Former UW quarterback John Stocco had to prove he was a college quarterback. Now, after going 29-7 in three years as UW's starter, he will have to prove he is an NFL quarterback.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported late Tuesday night that Stocco accepted an offer from the Green Bay Packers to attend their rookie orientation camp this weekend. Essentially, it is a 72-hour tryout.
After the tryout, the Packers will decide whether or not to sign the quarterback to a free-agent contract.
""I thought I'd be drafted and, if that didn't happen, I thought for sure soon after somebody would sign me,"" Stocco told the Sentinel Tuesday. ""On Sunday, I thought either Arizona or St. Louis would sign me. Then my agent got a call today from the Packers saying they wanted me to try out.""
Stocco was projected by some to be a late-round draft pick, and it was somewhat surprising he did not receive an offer soon after he went undrafted.
""It's been really stressful,"" Stocco said. ""But at the same time all I want is a shot. Guys like Chris Leak and (Tyler) Palko didn't get drafted either. I think it's a good situation and I'm going to try to make the most of it.""
Stocco will be joined by rookie free agent Jerry Babb at this weekend's camp. Babb was a four-year starter at Louisiana-Lafayette and was picked up by Green Bay shortly after the draft concluded Sunday.
Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Ingle Martin made up the Packers' quarterback depth chart last season.
Ryan receives another '08 commitment
It looks as though Wisconsin has nabbed yet another recruit flying under the radar.
Robert Wilson, a 6'4'' guard-forward from Garfield Heights, Ohio, announced in a press conference Wednesday that he will be attending the University of Wisconsin in 2008.
Wilson is the third commitment for Ryan's '08 class, joining Jordan Taylor, a point guard from Minneapolis, and Jared Berggren, a center from Princeton, Minn. All three players can officially sign during the early signing period that starts Nov. 14.
The UW coaching staff has been interested in Wilson for over a year ,and his commitment comes right as the recruit was starting to garner increased attention. Last weekend Wilson had an impressive performance at the King James Shooting Stars Classic in Akron, Ohio. Since then, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Florida have all expressed interest in Wilson, according to the Sentinel. In addition to Wisconsin, Akron, Cleveland State, Dayton and Penn State have all put offers on table. Unfortunately for the elite programs making a late push, Wilson appears set to be a Badger unless he backs out of his verbal commitment before November.
""He's a very mature kid,"" Wilson's head coach Sonny Johnson told the Sentinel. ""I told Coach Ryan that this is a kid you won't have to worry about going to class or being late to a workout. He's just a great kid.""
Wilson has yet to visit UW-Madison, but he was convinced by the UW coaching staff, according to the Sentinel.
""It was just the truthfulness,"" Wilson said Tuesday night. ""The coaches were talking to me and weren't holding anything back.""
