JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Recent media buzz generated around the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise in the National Football League has been centered around former Eckerd College men's basketball standout and current professional
Lance Kearse.
After trying out for the Jacksonville organization, he impressed brass in the front office enough for a minicamp invite at the tight end position.
The local and national media have been captivated by Kearse's story and athleticism in the past week, especially with basketball-to-football position precedents set by New Orleans' Jimmy Graham, San Diego's Antonio Gates and Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez.
Kearse just finished his first professional hoops season overseas in northern Spain with Lan Mobel Iraurgi Saski Baloia, averaging 12.6 points per game and 5.8 rebounds.
UPDATE (6/19): Kearse completed the four-day minicamp with the Jaguars. He was not invited to training camp, but the dream continues as covered extensively by the
Fort Myers News-Press:
Fort Myers grad Kearse not giving up on NFL dream
Additional media coverage regarding Kearse can be found by clicking the links below:
BigCatCountry.com: Jaguars give basketball player Lance Kearse tryout at TE
Florida Times-Union: Jaguars Notebook: Lance Kearse trying football for first time since childhood
ESPN (via Associated Press): Kearse gets shot with Jags
Jaguars.com: Minicamp report: Athletic Kearse faces steep learning curve
TheBigLead.com: Jevon Kearse's Cousin Lance Kearse Hasn't Played Football Since He Was 14, So the Jaguars Invited Him to Minicamp
The following article was published last Wednesday in the
Fort Myers News-Press:
Should Lance Kearse make the Jacksonville Jaguars, he will have gone from preps to the pros.
Six years after graduating from the Fort Myers Green Wave basketball program and 10 years after playing his last down of football as a 14-year-old freshman, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Kearse is throwing himself at the NFL, having never played college football.
The Jacksonville Jaguars worked out Kearse last Thursday and then invited him to the team's four-day minicamp that began Tuesday.
"I'm starting from ground zero," said Kearse, who is the cousin of retired NFL defensive end Jevon Kearse and landed the tryout with the help of retired NFL running back Earnest Graham. They played high school football and basketball, respectively, at North Fort Myers and Mariner high schools.
"I'm starting from rock bottom," said Kearse, 24. "It's tough. I don't know anything. It's a little frustrating."
Kearse has this week to fight for a spot on the 90-man, training camp roster.
"Lance Kearse, the basketball player? Wow," said Fort Myers football coach Sam Sirianni Jr., when informed of the development Tuesday.
Kearse, the News-Press All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2006-07 and an All-State first-team member as a junior in 2006, played basketball at Virginia Commonwealth University. He struggled there and later learned he had sickle cell traits, which caused fatigue but which he later learned to control.
After transferring to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Kearse finished his college basketball career in 2012 as the 17th-leading scorer in program history with 971 points, averaging 12.1 points per game. He also ranked fifth in free throws attempted and third in free throws made, converting 157-of-199.
His trips to the line exemplified the physical style of play he will need to succeed in the NFL.
"I've always been very tough, very physical and very athletic, so in the back of my mind, I always thought I could play football," Kearse said. "If I want to play a sport, I want to play at the highest level. I know I'm not going to get that chance at the NBA. So I thought, why not try the NFL?"
Kearse spent last winter playing professional basketball in northern Spain.
"It was OK," he said of the experience. "The basketball over there is different from over here. I had a good time playing, but I wanted to be closer to home. I came back and started training and everything."
About a month ago, Kearse began working out with personal trainer Ledondrick Rowe, who was an assistant coach last season at Immokalee High.
Kearse then reached out to Graham, hoping the long-time family friend could connect him with an NFL team.
Graham watched Kearse work out and was committed to helping him. Graham called Ran Carthon, a teammate while with the University of Florida and an NFL scout, first with the Atlanta Falcons and now as the director of pro personnel with the St. Louis Rams.
Carthon referred Kearse to the Jaguars, and Jacksonville general manager David Caldwell liked Kearse enough to give him a second look this week.
Graham noted San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham as players who had very limited football experience before excelling in the NFL.
"Even when I watched him throw the ball, I felt like he could play quarterback if he wanted to," Graham said of Kearse. "He's a very natural athlete. I would consider him a better athlete than most guys I came across on a football field. It's just a matter of how fast he can pick his game up to impress the Jaguars."
The Jaguars have seven experienced tight ends on the roster, and most NFL teams carry no more than three-to-four during the regular season. The odds will be long for Kearse to make the team, but Sirianni Jr. said he would not be surprised, either.
"It's been done before," Sirianni Jr. said. "It seems strange, but the way I see it is the NFL is looking for the best athlete. He's a good enough natural athlete that the NFL is giving him a shot. It's not that far-fetched. It doesn't surprise me from just an athletic standpoint that someone is giving him a shot. I wish him the best.
"It's going to be an uphill battle for him just because he hasn't played that much. But the measurables are there."
Kearse played as a freshman and contemplated playing again as a senior but quit after less than a week of practice.
"At that time, I was more focused on basketball," Kearse said. "At that time, basketball was the only thing for me. I was ranked in the state. I was one of the best players in the state.
"It was nothing against playing for Sam or anything like that. But I don't second guess anything. I do what I do, and at the end of the day, I'm happy with my decisions. Right now, I'm just giving it my all."
