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The new ownership of the West Virginia Beasts took some long strides to improving one of the league's worst franchises in the first three rounds of the IFL entry draft.
The Beasts, largely a aging team at most skill positions prior to GM Mark Lukehart's tenure began at the head of the franchise, strengthened its linebacker corps, landed a highly touted receiving prospect, drafted the highest rated quarterback in the draft, and traded up to snag a center that could become the centerpiece of the interior offensive line for years to come.
And the third round isn't even over.
"I think we made a great deal of headway toward turning the franchise around," Lukehart said following the drafting of center Claude Ellis with the 3-11 pick. "We may have even moved up the timetable to when we think we will be able to realistically compete for a championship."
Lukehart drafted largely on potential this year, which is taking a huge gamble since a team lacking in highly rated talent usually take the safe bets. Not this time. Lukehart took highly criticized quarterback Chad Harding with the third overall pick. The team was tempted to take the safer pick of linebacker Ty Sowers, but opted to take a chance on a quarterback that could very well become face of the franchise for years to come. But, if the Harding experiment doesn't pan out, he will become the symbol of failure.
The top reason the Beasts gave Harding the nod over Sowers was the excellent combine the Florida quarterback had earlier in the year. It backed up his high scout rating awarded to him coming out of college.
"It will be interesting to see how everything plays out. But I won't be satisfied with only turning this franchise around. I will be satisfied with the excellence in which I envision my team playing in the very near future," Lukehart said.
Here are a look at the other West Virginia draft picks:
• 2-3 - The franchise landed one of the early surprises of the draft when they drafted Carlton Nitschke. The outside linebacker will be moved to SILB in the Beasts 3-4 defense this year. With no real competition at the position, it is expected that Nitschke will start. Nitschke, while highly rated by scouts, was passed on by many teams when he skipped the IFL combine for personal reasons. The Beasts, however, were impressed with the personal workout he did for the team last month to make him a priority to draft.
• 3-3 - Jimmy Roberts wooed scouts at the combine, posting the best 40 time of 4.29, as well as an impressive agility score. He was solid in all other aspects of the combine as well. Some critics view Roberts as a stretch at 3-3, but with the lack of receiving talent on the team, the franchise needed to make a move, especially with the excellent interview Roberts had.
• 3-11 - Center Randy Ellard was projected to go slightly earlier than 3-11, so when the Beasts saw him drop toward the middle of the third round, they didn't want to wait anymore. They sent their 3-16 and 4-19 picks to Wichita to move up five spots and snagged Ellard. Ellard's questionable work ethic apparently turned off many suitors, but with a big need at center, the Beasts had no problem taking him.
The Beasts, largely a aging team at most skill positions prior to GM Mark Lukehart's tenure began at the head of the franchise, strengthened its linebacker corps, landed a highly touted receiving prospect, drafted the highest rated quarterback in the draft, and traded up to snag a center that could become the centerpiece of the interior offensive line for years to come.
And the third round isn't even over.
"I think we made a great deal of headway toward turning the franchise around," Lukehart said following the drafting of center Claude Ellis with the 3-11 pick. "We may have even moved up the timetable to when we think we will be able to realistically compete for a championship."
Lukehart drafted largely on potential this year, which is taking a huge gamble since a team lacking in highly rated talent usually take the safe bets. Not this time. Lukehart took highly criticized quarterback Chad Harding with the third overall pick. The team was tempted to take the safer pick of linebacker Ty Sowers, but opted to take a chance on a quarterback that could very well become face of the franchise for years to come. But, if the Harding experiment doesn't pan out, he will become the symbol of failure.
The top reason the Beasts gave Harding the nod over Sowers was the excellent combine the Florida quarterback had earlier in the year. It backed up his high scout rating awarded to him coming out of college.
"It will be interesting to see how everything plays out. But I won't be satisfied with only turning this franchise around. I will be satisfied with the excellence in which I envision my team playing in the very near future," Lukehart said.
Here are a look at the other West Virginia draft picks:
• 2-3 - The franchise landed one of the early surprises of the draft when they drafted Carlton Nitschke. The outside linebacker will be moved to SILB in the Beasts 3-4 defense this year. With no real competition at the position, it is expected that Nitschke will start. Nitschke, while highly rated by scouts, was passed on by many teams when he skipped the IFL combine for personal reasons. The Beasts, however, were impressed with the personal workout he did for the team last month to make him a priority to draft.
• 3-3 - Jimmy Roberts wooed scouts at the combine, posting the best 40 time of 4.29, as well as an impressive agility score. He was solid in all other aspects of the combine as well. Some critics view Roberts as a stretch at 3-3, but with the lack of receiving talent on the team, the franchise needed to make a move, especially with the excellent interview Roberts had.
• 3-11 - Center Randy Ellard was projected to go slightly earlier than 3-11, so when the Beasts saw him drop toward the middle of the third round, they didn't want to wait anymore. They sent their 3-16 and 4-19 picks to Wichita to move up five spots and snagged Ellard. Ellard's questionable work ethic apparently turned off many suitors, but with a big need at center, the Beasts had no problem taking him.
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