2007 NFL Draft:
Scott Chandler Charges to San Diego

By Jeremy White, NFLHS.com

Scott Chandler's football path has been followed countless times by countless other players: skinny receiver in high school bulks up and becomes a tight end in college.

But recently, it took a step that few others are able to take: On April 29, he was a fourth-round selection of the San Diego Chargers.

During his career at the University of Iowa, Chandler caught 117 passes for 1,467 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's been described as a skinny version of Shannon Sharpe - a tight end with great hands. His upside is considered huge as he grows into his body. Currently, he carries 270 pounds of weight on his 6-foot-7 frame.

Chandler dives for a first down against the Iowa State Cyclones on September 16, 2006.

He's come a long way from Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas, where he was a 215-pound wide receiver.

"Playing tight end wasn't the plan coming out of high school, but by my sophomore year at Iowa it became pretty evident that I was going to have to move there," Chandler says.

That explains why he is known for his hands. If there's a knock on Chandler's game, it's that he doesn't block as well as an NFL tight end needs to block. But, he's quick to point out, he's working on becoming a complete player in a position that's still new to him.

"As long as I can sink my hips down I can get a good block," he says, explaining how his height is somewhat of a hindrance as a blocker. "That's something I've worked on quite a bit. I'm still progressing there. You should always be looking to progress and improve."

Chandler describes himself as a competitor who enjoys playing the game of football.

"I love to win and contribute to the team," he says.

In high school, he played basketball as well as football. He was a three-year varsity letter winner on the hardwood, but - as is often the case with Texans - football was his real love.

"When the coaches asked me to move to tight end, I was willing to because I knew I'd end up getting more playing time," says Chandler.

Thanks to his height, jumping ability and speed (he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds), Chandler is able to go up and make a lot of catches that other tight ends can't make.

"There are a lot of mismatches that can be made at the tight end position," he says. "If you can find the guy with size and speed, you've got something special because a lot of time if you get the size you want you give up speed. So I think I'm rare in that I have both size and speed at tight end."

His numbers at Iowa back that up. Last year he caught 46 passes for 591 yards and six scores. As a junior, he tallied 47 catches for 552 yards and two touchdowns.

His switch from receiver to tight end taught him something that high school football players can use to improve their own game: "Be willing to put in the work and be patient," he says. "And don't neglect technique. Working on technique is important."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.