Generation Next: Ramses Barden

By JOSH BUCHANAN

Barden Accepts Postseason Invite
For the fourth time in five years, Cal Poly will be represented in the East-West Shrine Game. Mustang senior wide receiver Ramses Barden has accepted an invitation to play in the 84th annual college all-star football event on January 17, 2009, in Houston, Texas. Kickoff will be 1 p.m. PST, and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Barden (6-6, 227, Altadena, CA) has caught 28 passes for 626 yards and seven touchdowns in four games so far for Cal Poly this season. His average of 22.4 yards per catch is third in the nation while his 156.5 receiving yards per game is No. 1.

CFI: What are your current height, weight and workout numbers?

BARDEN: My bench reps max is 18 or 19 reps in 2007. My max squat is probably 405. My vertical is probably 32 1/2 or 33 inches. I imagine after training I could do a 35 or 36.

CFI: What is your favorite route?

BARDEN: My favorite is a traditional post where you break it 12-15 yards and just aim for pylon. We have the triple option so we don’t do that.

CFI: What do you feel are your strengths?

BARDEN: My strengths are that I feel I have the best hands and not saying it to be cocky, but that is my mentality on the field. I feel I use my body well. I understand spacing and positioning on the field. I feel like I have been trained to play the game with great effort…releases off the line of scrimmage and I am strong with the ball after I have it in my hands. I want to fight for extra yards. Great concentration and coachable. I am always eager to learn and I love competing. My attitude on the field is that of a leader.

CFI: Who is the best player you have faced in your career?

BARDEN: I played against Leodis McKelvin of Troy. Not saying he was the best but just thinking of someone I played with NFL talent. I like Dwight Lowery’s ability as far as catching the ball and being patient.

CFI: What is your major and GPA?

BARDEN: Business Administration with concentration in marketing. My GPA is 3.2.

CFI: What are your future goals?

BARDEN: Obviously as much as I can accomplish professionally and I was excited about the attention Dominique Rogers Cromartie got. It showed small school guys can do it. I have considered owning my own business but one thing I want to do is find a way to participate in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. It is a great way to learn and develop friendships and get involved in sports. Because it was a staple in my life I want to be a part of improving it or owning one and it would be my way of giving back. I feel like I received a lot of help so I want to do that.

Photo Credit: Matt Brown Photography

Generation Next: Nathan Brown

By JOSH BUCHANAN - SMALL SCHOOL INSIDER

Nathan Brown threw for 367 yards—including three passes for scores—to lead Central Arkansas to a 38-14 victory Thursday night over Division II Henderson State. Through the first five games, Brown has completed 71 percent of his passes for 1,458 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

CFI: What are your current height, weight and workout numbers?

BROWN: I am 6’1 1/2, pro day weight was 210 but I am sitting at about 214 right now. My forty-time hasn’t been timed since my red-shirt freshman year but I would say it is a 4.8 to mid-4.9 probably. My bench press is 17 reps of 225 and my vertical is about 30 inches last time we tested it.

CFI: What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses?

BROWN: I think that my biggest weakness is in a game when we are down by a couple of touchdowns I try to force some throws that I wouldn’t normally try to throw. I have to learn to be patient and know that I am not going to get all the points back with one throw. I think that my arm strength is well above average. I have been able to make every throw that my coaches have asked me to in college. My best strength is just leadership. I try to do things right on and off the field so I can gain the respect of my teammates. I know with my position comes leadership so I try my hardest to be the best I can be in this area.

CFI: What is your favorite route to throw?

BROWN: I like throwing the 16-yard comeback to an outside receiver.

CFI: Who is the best player you have faced in your career?

BROWN: Probably Peyton Hillis in high school.

CFI: What are your goals for this year?

BROWN: Team goal is winning the Southland Conference and to finish in the top 25 as a team. Personal goals are that I want to make everybody around me better and do what I have to do. As far as numbers, I just want to top what I did last year. I would like to throw for around 3,500 yards and close to 30 touchdowns and keep my interceptions in single digits.

CFI: What are your future goals?

BROWN: If I get the opportunity I would love to pursue football professionally. That is going to be what I push for, to be an NFL football player. If that doesn’t work out, I will fall back on my degree and go back to my high school coaching. That is what I know and what I love. I just want to be a part of it somehow and some way.

Photo Credit: Southland Conference