I had the opportunity to spend the day with former EMU LB Daniel Holtzclaw and his family on day two of the NFL Draft to do a story for the Enid News & Eagle. The paper has given me permission to reprint the piece which was published today at MAC Report Online. It's a snapshot really of the anxiety of draft day for both Daniel and his family.

Check it out at http://www.macreportonline.com

Good job Dave, nice article. I can somewhat feel what he went through, those were 2 very long days. He deserves a shot and he`ll get it. If he hasnt already, Im sure he`ll rethink the transferring comment.

No understands Dan's frustration better than Dan. However the transfer comment is really undeserved. EMU gave Daniel a full ride scholie to a guy who didn't have one Div I offer except as a walk-on as well as the opportunity to start four years straight. I guess that's graditude for you.

(04-28-2009 12:53 PM)emu79 Wrote:  No understands Dan's frustration better than Dan. However the transfer comment is really undeserved. EMU gave Daniel a full ride scholie to a guy who didn't have one Div I offer except as a walk-on as well as the opportunity to start four years in a roll. I guess that's graditude for you.

That's just heat-of-the-moment frustration. That's all it is and there it goes.

As far as I can tell, all that effort in four years proves his gratitude.

(04-28-2009 12:53 PM)emu79 Wrote:  No understands Dan's frustration better than Dan. However the transfer comment is really undeserved. EMU gave Daniel a full ride scholie to a guy who didn't have one Div I offer except as a walk-on as well as the opportunity to start four years in a roll. I guess that's graditude for you.

Don't take that comment to heart. It was an emotional response given at a very tough moment. Daniel has very fond memories of EMU, trust me.

(04-28-2009 01:16 PM)HuronDave Wrote:  

(04-28-2009 12:53 PM)emu79 Wrote:  No understands Dan's frustration better than Dan. However the transfer comment is really undeserved. EMU gave Daniel a full ride scholie to a guy who didn't have one Div I offer except as a walk-on as well as the opportunity to start four years in a roll. I guess that's graditude for you.

Don't take that comment to heart. It was an emotional response given at a very tough moment. Daniel has very fond memories of EMU, trust me.

Thanks HD, that was my point exactly. Knowing him personally for the last 4 years I know that was a emotional reaction.

I agree. An emotional reaction on a very emotional day. And the reality is, he played behind a very inexperienced D-line last year. Other than Hunt, a senior DT, he started the season with Orhman- freshman DE, Palsrok-Sophomore DT, and Downs-Junior DE with very limited playing time. After the Mich. State game, Palsrok goes down with an injury, replaced by Slater-Freshman DT. So, for most the season he plays with 2 Freshman, 1 Senior, and 1 inexperienced Junior....With all freshman depth behind that. With a more experienced D-Line he has a better Senior year and gets drafted.....IMO

Eagle Attack and the year before last year he played with Jason Jones and an experienced d-line with Young etc. The NFL scouts who came to see Jones also got to see Lang and Holtzclaw.

And MAC Helment, its not a one street. I appreciate Dan's contribution on the field as much as you do but in return he got a full ride scholarship and use of training facilities and coaching all paid for by the school. At Oklahoma that offered him the walk on he'd be paying his own way.

Hopefully it all works out for him and he gets a legit shot at playing in the NFL.