Tweet
Bollinger and Sorgi are NFL QBs. Makes you wonder why Barry was so conservative with those guys at QB. I guess having a great running game helped. Not only does Bollinger hold the record at Wisconsin in career wins. In his time in college, only Ken Dorsey at Miami (Fla) won more games as a starting QB.
Old article (before he was drafted in 2003 and made it in the NFL), but interesting nonetheless.
Bollinger hoping to get a chance in the NFL
By Ray Maloney, for the Bismarck Tribune
The road to the National Football League made a stop in Bismarck Monday night. But then again, Bismarck is where the road began for Brooks Bollinger.
Bollinger, a former University of Wisconsin quarterback, was the guest speaker at the annual athletic banquet at the Bismarck Elks Club. His father, Rob, is a former coach at Bismarck State College and the younger Bollinger was born in the Capital City before going on to stardom at Grand Forks Central and then with the Badgers.
"I feel very fortunate being from (North Dakota)," Bollinger said. "I've played with guys from all over the country who played in front of 20,000 people on Friday nights. I wouldn't trade any of my Friday nights for one of those."
Bollinger ended his college career as the winningest quarterback in Wisconsin history and is preparing for next month's NFL draft. His message to the crowd Monday was about his experiences in football and the challenges and rewards that have come as a result.
"I definitely don't have it all figured out yet," said the former Badger. "But I do want to stress that you can achieve anything you want if you are willing to work hard and pay the price."
Bollinger's Wisconsin career is something that caught him by surprise. After redshirting his first year as a Badger, Bollinger became the starter early in his second year -- as a freshman. And what a season.
"It was a fairy tale," he said. "We went 9-0 after my first start. (Ron) Dayne becomes college football's all-time leading rusher and then wins the Heisman. Then we win the Rose Bowl."
Bollinger's first start came at Ohio State. That's something he'll never forget. "It was overwhelming," he explained. "But when you get down to it you are so concerned with what your job is on the field and doing the things that you can control that you put the fans out of your mind."
Bollinger is still the only Big Ten quarterback to wins games at Ohio State and Penn State in the same season since Penn State joined the conference in 1993.
Bollinger is hoping the experience at Wisconsin has made him ready for a shot at the NFL. He has taken part in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and has had private workouts for two other NFL teams.
"I'm looking forward to (the draft)," Bollinger said. "I really don't know what to expect. My mindset is to do the best I can and see what that puts me."
But he likes his chances at being drafted. "I think the fact I am a four-year starter will help," he said. "I think it shows that I can hold my own from a mental standpoint."
Another strength that Bollinger thinks he has that may have been overlooked while at Wisconsin is his arm strength.
"I don't think I've gotten the credit of having a strong arm," he added. "But I think (in workouts) I have shown that I am capable of throwing deep."
Bollinger stands 6-foot-1 and does not think that will make NFL teams shy away come draft day and instead look for a taller signal-caller.
"I've been told that (Jeff) Garcia and (Jake) Plummer are both about the same size," Bollinger said. "They've both had good careers and they're still young. It boils down to the fact that if you can make plays someone will find a home for you."
But Bollinger still goes back to his roots in Bismarck and in the state. "There have been so many coaches and teachers that I've had through the years," he said, "and I have taken so much from all of them."
Old article (before he was drafted in 2003 and made it in the NFL), but interesting nonetheless.
Bollinger hoping to get a chance in the NFL
By Ray Maloney, for the Bismarck Tribune
The road to the National Football League made a stop in Bismarck Monday night. But then again, Bismarck is where the road began for Brooks Bollinger.
Bollinger, a former University of Wisconsin quarterback, was the guest speaker at the annual athletic banquet at the Bismarck Elks Club. His father, Rob, is a former coach at Bismarck State College and the younger Bollinger was born in the Capital City before going on to stardom at Grand Forks Central and then with the Badgers.
"I feel very fortunate being from (North Dakota)," Bollinger said. "I've played with guys from all over the country who played in front of 20,000 people on Friday nights. I wouldn't trade any of my Friday nights for one of those."
Bollinger ended his college career as the winningest quarterback in Wisconsin history and is preparing for next month's NFL draft. His message to the crowd Monday was about his experiences in football and the challenges and rewards that have come as a result.
"I definitely don't have it all figured out yet," said the former Badger. "But I do want to stress that you can achieve anything you want if you are willing to work hard and pay the price."
Bollinger's Wisconsin career is something that caught him by surprise. After redshirting his first year as a Badger, Bollinger became the starter early in his second year -- as a freshman. And what a season.
"It was a fairy tale," he said. "We went 9-0 after my first start. (Ron) Dayne becomes college football's all-time leading rusher and then wins the Heisman. Then we win the Rose Bowl."
Bollinger's first start came at Ohio State. That's something he'll never forget. "It was overwhelming," he explained. "But when you get down to it you are so concerned with what your job is on the field and doing the things that you can control that you put the fans out of your mind."
Bollinger is still the only Big Ten quarterback to wins games at Ohio State and Penn State in the same season since Penn State joined the conference in 1993.
Bollinger is hoping the experience at Wisconsin has made him ready for a shot at the NFL. He has taken part in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and has had private workouts for two other NFL teams.
"I'm looking forward to (the draft)," Bollinger said. "I really don't know what to expect. My mindset is to do the best I can and see what that puts me."
But he likes his chances at being drafted. "I think the fact I am a four-year starter will help," he said. "I think it shows that I can hold my own from a mental standpoint."
Another strength that Bollinger thinks he has that may have been overlooked while at Wisconsin is his arm strength.
"I don't think I've gotten the credit of having a strong arm," he added. "But I think (in workouts) I have shown that I am capable of throwing deep."
Bollinger stands 6-foot-1 and does not think that will make NFL teams shy away come draft day and instead look for a taller signal-caller.
"I've been told that (Jeff) Garcia and (Jake) Plummer are both about the same size," Bollinger said. "They've both had good careers and they're still young. It boils down to the fact that if you can make plays someone will find a home for you."
But Bollinger still goes back to his roots in Bismarck and in the state. "There have been so many coaches and teachers that I've had through the years," he said, "and I have taken so much from all of them."
Comment