Andy Schantz has a 6 foot 1 inch, 235-pound frame. He had 260 tackles in his four-year college career. And he undoubtedly has the respect of every single Big Sky Conference head coach after his play the past two seasons.
All these attributes make him an appealing linebacker in the eyes of more than a handful of NFL teams. But is one other little detail that will make him that much more alluring when players are selected in this weekend’s NFL Draft.
Schantz has two years playing under the tutelage of former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville here at Portland State.
“I would not be in this situation without Coach Glanville and every person on that staff,” Schantz said of his former Vikings coaches. “I was just honored to play under him and be tutored by him.”
Projected as a late-round selection—most likely falling in the seventh round—Schantz is optimistic that he will be satisfied at the conclusion of the draft’s second, and final, day. And he believes he owes Glanville for this rather bright prospect.
Glanville and Schantz enjoyed a special relationship during his two years at Portland State. Often times the pair would talk shop in the head coach’s office for hours and Schantz always held Glanville in especially high regard.
“I probably pray every night,” Schantz explained with a hint of sentimentality, “and Coach Glanville is in my prayer every time.”
Outside of acting like a mentor, Schantz said the greatest lesson Glanville taught him was how to conduct himself on the field.
“He taught me how to be a pro before I got there,” Schantz said. “He taught me how to practice, how to pick things up.”
Over the past week, Glanville said he has fielded about eight calls from NFL team representatives inquiring about the former prized Portland State linebacker and teammate Reggie Jones, an athletic cornerback who finished his senior year with four interceptions and 38 tackles.
In Glanville’s mind both players have a solid chance of being drafted, and if that fails to happen he does not doubt that either would have an issue competing to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent.
“I know one thing, they’ll both get an opportunity,” Glanville said. “They’ll both have a chance to do something.”
Passionate is the first word that comes to mind when Glanville thinks about how and why Schantz is a couple days away from living out his lifelong dream of being selected in the NFL Draft.
“He doesn’t even like football, he loves football,” Glanville said. “And loving football might not even be enough.”
Aside from the passion Schantz demonstrates practically whenever he slips on a uniform and helmet, Glanville said he has been raving to NFL team representatives how the linebacker is intelligent and completely accustomed to calling defensive signals.
Schantz had been working out with former Portland State linebacker Jordan Senn, who made the Indianapolis Colts’ roster as an undrafted free agent last year, before heading back to his hometown of Santa Clarita, Calif.
With Senn at his side and providing tips along the way, Schantz said he has felt more comfortable as he has worked out and attempted to stay in shape while he waits to learn his fate on draft day.
“I’m blessed to have someone who has been through the process,” Schantz said. “He’s been a phenomenal help.”
As the draft quickly approaches, Schantz said he feels pretty satisfied with how much interest teams have shown thus far. Already this week teams have contacted him about 10 times to verify logistical information—like his phone number—which he deems a positive sign.
When it comes to a draft day celebration, Schantz is going to keep the festivities rather low key. He plans to watch the draft with a few family members, including his mother, godfather and siblings at their home in Santa Clarita.
And until the words, “Andy Schantz from Portland State” come from the mouth of a high-ranking NFL official, the passionate, rugged linebacker from the South Park Blocks will remain hopeful and confident.
“I like my odds. I like my chances.”