was named Upper Peninsula Mr. Basketball as a senior, averaging 27 points and 18 rebounds per game. He finished his basketball career with over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. As a junior, Witt joined the football team, which was the first time he had ever played organized football. In his two seasons on the football field, he was a 235-pound wide receiver at Ewen Trout Creek, which played in an eight-man football league. Witt also lettered in track (sprints, relays and throws) and set personal bests in the 100 meters (12.88), 200 meters (25.47), shot put (45’11”), discus (162’0”) and long jump (15’7.25”).

 

A no-star recruit, Witt wasn’t well known on the recruiting trail, but he received plenty of attention from Division II programs in both basketball and football. He was leaning toward playing football in college, but he had a productive senior year in basketball and that became his focus. His final decision came down to Michigan Tech for basketball, Northern Michigan for football or a preferred walk-on opportunity at Central Michigan. Witt chose Michigan Tech basketball and he averaged 6.4 points per game as a freshman in 2018-19. While Michigan Tech was known for its engineering department, he decided to become a health sciences major and transferred to Northern Michigan prior to the 2019 school year. He didn’t play sports that year and “enjoyed just being a regular student.” He started training at a local gym and they convinced him to try playing football again. Witt joined the football team as a tight end at Northern Michigan in the spring of 2020 just weeks before the pandemic shut things down. After the 2020 season was canceled, he played tight end for the first eight games of the 2021 season until halftime against Ferris State when the coaches asked him to move to right tackle out of necessity because of injuries. He started the final two games of the season at right tackle and, the following year, moved to left tackle at 280 pounds. Witt graduated with his degree in applied exercise science and health and also received his certification as a personal trainer. He received an invitation to the 2023 College Gridiron Showcase but declined as he continued to add weight.

 

STRENGTHS: Tall, athletic frame with functional length … had an “outstanding” pro-day workout, according to NFL scouts in attendance … displays above-average lateral agility on inside/outside zone … his slide quickness in pass protection allows him to mirror and stay centered against pass rushers (his basketball background is evident) … impressive lower-body explosion (his 10’3” broad jump would have ranked the best among all offensive linemen at the combine over the last 10 years) … keeps his hands ready to go at all times with a competent punch … added 40 pounds of good weight over the last 18 months and his conditioning/training speaks for itself … tested well mentally with NFL scouts and exhibits the processing skills and desire of a quick learner … a former basketball coach described him as “super humble.”

 

WEAKNESSES: His inconsistent tape reflects his marginal football and offensive line experience … will require extensive technique and muscle memory work … needs to stay under control in his pass sets to avoid lunging with his upper half … gives up his “square” too quickly, creating short corners … has the hip flexibility to sink mid-stride, but lacks girth in his lower half and often plays tall, negating his base strength … his pad level, hand leverage and angle blocking in the run game are works in progress … needs to continue strengthening his core to better steer his target and match up with NFL power … plays with natural athletic instincts, but his positional awareness and timing aren’t NFL ready … only faced Division II competition (although that includes Ferris State’s Caleb Murphy).

 

SUMMARY: A one-year starter at left tackle at Northern Michigan, Witt made the transition from tight end to tackle in the Wildcats’ pro-style scheme. One of the wildest prospect backstories in this draft class, he was a little-used tight end in 2021 before he flourished at tackle when he was pushed to the offensive line by injuries. With only 13 career starts on the offensive line, his tape is understandably inconsistent, and he played much lighter than his current weight. However, Witt’s pro-day workout created a buzz among NFL scouts because of his remarkable testing numbers and movement skills in the positional drills. Overall, Witt is on the basement level in terms of his development on the offensive line. But with his athletic traits and natural talent, his ceiling for a patient coaching staff might be the penthouse. He is a draft-and-stash prospect worth a dart throw.

 

GRADE: 6th-7th Round

 

 

 

[rock8591]

I hope he proves me wrong and I will be eating crow...

 

Would not have passed up Hunter Leupke (FB) or Michael Turk (P). Potential pro-bowlers at 'weak' positions are better than players who never see the field.

[ColtsLegacy]

3 hours ago, rock8591 said:

I hope he proves me wrong and I will be eating crow...

 

Would not have passed up Hunter Leupke (FB) or Michael Turk (P). Potential pro-bowlers at 'weak' positions are better than players who never see the field.

 

FB and Punter? We have a pro bowl potential punter and FB lmao... Please find your nearest exit.

[Hawkeyecolt]

I believe Emery Hunt was pretty high on him too. Hunt scouts the small schools thoroughly. He had good things to say about Witt, Leo, Mallory, and Chrest. 

[GoColts8818]

3 hours ago, rock8591 said:

I hope he proves me wrong and I will be eating crow...

 

Would not have passed up Hunter Leupke (FB) or Michael Turk (P). Potential pro-bowlers at 'weak' positions are better than players who never see the field.

The Colts aren’t weak at punter when Rigo is healthy.  He’s one of the best punters in the league.