Before They Got Caught in the NFL Draft . . .

Look below for old stories about three Philly guys who were selected in the 2013 NFL draft . . .
Washington's Sharrif Floyd (Florida) . . . first round (No. 22) to Minnestota.
Malvern's Ryan Nassib (Syracuse) . . . fourth round (No. 110) to the New York Giants.
Gratz' Earl Watford (James Madison) . . . fourth round (No. 116) to Arizona.

SHARRIF FLOYD, written in 2008 (junior season)

Floyd's punt block is a winner

Nov 24, 2008

By TED SILARY silaryt@phillynews.com

AT 6-4, 300 POUNDS, Sharrif Floyd is not easily worn down.

Physically, that is.

But in the middle of what has become a glorious football season for George Washington High, Floyd's spirit dipped to broken and finally, in a playful manner, he decided to keep his lips zipped.

"I kept asking the coaches when they were going to let me play defense," he said. "They kept saying, 'Next week will be your turn. '

"It kept not happening and I reached the point . . . Didn't make sense to ask anymore. I still kept hoping, though. "

Saturday, in biting weather at Northeast's Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium, Washington captured the first City Title available since 1979, by surprising to even shocking La Salle, 23-14, and Floyd . . . You know what's coming, right?

Yes, the junior stud, who also played guard, was one of the defensive heroes.

Floyd imposed his game-long will as a down lineman, recording three tackles behind the line (two sacks included) for 13 yards and helping to harass passer supreme Drew Loughery into three interceptions and just 12 completions in 33 attempts.

And then, with 3 minutes, 16 seconds remaining, he made The Block Heard 'Round the City Football World, batting Mike Donohoe's punt through the back of the end zone for a safety that made it a two-score game.

Before long, the Eagles were celebrating in passionate fashion and most were yelling, often multiple times, "Nobody thought we could do this! 'Cept us! " Oh, and they might have added a combined, say, 3,000 times, "We shocked the world! "

Was that how Floyd saw it?

"We took the fact people saw us as underdogs into consideration," he said. "If La Salle wanted it, they were going to have to take it. No way we were laying down.

"All we needed was for our coaches and staff and most of the students to be behind us. Those kids who said we'd lose, we blocked them out. "

Of his punt-snuff, Floyd said, "I came close to one before. I just was saying, 'I'm gonna get this. ' I swim-moved the up-back trying to block me, put my arms up and there it was. "

The start was Floyd's second on defense. He finally had been green-lighted in practice leading up to the Public AAAA final vs. Northeast, in which the Eagles earned a 41-34, triple-overtime triumph. His contributions to that one included a sack and other tackles-for-loss.

"The coaches said they wanted me to wait until I was really needed on defense," Floyd said. "I was happy when my number was called.

"On defense you're more hyper, but on offense you still have to be aggressive when you're doing your blocking. I love pass-rushing, and I knew I just had to keep getting in the quarterback's face. "

A crucial moment, as it turned out, occurred before the game when La Salle won the toss. Coach Drew Gordon, like always, chose to receive, placing the usual confidence in his potent offense. Washington coach Ron Cohen, of course, chose to kick with the strong wind behind Will McFillin's back.

By the third play of the second quarter, the Eagles owned a 21-7 lead thanks to runs of 22 and 6 yards by Kyle Glenn that sandwiched a 48-yard pass from Aaron Wilmer to Omar Hunter. Interceptions by Jamal Williams and Nate Smith set up two of those scores.

"I didn't expect the aftermath [of the take-the-ball decision]," Gordon said.

"They thought they'd move it down our throats," Cohen said.

The game's only other TD came on an 81-yard pass from Loughery to Sam Feleccia with 1:22 left in the third quarter.

Laughs were numerous after McFillin's popup punt hit lineman James Luckey smack on the top of his helmet with 2:40 left, but a return to business was quickly needed. Loughery was going to try to move his team quickly downfield.

Didn't happen. The Explorers had to settle for little-by-little and the thrust ended with Lorenzo Adams' leaping pick at 26.4.

Loughery, who was sacked six times for 36 yards, finished his season with 2,628 passing yards, just 19 short of the city record set by Brett Gordon, Drew's son and offensive coordinator, for La Salle in 1997. That season, Drew was Joe Colistra's OC.

Meanwhile, Floyd is one who got away . . . from Frankford.

He lives near Cheltenham and Tackawanna and attended one of Frankford's prime feeders, Harding Middle School. He said he was talked into attending Washington by a Harding gym teacher who at that time was a Washington assistant (but now works with Northeast).

In late December, Floyd will head for San Antonio to participate in a underclass combine connected with the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Funds for travel/lodging are being raised each Wednesday at Washington, when Floyd bakes brownies that are sold to students. Gooooood brownies, too. Floyd's dad, Anthony, is a chef.

"I don't cook that much," Sharrif said. "But I can make a lot of stuff. My best is fried chicken. "

A national profile. Pretty heady stuff.

"I have to keep it where it's at. Or even kick it higher," he said. "This feels great. I'm looking forward to the trip. I've never been any further than Pittsburgh." *

RYAN NASSIB, written in 2007 (senior season)

Nassib's double duty lifts Malvern Prep

Sep 08, 2007

By TED SILARY silaryt@phillynews.com

The players and coaches met for a postgame celebratory huddle and Ryan Nassib was nowhere to be found.

At least not in a prominent spot. At least not in a standing position.

Look around . . . look around . . . look around . . . oh, there he is, a little bit off to the side and lying flat on his back.

It's not easy playing both ways on a quite-sticky early September evening.

"I'm pretty beat," Nassib finally said, after the powwow ended. "I'm not really hurting. Just having some cramping in my hamstring. "

Nassib, a 6-2, 220-pound senior at Malvern Prep, has made an oral commitment to play quarterback at Syracuse. But the Friars' enrollment is not eye-popping, and most of the better players - yes, even the high-profile quarterback - are required to go both ways.

The occasion last night at Plymouth-Whitemarsh was a showdown not only between two of the city leagues' best programs, Malvern and La Salle, but between two of the best QBs, Nassib and 4,000-yarder John Harrison.

Malvern triumphed, 21-14. But not without throwing an early curveball, courtesy of that sly, ol' fox, coach Gaspare "Gamp" Pellegrini (30 years at Malvern; 41 in all as a head man. )

La Salle's first drive washed out. Malvern then went 68 yards in 11 plays, and Nassib squeezed in from the 1. What an aerial show the rifle-armed Nassib put on during the march downfield! Wait, check that. Ten of the plays were runs.

"We took the approach that nobody would have expected," Nassib said. "We decided to start off with the run. Chris Layne, Neil Willis and James Connelly were gaining yards and more yards. It was working for us, so we stuck with it. That was all coaching. After the running went so well, they had to find ways to stop that. And that opened up our passing. "

Nassib finished 10-for-20 for 132 yards and scored two touchdowns on 1-yard thrusts. Included was the game-winner, with 11:20 remaining. Layne scored the other TD, also on a run.

Defenders were counting Nassib's fillings all evening, and trying to create the need for further dental work. But he stood tall, absorbed the various licks and even logged some successful scrambles.

News flash: Ryan Nassib has feet!

"I'm much better at scrambling," he said. "I'm trying to be known for having dual skills. I've spent a lot of time with a speed coach, Kevin Miller, who works with a lot of Cardinal O'Hara kids, and our own strength coach, Mr. [Joe] Forte. "

Nassib veered off in another verbal direction, showing he wasn't completely satisfied.

"I have to learn when to throw the ball away," he said. "I threw one dumb interception. "

The star QB said he was rather calm entering the game, despite the Nassib-vs.-Harrison overtones, the extra pressure that could have been present, considering his Division I scholarship, and the fact Malvern was playing its opener, while La Salle, the defending Catholic Red champ, owned a 1-0 record.

Harrison went 21-for-28 for 214 yards and one TD apiece, to Ryan Warrender and Connor Hoffman.

"I don't think I have to prove myself to anybody," Nassib said breezily. "I just play my game and do what I've always done, like it was still CYO ball. "

He added with a laugh, "I ain't trying to be Superman. "

"It was a little intimidating to be playing such a quality team in our opener, but we've been together for 3 to 4 years now, and we all have faith in each other. Along with good chemistry." *

And here are comments by Malvern's then-coach, Gamp Pellegrini, in the preview . . .

When some coaches refer to a player as their all-time best at a particular skill, it's hard not to snicker.

All-time? C'mon, buddy. You've only been coaching, say, eight seasons.

When Gaspare "Gamp" Pellegrini makes such a statement, however, there's nothing but reverence. After all, this is his 41st consecutive season as the head coach of a high-school football team and his 30th at Malvern Prep.

His pronouncement: Ryan Nassib , who already has committed to Syracuse, is his all-time best passer.

"I've had quarterbacks who could motor better," Pellegrini said. "But throwingwise? Forget it. This kid's the best. Great arm. He'll throw a 30-yard out and the ball will never be more than 6 feet off the ground.

"The kids catch the ball in self-defense. I always tell them, 'Good thing you got your hands up in time, or you'd be going to the hospital. ' "

EARL WATFORD, written in 2007 (senior season)

Gratz' Watford making up for lost time

Oct 13, 2007

By TED SILARY silaryt@phillynews.com

To watch Earl Watford play football is to marvel.

It's to watch his combination of talent and drive and think to yourself, "This guy has the look of someone who has played this sport for a mighty long time. "

And he has . . . Just not in pads.

Watford is pretty sure he was only 3 years old when he first became involved in mess-around football games, mostly with family members, at assorted playgrounds. His debut with Simon Gratz High? Not until last season.

Watford, a 6-4, 275-pound senior, stars at tackle on both sides of the ball.

"He's going to be fine," coach Erik Zipay said, referring to Watford's college possibilities. "We have great film on him. "

Yesterday's can be added to the collection.

In just three quarters of action, Watford posted a whopping 11 tackles as the Bulldogs roared past Jules Mastbaum Tech, 36-6, in a Public White game at Northeast. Two were sacks and another went for a loss. Better yet, Watford made two of his stops at the sideline.

Yes, the sideline. And not downfield, either. He rag-dolled would-be blockers, sprinted along the line of scrimmage and thumped guys to the artificial surface.

In 2012, maybe we'll hear Ron Jaworski on "Monday Night Football," saying "This Watford guy is an interesting story, Mike. He did not play football until his junior year in high school and now, here he is, drawing a paycheck and looking like he's going to be a longtime force in this league. "

So, what happened? Why did Watford get such a late in-pads start?

As a freshman, he said, he was maybe 50 pounds lighter and 3 inches shorter and decided he wanted to get larger before he took the official plunge. Before his sophomore year, he said, he suffered a summertime leg injury while playing basketball.

"I regret not being out here in ninth and 10th grade," he said. "I'd be more advanced. Even when I first came out last year, I was unsure of myself. Timid, really. It takes a lot to play football. But as time went on, I got confident and now, well, I feel like I dominate. "

He feels correctly.

"Today they were double-teaming and even triple-teaming me. Still couldn't stop me," he said.

He uttered those words in friendly, matter-of-fact fashion, and came off, somehow, as not sounding boastful at all.

Watford is receiving persistent interest from an assortment of Division I-A and I-AA schools. He can listen with eager anticipation, too, because he boasts a B-plus classroom average and has already posted a qualifying SAT score.

"Football gives you the greatest feeling. There's nothing better," he said. "It's entertaining to watch and when you play it, it's gotta be your lifestyle. You have to live it. I knew I loved football from the time I was very little.

"When you make plays, especially after running a long way, it's so exciting. Exhilarating, really! Remember, I'm a lineman, so I don't get to run around that much. I was always fast, though. Even when I was little. "

Meanwhile, this game had more than a little nuttiness.

In the first quarter there were five lost fumbles in a six-play sequence. And this was in beautiful weather, not torrential rain. The recoveries went to Gratz' Muhammad Dudley, Mastbaum's Jamil Thomas, Gratz' Elijah Akbar, Mastbaum's John Turner and Dudley again. On the play that did not produce a lost fumble, Dudley ran for a 10-yard touchdown that was wiped out by holding.

Oh, and five plays later - we're talking 11 snaps total - there was yet another turnover as Mastbaum's Andrew King recovered a fumble.

Wait, we're not done. Four plays later, an against-the-wind Mastbaum punt bounced backward 13 yards to the 1. A motion penalty immediately put the ball on the 6. Hal Chambliss, a former Mastbaum player, ran for a 1-yard score for Gratz on fourth down.

Dudley scored twice on passes from Dominic Marrow while Daveer Fincher ran 9 yards for a score and Akbar posted a defensive tally on a 34-yard fumble return. Rasheen Tookes rushed for Mastbaum's six points.

Watford, who lives near 9th and Erie, intends to explore numerous options in college.

"But I might want to get into broadcasting," he said, smiling.

Who knows? When it comes to gettin' paid, talking might have to follow playing. *