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12/18/2012 - After finals this semester, JC Tretter '13 will launch into five weeks of 12-hour training sessions in preparation for a football game that might clinch him an NFL berth. His mantra: "Work hard and get bigger, faster, stronger." That's what Tretter has been doing since grade school.
Tretter, who was named a second team All-American by the Associated Press and a third team All-American by the Sports Network, was selected Dec. 12 to play in the Senior Bowl, Jan. 26 in Mobile, Ala. The bowl is one of football's premier pre-draft events, annually featuring the country's best senior collegiate football stars and top NFL draft prospects. Some 800 coaches, scouts and team staffers will be watching every move of America's best college players. A lucky few will be drafted by the NFL. Tretter intends to be one of them.
He arrived at Schoellkopf Field as a 237-pound tight end. Intense training helped build him to 305 pounds and to excel as a tackle, particularly this year. "The season progressed well for me. Football is where I'm headed," Tretter said. If he isn't drafted, Tretter hopes to be signed as a free agent.
At the IMG Academy's football program in Bradenton, Fla., training sessions will run daily from is 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., as Trotter hones his skills as a guard, his assigned position for the Senior Bowl, to be broadcast at 3:30 p.m. on the NFL Network. - Mary Catt, Cornell Chronicle
OVERVIEW
A high school quarterback and basketball star who signed with Cornell to play tight end, Tretter has maintained his athleticism while adding mass, emerging as one of this year's more intriguing developmental offensive linemen.
Tretter spent his first two seasons with the Big Red as a backup tight end, catching five passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. He made the move to left tackle as a junior, earning Second Team All-Ivy League honors in his first season at the position and ascending to First Team accolades as a senior.
Tretter's rapid development caught the attention of former Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage, now the director of the Senior Bowl, who invited the Cornell blocker to the prestigious all-star game. Unfortunately for Tretter, a broken nose suffered while training before the game kept him sidelined, robbing scouts of the opportunity to see him against top competition.
Virtually untested and likely to be switching positions, Tretter is almost surely a year (or more) from significantly contributing, but a team could see his athleticism and surprising technique as reason enough to invest a Day Three selection.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS: Possesses an athletic frame with room for additional muscle mass. Quick off the snap, demonstrating light feet with lateral agility and balance. Shoots his hands into the chest of his opponent and flashes some nastiness to knock defenders to the ground when he senses them off-balance. Shows surprising football intelligence considering his lack of experience. Recognizes blitzes and adjusts to stunts well, showing the ability to slide off of double-teams and take on the defender looping around. Takes the game seriously, showing the attention to detail to improve. An ascending talent who is just scratching the surface of his potential.
WEAKNESSES: Obvious level of competition questions. Likely will be asked to make the transition inside, as he possesses shorter than ideal arms (32.25 inches) and, while quick against Ivy League defenders, does not possess the foot speed to handle NFL edge rushers. Lacks the strength and use of leverage to anchor against NFL defensive tackles. Possesses clear upside but may be strictly a developmental squad candidate as a rookie.
Compares To: Herb Taylor, OG, Jacksonville Jaguars -- Taylor was originally drafted out of TCU as an offensive tackle by Kansas City, but his smallish frame has pushed him inside during stops in Denver, Green Bay and, most recently, earning his second career start in Jacksonville. Tretter, like Taylor, has the upside to find a niche as his frame fills out.
