Walking Among Tall Trees should be the title of the next NFL Films special about today's NFL wide receivers.  Wide outs keep getting bigger, and the rules get tailored more and more toward making those big guys’ lives easier.  What's an NFL team to do?  For some it means focusing your attention on getting bigger and bigger cornerbacks, disregarding technique and polish for measurables.  It may not be a perfect solution, but it is an understandable one.  What this means is that those cornerbacks who don't stand 6' and taller have to work that much harder to get the attention of NFL scouts and general managers. 

What does that mean for the University of Wisconsin Badgers Scott Starks?  It means business as usual.  The senior corner standing at 5'9" and weighing 175 lbs. has always known the pressure was on him.  Not only has that pressure been from being a key member of the Badger defense since his freshman year, but because Scott Starks knew reaching his ultimate goal of getting to the NFL would also make people forget that he isn't 6'1" and 200 lbs.  Where some guys are physically imposing when standing across from their opponent, Starks takes the mental advantage.  Starks is an experienced player and just as important, a very technically sound player.  He may not have the interception numbers some teams look for, but he's learned that if you are where you need to be, the ball probably isn't coming your way.  That may not show up in the box score, but trust me, people notice.  Equally noticed is Scott’s complete willingness to give up his body to make a play, whether it's in the passing game or against a big body running back, he's going to get it done.

Scott came to Wisconsin as a much heralded prep recruit from Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis. He showed very quickly he was ready for the jump to big-time college football.  Getting 10 starts as a freshman was a testament to his football acumen, as well as his natural athletic ability and potential for growth. That's saying something considering he had some pretty big shoes to fill.  He was following in the footsteps of another Hazelwood East star, Jamar Fletcher,  who went on to the NFL.  Starks handled it like he has everything else – with class and determination.  He knew it would be a challenge, but he's never backed down from anything confronting him, so he wasn't about to start.

At no time did Starks determination and potential show through more than in early 2003, when he lost his starting job to Levonne Rowan.  Starks later said he had stopped having fun and had to discover that aspect again, learning that you have to love to play, if you want to play well.  It didn't take him long to get his act together, get back on the field, and have fun.

Starks went on to start 48 of 51 games during his 4 year career at Wisconsin, as well as being a standout on the track team.  Having watched Scott over the past 4 years, the Purdue game from 2004 stands out as the game that really epitomizes what he brings to the table.  Scott had 9 tackles (8 solo), an interception, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, contributing mightily to a huge win over the Boilermakers.  Anyone who questions that Starks height could be in issue in the NFL should beg, borrow or steal a copy of this game and watch how he works.  Scott has developed not only a great love for football, but he also has that attitude you love to see from an NFL cornerback.

I had a chance to get Scott's point of view about what he needs to do at the next level, as well as let anyone know, who hasn't heard of him yet, why they will soon enough.  It's apparent from his answers that  Scott isn't going to let a little thing like height keep him from achieving his goals.


DraftBoardInsider.com:  You were a very important part of a Wisconsin defense that played great last year.  How would you describe your role on that team last year?

Scott Starks:  My role was to lead by example.  I was not a captain on defense, so I had to find other ways to show leadership.  I guess another one of my roles was to play lock down defense against some of the best receivers.

DBI:  Tell us in your own words, the one thing you think is your greatest strength, and the one thing you need to work on most, for the next level.

SS:  My greatest strength is my competitive nature.  I like to compete.  My weakness is of course my size.  It’s not something that I can really improve on, but I have to play bigger than my stature.

DBI:  How important do you consider your experience as a starter, in a premier conference, in preparing you for the NFL?

SS:  In the Big Ten you face big receivers with good speed every week.  I'm sure the speed in the league is going to be quite different, but I have faced several big receivers already.

DBI:  As a cornerback known for his physical play, please comment on the NFL's emphasis on penalizing contact downfield.

SS:  The rule emphasis is forcing DBs to rely more on hips, technique, and speed.  The game was never made to be fair to DBs, this is why most DBs have the attitude that they have when they are out on that island.

DBI:  Some draft pundits like to put a lot of emphasis on a cornerback's height, and their ability to cover the bigger NFL wide receivers.  Do you see your size as a concern?

SS:  You cannot teach size.  I'm not going to sit hear and say that size is not important in the game of football.  But, I will say that you also cannot teach heart and a competitive nature.

DBI:  How about a little pub for your fellow Badgers?  You guys have a pretty solid group headed to the NFL this year.  Do you guys talk about that at all? 

SS:  We are equally proud of each other.  We've spent a lot of time together the lat 3-5 years.  I wish all of them the best, and I am sure they wish me the best too.

DBI:  I recall from an interview you did, right after signing with Wisconsin, that the workouts were very different and challenging for you. What do you anticipate will be the biggest difference between college football and the NFL?

SS:  As I stated earlier - the speed.  I've talked to some of my friends in the league, and they all express the contrast in speed between the two levels.  As far as the mental aspect, I'm sure the playbook will be huge.  It will be a challenge, but a challenge that I'm excited for.

DBI:  Scott, I get the impression from past interviews you are a man of strong faith, and I completely respect that. Is it safe to assume that you aren't so caught up in who you are drafted by, or in what round, and realize that it's just meant to be?

SS:  I am sure that God will place me in the spot he wants me to be. 

DBI:  OK Scott, you have a shot to tell NFL scouts why they should draft you.  Let's hear it.

SS:  We all know that I am not the biggest guy in the world so I am the total package, minus one aspect – great hips, technique, speed, experience, durability, and a swagger.

It’s worth reiterating that Scott Starks just might be that total package, but mostly because of something he neglected to mention.  In this day and age, among so many NFL players who deserve red flags for character issues, Starks is a model citizen.  As good as he is as a football player; he's a much better person.  More and more teams value the character of the players they select; in that regard, Starks stands out head and shoulders above others.