The next Wichita-area athlete to go pro
June 27, 2008 @ 9:37 a.m. by Joannaby joanna
I want to know who you think it will be. It was only a few years ago that Northwest grad Kamerion Wimbley was picked in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. It was a decade ago that Korleone Young, who went to East, went in the second round of the NBA Draft. It was four years ago that Caroline Bruce, a Wichita Trinity grad, went to the Olympics (I know, it’s not the pros. Close enough).
So who’s next? Are we looking at waiting 3-4 years for Bryce and Arthur Brown? What about Chris Harper? Jordan Cyphers?
Or is there someone like a Brian Moorman who will come out of a little town and have a long NFL career?
I know you all have ideas, let me hear them.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:58 am
I think that Logan Watkins just signed a 1/2 million dollar signing bonus with the Cubs, so there you go.
That’s a ton of money for a 21st round pick. Chicago must really like him. I was expecting him at WSU when I found out he went that late, but if you can take 500K at 18 years old, and invest it wisely, you’ve got a chance to have a very comfortable life financially.
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June 27th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Great point. I saw Paul Suellentrop’s story and Watkins signed for $600,000.
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June 27th, 2008 at 11:34 am
well out of those you mentioned. the browns will go pro but I think Harper will have a better career than expected, like a solid 10 year career as a starter
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June 27th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Chris Harper a solid 10 year starter in the NFL?
Am I missing something?
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June 27th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I must be missing something too. Harper will fit the system at Oregon but that’s about it.
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June 27th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I think it will be Logan Watkins.
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June 27th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Do what Harper NFL QB ! Not happening.
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June 27th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
He’s already a pro but Dustin Richardson (Newton) is moving up thru the Redsox baseball orginization. I believe he’s currently with their Double A team as a left handed starting pitcher (he was the same kid that was the runner-up in the Bob Knight “Walk-on” reality show).
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June 27th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Arthur Brown looks like an NFL outside linebacker to me.
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June 27th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
You ever heard of Micheal Vick? D. McNabb? Harper possesses the same skill set
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June 27th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Wow, that is a huge jump. Just because he is a running quarterback does not mean he is a Michael Vick/Donovan McNabb.
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June 27th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
If we are talking at the top pro level and minor league baseball I would say Arthur Brown. I think the Watkins kid has a great chance to move up through the minor league ranks quick and he might make it up there before Arthur gets to the NFL. Basketball wise I would say Perry Ellis has a great shot. Harper has a chance to go pro but quarterbacks rarely see any time for a couple of years where they just get to carry a clipboard. He would have a better shot if he played safety.
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June 27th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I meant to say “not minor league baseball” in the first line.
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June 27th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
By the way, I added area to Wichita in the title — I should have had it like that in the first place.
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June 27th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Arthur, at the least, will need three years. Bryce will need 4 years (1 in high school, and then 3 in college). Harper is going for 4 years. Cyphers will be at school for 4 years, unless he puts up some filthy stats, but I don’t see him leaving early.
On another baseball note, Derek Norris (2007 Goddard grad, 4th round pick of Washington Nationals last year) was promoted to upper level single A and is on a torrid hitting streak.
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June 28th, 2008 at 12:38 am
You say what you want about Harper but in 15 years when i am on ”Around The Horn” I will rub it in your faces that I was right
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June 28th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Ha..haha….Hahaha. Any reasons why he will be a 10 year starter?
And do you have a way to contact you when (if?) you are wrong?
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June 28th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Austin 1st i cant believe you put McNabb and Vick in the same sentence give me a break Vick was not even close to a “Quality QB” The whole “idea” of the running QB will hopefully have run its course in the NFL soon when Vince Young continues to fail along with others . The NFL is the big boy league you MUST be able to read defenses quicky and throw at a high % to be sucessfull. Some have became enamored with the “athlete” at the QB postion but there is GIANT Difference between lets say a Steve Young/ D.McNabb with a 60 + completion % and some who can run around with a 45%50%. I wish Chris all the luck in the world and at the NCAA level he “might” do good or even great things but thats where it stops !
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June 28th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Now back to reality ! Bryce and Arthur either/both have a shot ,they both have the size and speed to play at the NFL at there chosen postion. I will have to see Perry Ellis continue to grow as a player for a couple years before id go that far on him.
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June 28th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
When I am on “Around The Horn” I will get my face time and rub it in! And yes i did mention Vick and McNabb and I could have mentioned Young, but lets take Young, without that Championship game performence he is probably not a starter right now, all it takes is one game, look at Chalmers from KU that one shot in the NCAA championship game to tie it with like 3 secs upped his NBA stock 10x. But you guys keep doggin him and me, we will see
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June 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
We don’t even know who you are, you could be on Around the Horn right now. And I still haven’t heard any reasons why he will be a “10 year starter”.
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June 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
um do i have to go through this again, he has the skill set of a mcnabb or young or vick and teams in the pros are looking for that
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June 28th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
That doesn’t guarantee anything, buddy.
Brad Smith is a player that comes to mind. He set records at Mizzou for rushing yards as a quarterback, and for passing yards. But he is a third string wide receiver right now (Same attributes as Harper too). And please stop comparing him to Vick. Vick was a freak of nature athlete. Donovan is hurt all the time, and Young, well, give him time.
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June 28th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
your right, vick is a freak I will stop that comparrison, but Mcnabb is still a starting QB in the NFL so is Young
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June 29th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Harper does not have the “skill set” of McNabb, etc., so stop it.
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June 29th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
okay you wanna give me his skill set? He is big, fast, has a cannon, and can create for himself
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