BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 62,296
- Reaction score
- 18,974
- Points
- 113
per Business Journal:
Minneapolis-based sports agent Blake Baratz has knack for finding unheralded college football players and getting them a chance to impress NFL teams. Many of his clients, including Minnesota Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Adam Thielen and fullback C.J. Ham, came from small colleges and made it big in the NFL.
But the spread of COVID-19 and social distancing is making his job much tougher as players haven’t been able come anywhere close to NFL scouts and team executives for a month. Baratz, who is head of Institute for Athletes, is doing his best to represent his clients who hope to see their names called at the NFL Draft, which is just one week away. But he can only do it from his Twin Cities home with a cell phone and a computer.
Among his clients are Minnesota Gophers wide receiver Tyler Johnson, Wisconsin linebacker Chris Orr, Minnesota State Mankato wide receiver Shane Zylstra, Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder, Air Force wide receiver Geraud Sanders and St. John’s (Minn.) quarterback Jackson Erdman.
Within his own group of clients, some have been affected by the pandemic more than others. Here’s why: Better-known players at better-known schools have gotten plenty of exposure. Many went to the NFL Combine in late February and some were able to get their pro day workouts in before the pandemic caused many schools to cancel theirs.
“In Tyler's (Johnson) case, I don't think it'll affect him much just because he had good film from two years playing against big time competition,“ Baratz said. “He’s healthy. He was at the combine. Every team got to interview him. So I don't think it'll affect him much one way or the other.”
Go Gophers!!
Minneapolis-based sports agent Blake Baratz has knack for finding unheralded college football players and getting them a chance to impress NFL teams. Many of his clients, including Minnesota Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Adam Thielen and fullback C.J. Ham, came from small colleges and made it big in the NFL.
But the spread of COVID-19 and social distancing is making his job much tougher as players haven’t been able come anywhere close to NFL scouts and team executives for a month. Baratz, who is head of Institute for Athletes, is doing his best to represent his clients who hope to see their names called at the NFL Draft, which is just one week away. But he can only do it from his Twin Cities home with a cell phone and a computer.
Among his clients are Minnesota Gophers wide receiver Tyler Johnson, Wisconsin linebacker Chris Orr, Minnesota State Mankato wide receiver Shane Zylstra, Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder, Air Force wide receiver Geraud Sanders and St. John’s (Minn.) quarterback Jackson Erdman.
Within his own group of clients, some have been affected by the pandemic more than others. Here’s why: Better-known players at better-known schools have gotten plenty of exposure. Many went to the NFL Combine in late February and some were able to get their pro day workouts in before the pandemic caused many schools to cancel theirs.
“In Tyler's (Johnson) case, I don't think it'll affect him much just because he had good film from two years playing against big time competition,“ Baratz said. “He’s healthy. He was at the combine. Every team got to interview him. So I don't think it'll affect him much one way or the other.”
Go Gophers!!