Drew Brees – Purdue

Drew Brees Purdue Image

Drew Brees had a prolific career at Purdue University before eventually becoming a Super Bowl champion MVP. Due in large part to Drew Brees only being listed at six feet tall and coming off of a high school knee injury his choices of college scholarship offers were limited before Purdue wisely gave him a chance to showcase his skills in the football centric Big Ten Conference. Unfortunately for a number of NFL franchises that passed on Drew Brees the transition from high school to college would not be the last time Brees was underestimated in terms of his abilities to (1) overcome a lack of size and to (2) bounce back from a career threatening injury.

Drew Brees has experienced success on the football field at every level that he has competed. Growing up in Austin, Texas the Lone Star State native compiled an impressive prep resume at renowned Westlake High School in the state capital of Austin. During his two seasons as the starting quarterback Drew Brees went undefeated with 28 wins and no losses. Brees led the Westlake Chaparrals to a state championship (played in Texas Stadium) his junior year and looked poised to capture a second straight state championship his senior year before tearing his ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament – knee) in the third round of the state playoffs.

Despite his perfect record in high school doubts about his size (just under six feet and weighing less than 200 pounds) and ability to come back from a severe knee injury greatly minimized the college offers that Drew Brees received. As an academically inclined young man the school decision came down to being the signal caller at the Ivy League school Brown University or moving to West Lafayette, Indiana to join the Purdue Boilermakers. Recruiters from traditionally top tier football powerhouse programs were not courting Drew. but they should have been. Brees ultimately chose the more challenging football path between Purdue and Brown by deciding to enroll at Purdue in an effort to lead the Boilermakers to success in the Big Ten Conference, a feat seldom accomplished in West Lafayette.

At Purdue Drew Brees exceeded the expectations of even his most optimistic proponents by putting together a model college football career that should be the envy of every student athlete. The future NFL pro bowler strung together an impressive series of records at accolades while wearing a Boilermaker uniform. At the time of his departure from school Drew left the NCAA with numerous Big Ten records for such high profile categories as touchdown passes, passing yards, and completions (among others). In recognition of his personal and team success (earning a trip to the Rose Bowl) Brees received consideration for a number of illustrious awards including the Heisman Trophy, Davey O'Brien Award, and Maxwell Award – all of which are in recognition of outstanding performance.

The positive experience Drew Brees had at Purdue was not limited to the playing field. In the classroom Drew held himself to the same high standards and level of accountability that he has always been known for as a football player. In addition to earning a degree in Industrial Management his combined success in academics and athletics garnered Brees the esteemed honor of being selected as the Academic All-American Player of the Year.

Upon leaving Purdue University Drew Brees encountered familiar circumstances in which NFL teams were reluctant to invest in a man that did not optimally measure up to where they thought he should be on their height and weight charts. Despite some early bouncing around Brees eventually found his groove with the San Diego Chargers before a shoulder injury sidelined the quarterback. The shoulder issue stigma dramatically dropped the perceived future value of Drew Brees but once again the undersized player proved his critics wrong by enjoying a tremendously successful run with the New Orleans Saints that culminated with a February, 2010 Super Bowl win.

The success Drew Brees was able to transfer from Purdue University to the NFL despite being labeled as too small should serve an both an inspiration to undersized players and as a wake up call to recruiters and scouts whose statistical analysis fails to properly measure talent and heart.