‘Tis the season for fresh starts all around the country. Today, May 1st, is the day that most of the 3 million or so high school seniors in the U.S make their final decisions on where to continue their higher education (Go St. John’s!). This weekend also happens to be the weekend of the NFL Draft, where hundreds of talented and determined athletes have their futures decided for them by the sleep-deprived, coffee-dependent executives of the National Football League. For football players and 12th graders alike, this can be a nerve-racking, and admittedly frustrating and disappointing time. For the seniors, getting into that big name school but not getting any financial help could crush dreams; likewise for the poor suckers that get drafted by the Jaguars and Buccaneers (sorry, Jameis Winston).

For as many heartbreaks as these circumstances allow, there is a small percentage of NFL hopefuls that didn’t let their college choice keep them from chasing their dream. There is a small group of NFL players that don’t come from the Alabama’s or Notre Dame’s, but rather some smaller schools in the NCAA’s Division II. I think it’s only fitting that this week those who got the most out of wherever they went and are living their NFL dream are given some limelight.

First up is everyone’s favorite average-sized superhero, Danny Woodhead. A graduate of Chadron State College in Nebraska, Woodhead set numerous DII and NCAA records, including the 2,740 yards he ran for in the 2006 regular season. He is a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner, essentially the Heisman of Division II, given to the best player in DII football. Despite his impressive stats, he wasn’t given an invite to the NFL Combine, and used his Pro Day to prove everyone wrong. Woodhead ran the 40-yard dash n 4.33 seconds, and bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times. Even after having the opportunity to prove himself in front of scouts, he wasn’t given the time of day during the 2008 NFL Draft, going undrafted. Woodhead stayed positive, and eventually signed a rookie level contract with the New York Jets.

His time at the Meadowlands was short, and he was used sparingly. After totaling just 151 all-purpose yards in his one season in green and white, Woodhead made the ultimate traitor move. He signed with the AFC-East rival Patriots the next season- one day before they played the Jets. He got his first start the week after, and scored his first career touchdown against the Dolphins. From there, Woodhead was off and running-literally. He had sustained success with the Patriots in his three-year tenure, and went on to sign a two year, $3.5 million contract with the San Diego Chargers. In his first season, he surpassed 1,000 all-purpose yards for the first time in his career. Woodhead is described by his former college coach as “unbelievable”. His perseverance and attitude throughout his football career definitely reflect those sentiments.

He’s mostly known for the best interception of the 2014 NFL Season, but Brent Grimes had a season this year that proved that he is one of the most savvy and athletic players at the cornerback position. His road to the NFL, though, is one that’s not desirable. Like Woodhead, Grimes was undrafted out of his DII alma mater Shippensburg University, where he was a 3 time All-American. He was eventually signed to the Atlanta Falcons, who allocated him to the NFL Europe. He played for 3 teams there, winning World Bowl XV with the Hamburg Sea Devils.

After that season ended, he found himself on the active roster for the Falcons. After toiling on the bottom of the depth chart for two seasons, he found success in 2009 with 66 tackles and 6 interceptions. He was even better in 2010, earning Pro Bowl Alternate honors. But then the injury bug came after Grimes, and came after him hard. He struggled with injuries in 2011 and 2012 when he tore his Achilles. He wasn’t resigned with Atlanta after 2012, and pundits immediately trashed him saying he “wasn’t worth the money” and “dicey at best” after his injury. Boy, did he show them. He made the Pro Bowl again in 2013 and 2014, and for a large portion of the 2014 season he was in discussions as one of the top cornerbacks in the game. Not bad for a guy who came from a college town known for it’s Corn Festival rather than gridiron play.

Although his school is now considered Division I, Vincent Jackson’s alma mater, the University of Northern Colorado was a lowly DII program that went 2-9 in Jackson’s final year. As a Bear, he shattered school records in receptions, receiving yards, kick return yards, punt return yards, and receiving touchdowns. To top it all off, he started for the UNC basketball team as well. He is the only one of the three players highlighted to have been drafted- he was taken in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.

His first three years in the league were slow, topping out at a very average 41 catches. From there, his career and status as a top wideout exploded. Since 2008, he has only posted one season with less than 1,000 receiving yards and in that lone season, 2010, he held out of the first 10 games due to a contract dispute. Even after his move to Tampa Bay, where he’s had some pretty bad quarterbacks in a revolving door of starters for the Bucs (Mike Glennon, Josh Freeman, Josh McCown), he kept up his 1,000 yard pace in 2014, just nipping it with 1,002 yards. While some in San Diego rah-rahed about his poor, selfish attitude, he has been labeled by former coach Greg Schiano as a team player with an incredible work ethic, and is one of the captains for the red, pewter, and white.

This isn’t to say that your team should go out and take that guy from a local community college in the NFL Draft because he has untapped potential. There are guys a lot smarter than me making those decisions, and they leave nothing to chance. Look out for the next Danny Woodhead, Brent Grimes, or Vincent Jackson, and then say “I told you so” to all of your friends and co-workers.