Kalispell’s Brock Osweiler will forgo his senior year at Arizona State University and enter the NFL Draft, the school confirmed on Friday.
The former Flathead High School star recently finished his record-breaking season with the Sun Devils, becoming the first quarterback in school history to throw for more than 4,000 yards. He passed for 4,036 and 26 touchdowns, the fourth most in school history. He also set records for completions (326), pass attempts (516) and completion percentage (63.2 percent).
Osweiler is not scheduled to hold a press conference at this time but did release a statement through the school explaining his decision to leave early:
“Winter Break was an important time for me and after much deliberation, I came to an important decision. In a lot of ways it was similar to my last year in high school. In high school, I was heavily recruited and visited a few of the top programs in the country. Of all of the recruitment trips, it was ASU that struck a lasting cord. Every person I encountered was so kind and it made my decision at the time more difficult to make. As a young man, I had some serious decisions to make, not even 18 years old and I had to make a choice that would ultimately impact my life forever.”
As many of you know, before I chose to live in Arizona, I had a commitment to Gonzaga University to play basketball. For a over a year I was certain that this was my path, it wasn’t until May 16th of 2008 that I was certain I had to be ASU’s quarterback. My coach at the time, Russell McCarvel stood by my decision and I graduated a semester early from my class. By January 2009 I was officially a Sun Devil.
ASU has taken excellent care of me and the city of Tempe has changed my life for the better. Not a single day has gone by where I have had to second guess or question my decision to enroll at ASU. I knew that in my heart this was part of my destiny. While I bleed and sweat Maroon and Gold I have now made the second-most difficult decision in my life. I have decided to declare myself eligible for the NFL draft. It was an exceptionally difficult decision to make, but having spoken to my family and close friends it became clear to me that this is the next path I must take to advance my personal and professional career.
I wish I could truly thank everyone that has helped me through my years at ASU, but there isn’t a proper way to match what everyone has done for me. I have been touched by the most amazing people and have made relationships I know will last my entire life. When I arrived in Arizona I was spellbound and culture shocked by Kush stadium. Seventy-two-thousand people could fit in the stadium which is 40,000 more people then the entirety of my hometown of Kalispell, Montana.
ASU has been my home for the last three years. I will never forget how many people have gone out of their way to make ASU home for me. I would like to thank the fans that have supported me through out all of the trials and tribulations. Sincerely, there is nothing like walking onto Kush Field before kick off and having the crowd erupt. There are so many things that I will miss about ASU, but I know that I will be a Sun Devil until I die. I have a pitchfork tattoo on my ribs to symbolize the BEST three years of my life. Thank you again for all of the support and positive wishes throughout this process.
Go Devils!”
McCarvel, the head football coach at Flathead, spoke with the Beacon on Friday about Brock’s decision. McCarvel said he’s excited for his former player to take the next step.
“It’s a lot of players’ dreams to have a chance to enter the (NFL) draft. I know that he’s going to work extremely hard between now and draft day,” McCarvel said.
“The sky’s the limit. He’s got great potential and he’s got great work ethic,” McCarvel added. “Somebody’s going to pick him and in a year or so be really excited that they got him.”
McCarvel said he hopes a regional team drafts Osweiler, making it easier for local fans to travel to games and cheer him on.
“He has a great following up here,” McCarvel said.