If you are from the Northeast Region you are probably aware of the Young Gun Dan Di Lella of Albany University. Di Lella has been very impressive over the past few months since getting into Test Performance. Even though Di Lella has been an impressive quarterback, people look over him because he is a small school prospect. What they don’t realize is that Di Lella has the arm strength and intelligence to be a very successful quarterback in the NFL. He already performed at the Fordham pro day and really drew the NFL scouts interest. I talked with one scout of the New York Giants that said, "Di Lella looks just as good if not better than guys like Aaron Corp of Richmond, and Bo Levi Mitchell of Eastern Washington". That is a huge success for Dan, and he will still have a few more events to show off his arm strength. One event will be the Rutgers Pro Day in a couple days and the Super Regional Combine on March 30th and 31st in Detroit, Michigan.
Young Gunz: Dan Di Lella, QB, Albany
Di Lella has an extremely powerful arm and NFL size. He has been training with former Jet/Dolphin Chad Pennington and NY Giants quarterback Scott Brunner who made Joe Flacco into a first-round pick. Brunner believes that Di Lella has a huge upside as he improves his mechanics every day. Several scouts have shown interest over the past couple of weeks.
This past season, Di Lella was voted team MVP, NEC Offensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All –Conference. He was FCS National Player of the week one time and NEC Offensive Player of the Week twice. He broke the Albany record for single season passing yards, touchdown passes, and offensive yards. He also set a school record by throwing five touchdown passes and rushing for one in one game. Di Lella is extremely intelligent, has a tremendous work ethic, and is very coachable.
Awards
-2011, Voted team MVP by players and coaches
-2011 College Sports Madness, NEC Offensive Player of the Year
-2011 First team All-Conference quarterback
-2011 FCS National Player of the Week, one time
-2011 Two-time NEC Offensive Player of the Week
-2011 Two-time College Sports Madness National Player of the Week
-2011 Number 17 rated scoring offense in the country
-2011 FCS Academic All-Star Team
Albany University
-2011 Season passing yards, 2548, Single Season School Record
-2011 Touchdown passes, 25, Single Season School Record
-2011 Total offensive yards, 2859, Single Season School Record
-2011 7 games of over 200 yards passing, Single Season School Record
-2011 6 total touchdowns in one game (5 passing, 1 running) School Record
-2011 5 touchdown passes in one game, School Record
-2011 Total yards in a single game, 383, School Record
Dan was able to take the time out of his busy schedule to give us an interview. So let’s get to know Dan Di Lella a little better.
What was your most memorable moment playing for Somerville High School?
I would probably say my last game my junior year, we were playing Manasquan. They were a team that didn’t allow many yards. It was for the championship, and even though we didn’t win the game, it was the game that really put me on the map. I threw around 380 yards and four touchdowns.
How many teams were recruiting you coming out of Somerville High School?
About 5 or 6 teams, the two big ones were UConn and Syracuse. The others were Duke, Rutgers, North Carolina and Albany. I was looking to go to UConn and told the other schools that I didn’t want to go there, but when I went to make my decision, all the other schools had already recruited a Quarterback. So I felt that Albany was the best choice for me.
What was your most memorable moment in college?
I would have to say winning, the NEC Championship my senior year. That was a huge game for me, nothing like winning a championship. The coaching staff told me that they were going to switch the team to an option team, but they knew I was a pocket passer, but we went into camp and I was able to win the job over. They told me I wasn’t going to play much. So going from being told that you weren’t going to play your senior year to winning the NEC Championship is a great feeling.
If I was a GM of an NFL team, what would you tell me you can bring to my team?
I would say I bring a mental aspect to the table. I understand the game, I understand the defense. I would another thing I can bring is my arm strength, I think I can make all the throws that I need to at the NFL Level. I think with the football IQ and the arm strength it makes you that much more of a good quarterback.
What is the most traumatic thing you have ever experienced, and how did you overcome it?
When I was younger I found out that my mother was diagnosed with a kidney disease. It really made me focus on the important things in life. It tells you how important family is, and I applied that to football as well. I try to make the best of all the situations.
How do you break down film, where do you start, and what do you look for?
First thing I start at is always watch the safeties. They are the keys to the defense. The first thing I do is watch where they are aligned. Then you have to look at the alignments the defenses are in. Then you have to figure out what type of coverage’s and schemes they use for those types of sets. Once you know that, and can make all the throws they ask you to do, you can really begin to shine on offense.
Where have you been told you are projected to be drafted?
I have been told that I am probably a Free Agent. The big school guys might get drafted. Statistically, 8 or 9 guys get drafted at the QB position, so I know I will have an uphill battle, but If I make it into a camp I will fight to earn a spot on the roster.
Growing up, who was your favorite NFL team?
Who was your favorite NFL player?
Favorite Player was John Elway – The Comeback Kid
If you could meet one person in the world dead or alive, who would it be?
John Lennon, Cause who wouldn’t want to meet the lead singer of the Beatles.
What is the first thing you are going to buy with your NFL paycheck?
I think I am going to take all the people in my family and friends that supported me throughout this journey to a very nice and expensive dinner.
In ten years from now, I will be ___________________?
happy and successful, hopefully
I would like to thank Dan for a great interview. Dan dominated the 1A level; but do you think he will he be selected in the draft? Make sure to answer the poll question below.
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