2014 NFL Draft: Does Anyone Care About Former Oregon Duck Colt Lyerla?
September 22, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Colt Lyerla (15) runs the ball against the Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
In what may turn out to be quite the story this weekend for one former Oregon Ducks player, the story of former tight end Colt Lyerla is one of failure, and could ultimately become one of decent and talented success for a young man with some heavy character issues. Where do I start with this young man. Is it that he decided to depart the Oregon football program too early, then was caught with drugs in his car by Eugene Police or that he is a troubled kid with a very high upside when it comes to football, if he works on his game. Does anyone really care about Colt Lyerla anymore?
It’s been long enough now that the spotlight has dimmed on him pretty much completely. If he is passed over this weekend for the 2014 NFL Draft there will be ‘told ya so’s all around for a beast of a kid that at one point was a pretty much unstoppable force in the Oregon Ducks backfield. However, if a team calls his name, it will certainly be a shifted storyline of second chances and the possibility of redemption. Not just in his personal life and his choices, but also on the field as well.
If Lyerla is picked I for one will be excited for him, and I’m sure I am not the only one. For a young man that had a very promising college career, to see his talent unleahed on an NFL field will be fun to watch. Aside from the Clowney’s and the Manziel’s had Lyerla stayed in school and played hard over the last few seasons there is not doubt he would have been a first round talent. Time will tell if someone will weigh talent and character and draft him.
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