May
4
Wallace is doing Adrian proud in Allen Park
Madison High product being ‘coached hard’
by Lions' staff
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ALLEN PARK, Mich.—Adrian
College’s Taz Wallace hit the field at the
Detroit Lions’ indoor facility on Friday
as a non-drafted rookie camp invitee and responded
with a great day among some of the best athletes
in the nation.
Competing against first-round
draft pick Calvin Johnson from Georgia Tech and
Michigan State’s Drew Stanton, a second-rounder,
Wallace held his own, picking off a pass during
the squad’s 7-on-7 drills and drawing the
attention of some the Lions’ brass, including
president and general manager Matt Millen and
owner William Clay Ford.
“He was definitely thrown
into the fire today,” said Adrian College
defensive coordinator Aaron Klotz, who was on
hand with the rest of the Bulldog coaching staff
to take part in Detroit’s coaching staff
meetings. “He held his own and did AC proud.”
Reports for Lions camp stated
that Wallace was ‘coached hard’ by
the Detroit defensive staff, including defensive
coordinator Joe Barry.
“Taz is a player that craves
coaching, so that is a good thing that the coaches
are on him that hard. Obviously, they wouldn’t
bother riding him if they didn’t see something
in him,” said Adrian College head coach
Jim Lyall.
When the screaming from the coaching
staff had momentarily ceased and the rubber from
the turf had settled, a play Wallace made was
even rewarded with a ‘flying chest-bump’
from Barry, in his first year at the helm of the
Detroit defense.
Wallace is participating in the
camp that also features fellow MIAA-standout Josh
Brehm from Alma College.
While a long-shot to make the
eventual 47-man roster that will travel to Oakland,
California to open the 2007 season against the
Raiders, the Madison High School graduate is off
to a great start in his professional football
career.
For more information on Wallace
and the Lions’ rookie camp that lasts through
Sunday with two practices per-day, log onto www.detroitlions.com.
April
29, 2007
Adrian
College’s Wallace invited to Lions’
Rookie Camp
Division III’s all-time leading tackler
to compete for roster spot
ADRIAN,
Mich.—Adrian
College’s Taz Wallace has been invited to
the Detroit Lions rookie camp next weekend in
Allen Park, Michigan.
Wallace,
who starred at middle linebacker for the Adrian
College Bulldogs and became NCAA Division III’s
all-time leading tackler by averaging over 13
stops per game in his career, will travel to Allen
Park on Thursday to participate in the rookie
camp along with the Lions’ 2007 draft picks
and other free agency candidates.
Wallace
spoke of his opportunity with the Lions.
“I
really just thank God. All I wanted was an opportunity
and it is just a blessing that it came today.
I thank the Detroit Lions for giving me this opportunity.”
Wallace
stated that he received a phone call from Lions’
college scout Bob Beers following the conclusion
of the draft, inviting the Madison High School
product to next weekend’s four-day camp.
“I
am going to go there with the mentality that I
am going to stay, not just for the experience
or for a vacation.”
When
asked about the fact that he is one of very few
NCAA Division III players invited to camp, Wallace
dismissed having any kind of chip on his shoulder.
“I
am just going to go there and be myself. That
is what I always do. I am going to be humble and
hard-working. I am not going to be affected by
the fact that I come from a smaller school.”
Adrian
College head football coach Jim Lyall spoke about
Sunday’s news.
“This
is a great day for Taz. This is a great day for
Adrian College. This is the first experience I
have had with a player being invited to an NFL
camp. He has worked very, very hard for it. He
has done everything he possibly could have to
put himself in this position.”
Adrian
College defensive coordinator Aaron Klotz also
spoke of Wallace’s upcoming chance in the
National Football League.
“I
am thrilled that this day has come. All he has
ever asked for is an opportunity, but Taz has
earned this chance by working tirelessly and committing
himself without exception. He has now earned a
chance that very few people ever have.”
After
concluding his playing career at Adrian College,
Wallace further made a name for himself with the
professional football world by playing in the
East Coast Bowl and being one of the first Division
III players to be invited to play in the Magnolia
Classic.
He
later participated in the University of Michigan
Pro Day in late March, posting impressive times
and performances among the Wolverine NFL-hopefuls.
Wallace
ended his career at Adrian as a three-time team
captain, a three-time All-American and totaled
429 career tackles.
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