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| Ali Marpet wants to make sure he graduates, too. Hobart athletics photo by Ken DeBolt |
Senior Ali Marpet is just like every other student at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He's trying to avoid distractions and find a way to study for his Political Economy final next week. However, while his classmates are trying to hit the books and resist the urge to enjoy the sunshine on the quad, Marpet is fulfilling media obligations for his first job out of college, professional football player.
On Friday, May 1, Marpet made history. In the second round with the 61st overall pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made him the highest Division III student-athlete ever taken in the NFL draft. The native of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, was at home surround by family and friends when he got the call.
"I was just super excited," Marpet said about learning the Buccaneers were going to pick him.
Wabash's Pete Metzelaars was the previous gold standard for Division III, going to Seattle in the third round with the 75th pick. Not only did Tampa make Marpet the highest Division III selection in NFL history, but the Bucs traded up five spots to do it. "I had a great visit with Tampa, but you're never really sure how a team grades you."
The D3football.com and AFCA All-American was a two-time team captain. Marpet and his teammates lost just one regular season game during their four-year career, capturing four consecutive Liberty League championships. In 2012 and 2014, Marpet and the Statesmen advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. The three-year starter at left tackle didn't allow a sack during his senior year. Tampa Bay is expected to move Marpet to guard.
Marpet is the first Division III player drafted since 2012 and the first offensive lineman drafted since 1996. Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith was asked for his thoughts on making the jump from Division III to the NFL.
"I know that doesn't mean an awful lot," Smith said. "You look at what players make it in the league in general. It's not just the guys playing at the top programs. You get them from a lot of places ... That's why the Senior Bowl is good. You bring everybody together and you see how some of the small college players, how they can handle playing against the big boys and Ali did a great job with that."
"We think the sky's the limit on his upside," Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said. "I think he's got a chance to be really, really good as an interior offensive lineman in both areas [run blocking and pass blocking]."
An economics major with a minor in philosophy, Marpet has worked with the dean's office and his professors to complete his course work without making the typical weekly appearances in the classroom. He completed assignments on his own while opening eyes at the Reese's Senior Bowl, turning heads at the NFL Scouting Combine, visiting nearly every NFL team, and working out for scouts.
In less than a week, Marpet will fly to Tampa Bay to begin workouts for the Buccaneers, but first there's the matter of one last final.
"It has been tough [to focus], but I'm going to get it done because I want to graduate."