The 2020 NFL Draft consisted of 255 selections through seven rounds. Naperville (Ill.) native Broc Rutter did not hear his name called during the draft but his NFL dream remains alive. Shortly after the seventh round concluded Rutter signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers.
Rutter is coming off a senior season where he led North Central College to the Division-III National Championship. He heads to San Francisco as the Division-III passing yards leader and the 2020 Gagliardi Award winner. The Gagliardi is presented each year to the top player in Division-III.
Mike Niklos, Head Strength and Performance coach at Acceleration Sports Performance has been working with Rutter since he was battling for the starting spot at Neuqua Valley High School. Niklos is confident that Rutter will make the most of his opportunity with the 49ers. What separates Rutter from the other quarterback he’s worked with?
“I think his leadership qualities and how he has an uncanny ability to allow people to feed off of his confidence and it brings out the best in them. We’ve had the privilege to grow with Broc throughout his career and see him in different facet of life,” said Niklos.
Even though Rutter is attempting to making the transition from D-III to the NFL he has been working with professional pass catchers for years. He has been training and throwing to NFL tight ends Cameron Brate, and James O’Shaughnessy since he was a freshman in college.
“They can tell him extreme specifics on how they want ball placement within the context of the situation placed upon them. Broc is not only able to process it on site, but able to remember it every time they go out there. It is like he has a recording and can memorize exactly how everyone wants to practice and can give hem exactly what they want/need.”
“To this day, my pro guys will always choose to train with Broc because of how well he meshes with everyone.”
Broc Rutter taking the snap from Nicky Allegretti (Kansas City Chiefs) and throwing to James O'Shaughnessy (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Coming out of high school he was unranked before signing with Indiana State and eventually playing at North Central. Several other quarterbacks in Illinois were ranked ahead of him but none of them had a college similar to his and are no longer playing football.
“I don’t think anyone that knows Broc is surprised at the success he has had. He has shown since day one that he will strive to get better while enjoying what he does.”
Next up for Rutter is beginning to dive into the San Francisco playbook so that he can entrench himself in the backup quarterback competition once camp begins.