A review of the success, failures, and process of collecting the autographs of NCAA football and basketball stars from around the country...
Former Vanderbilt left-handed pitcher Jeremy Sowers failed to sign in the index cards I enclosed but did return a signed rookie card that he provided. That request, sent care of the AAA Buffalo Bisons, took just 21 days. The former Commodore was taken by the Cleveland Indians with the 6th overall pick in the 2004 MLB Draft and has since seen some time in the big leagues.
posted by Jonathan @ 9:55 PM
Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter has signed and returned a pair of index cards care of his home address in Tempe. That success took just 32 days. Carpenter, who will be a junior this fall, ranks second nationally in career TDs and passing efficiency among those who will also be juniors in 2007. He has thrown for more yards and touchdowns than any other player in ASU's history over the course of their freshman and sophomore seasons. In his first season, Carpenter became the first freshman to ever lead the nation passing efficiency, and in the process, he also earned Freshman All-America honors.
Former Missouri State left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler has also signed a pair of index cards, this success courtesy of his minor league team, the GCL Nationals. That success took only 19 days. Detwiler was selected with the 6th overall pick of this past June's MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals, becoming the highest MSU player ever chosen. For the Bears this spring, Detwiler compiled a 2.22 ERA and struck out 110 batters in 89 innings.
posted by Jonathan @ 1:22 PM
A total of four successes were in the box to get the week started off right...
Star Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, a Heisman candidate this fall, signed and returned both index cards sent to him. Since I have sent him a number of requests over the past few months, I cannot be sure to which address this one was sent. McFadden, who won the Doak Walker Award as the country's top tailback last year, has already run for over 2600 yards in just two seasons and finished second in the Heisman voting last fall.
In addition, Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner also signed and returned a pair of index cards I sent him care of the WFU Athletic Department. That request took just 10 days. Skinner will be a redshirt sophomore this season after earning ACC Rookie of the Year and 2nd Team All-ACC honors in 2006. In his first season under center, the Jacksonville, FL native set 10 school records for passing.
Looking to the diamond, former Florida State ace Bryan Henry has signed a pair of index cards in 16 days care of his brand new minor leauge squad, the Missoula Osprey. Henry, selected in the 12th round of this past June's MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, was the 2007 ACC Pitcher of the Year and a First Team All-American after compiling a 14-2 record and 2.60 ERA in his senior campaign.
And last but not least, former Alabama ace Wade LeBlanc also signed a pair of index cards in just 14 days care of his minor league team, the San Antonio Missions. LeBlanc was taken with the 61st overall pick by the San Diego Padres last June after putting together an 11-1 record and 2.92 ERA for the Crimson Tide in 2006.
posted by Jonathan @ 3:59 PM
Former Wright State infielder Ross Oeder has signed and returned a pair of index cards in just 12 days sent to him care of his current minor league team, the Batavia Muckdogs. Oeder was selected in the 28th round of the MLB Draft last month by the St. Louis Cardinals after being named the Horizon League Player of the Year for 2007. He was also named a Second Team All-American by TPX.
posted by Jonathan @ 9:53 PM
Former star University of Florida quarterback and 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel signed and returned a pair of index cards sent care of his organization, Desire Street Ministries. That success took just 11 days. During his days at UF, Wuerffel led the Gators to four straight SEC titles and a national championship victory over in-state rival Florida State. He is the only Heisman Trophy winner to ever receive the Draddy Trophy, which is given annually to college football's top player in terms of the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance.
In addition, current Gator hoops star Marreese Speights also signed and returned both index cards I sent to him care of his home address. Like the Wuerffel success, this one also took just 11 days. Speights, who will be a sophomore on Billy Donovan's squad this upcoming season, is projected to be at least a first round pick in next year's NBA Draft, if not a lottery selection.
posted by Jonathan @ 2:49 PM
Former Stephen F. Austin star first baseman Steven Hill signed both index cards, completed my questionnaire, and wrote back a nice note care of his new minor league squad, Swing of the Quad Cities. The former Jacks slugger, who was third in the entire country with 24 homeruns this past spring, returned the request in just 8 days. Hill, recently selected in the 13th round by the Cardinals, was named the Southland Conference's Player of the Year and named a First Team All-American by Louisville Slugger after hiting .385 this spring. You can view the questionnaire by visiting the message board.
posted by Jonathan @ 4:18 PM
Outstanding Louisville kicker Art Carmody is the latest college football success, returning both index cards I sent signed care of the UofL Football Complex. That success took just 7 days. Carmody was the Lou Groza Award winner last season as the nation's top kicker and was also a First Team All-Big East selection after ranking 4th in the nation in scoring. Coming into this season, he has connected on 34 of his last 37 field goal attempts.
In addition, former Purdue shortstop and recent New York Yankees 6th round selection Mitch Hilligoss signed both index cards I sent him care of his new minor league squad, the Charleston RiverDogs. That success took just 5 days. Hilligoss is Purdue's all-time leading hitter in terms of batting average and was a two-time First Team All Big-Ten selection.
posted by Jonathan @ 12:46 PM
Current Texas QB Colt McCoy is the first college football success of the summer as we look towards the upcoming season and the start of fall practice in under a month. The Longhorns' star signed each index card I enclosed and also partially completed the questionnaire (which can be viewed on the message board) in just a dozen days care of the UT athletic department.
Meanwhile, former Florida State and current Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn signed a pair of index cards for me care of the team's mailing address. That request, sent back in October of last year, took 271 days.
posted by Jonathan @ 1:22 PM
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posted by Jonathan @ 8:31 PM
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