The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
D Day is finally here for Mentor’s Trubisky
Quarterback from Mentor is expected to be picked early — possibly No. 1 by the Browns
It seemed unthinkable last summer.
Now, it’s a possibility. Perhaps a strong one, depending on the validity of reports.
Not only could Mitchell Trubisky become a Brown on April 27, the first day of the NFL Draft, the Mentor graduate and North Carolina quarterback might be the No. 1 overall pick.
“If that’s what’s about to happen, I think it’s meant to be,” Trubisky told The News-Herald after declaring for the draft about being drafted by Cleveland.
Reports are swirling the Browns are wavering between Trubisky and Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett for the No. 1 pick.
It’s no secret the Browns have been searching for a franchise QB since their return in 1999. Longsuffering fans haven’t seen that type of signal-caller in Cleveland since the 1980s with Bernie Kosar, who hailed from the Youngstown area.
Trubisky grew up closer to Cleveland than Kosar, and despite being born in August 1994 — the last season the Browns won a playoff game — Trubisky knows all about the drought surrounding pro football in Cleveland.
“I know it’s been a long time, and I know the fans are dying to get that back,” Trubisky said of the Kosar era. “My parents told me about that. I know the fans need that back.”
There are other ways for the Browns to land Trubisky, if he’s their target at QB. They could hope he falls to No. 12 overall, Cleveland’s other first-round pick.
Or the Browns could trade
up from that spot to, say, a top 5 position.
Either way, it appears Trubisky is on the Browns’ radar early in this draft.
In August, that seemed unlikely, only because Trubisky had yet to start a college football game.
He wasn’t named the starter for the 2017 season until after the Tar Heels’ spring game in April 2016.
A record-setting redshirt junior season put Trubisky on the national scene. There was even a bitofHeismanbuzzsurrounding Trubisky. In 13 games, he threw for 3,748 yards with 30 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Stats aren’t the only factor that’s elevated Trubisky from a national unknown to potentially the No. 1 overall draft pick.
His high school coach Steve Trivisonno said Trubisky (6foot-2,
210 pounds) has always had the makeup for playing on Sundays since his bust-out junior season at Mentor.
“I always knew he was the perfect NFL-type quarterback,” said Trivisonno. “He’s got the size; he’s got the arm. He’s got incredible accuracy, and always has since the time he was here. Then you add his athletic ability to it.
“But he’s the great passer, and that’s a rarity. You’ve got a lot of guys who run around well, but don’t throw very good. You can’t win in the NFL with that. You’ve got to have that guy who can throw the ball, and he’s that. Plus, he’s the perfect kid. He’s the face of the franchise.”
As the draft approaches, anticipation for the No. 1 overall pick is at an all-time high, especially in the city of Mentor.
If Trubisky is the named
called by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell with the No. 1 overall pick, expect “tears of joy,” as Trubisky’s great friend and ex-Mentor teammate Conner Krizancic said.
Krizancic’s father, Bob — Mentor’s boys basketball coach — has long been a fan of Trubisky, who played on the Cardinals’ varsity. Krizancic won’t be surprised if Trubisky is the first pick. “He has all the physical talent and all the intangibles,” he said.
Trivisonno and his wife are among a Trubisky guest list of 25 who will be in attendance at the draft in Philadelphia.
His reaction should Trubisky go No. 1 overall to the Browns:
“I think that would be awesome,” he said. “I am happy to see him live out his dream. I am excited to follow wherever he goes. Can’t wait to find out.”