[tps_title]Archbishop Carroll Patriots [/tps_title]
Carroll leaders, from left, Ryan Graham, Anthony Warnick and Dahmir Ruffin.
Scouting student Connor sees signs of improvement from his players
RADNOR >> If there’s a coaching equivalent to the term “gym rat,” that moniker would belong to Dan Connor.
Archbishop Carroll’s second-year coach gained valuable experience this month, when he spent more than a week with the Tennessee Titans’ scouting department in the NFL’s Nunn-Wooten Scouting Fellowship. The program offers former NFL players exposure to front-office operations from the league’s college- and pro-scouting departments. 
His days involved consuming game film of players from around the league, before watching the Titans’ position groups on the field during practice. He’d then write reports on what he saw, sit in on meetings with coaches, and break down players by position within the Titan’s AFC South Division.
“They were long, 12-hour days,” said Connor, the Strath Haven legend who spent six years in the league, “but it gave me a unique perspective about basing my opinions on what I saw. It taught me to look at a player and evaluate him as an individual athlete, and not as a guy who will fit into a specific scheme. In the NFL, it’s about giving yourself the best chance to put the 11 best guys on the field together.”
There’s not much that can be translated from that level to the Philadelphia Catholic League, Connor said. And that’s OK.
“Look, we have 65 kids and 30 incoming freshmen that are giving me hope that we’re pointed in the right direction for the future of this program,” he said.
Among those guys is Dahmir Ruffin. Archbishop Carroll, looking to improve from its 1-9 showing last fall, will lean upon Ruffin. A senior, he earned All-Catholic honors at defensive back in a season that feature five interceptions. He’s drawn interest from a handful of college programs, and the attention of his teammates.
“Yeah, it’s a point of pride thing to say you’re All-Catholic,” said Ruffin, 5-9, 165. “I still have to focus on my role in practice and not be a big shot, because I know our guys are looking to me to be a big-time contributor and a leader.”
On offense, Ruffin will switch from outside receiver to the slot position. He said his size is more suited for that role, anyway. And, Connor said, the move will free up Ruffin for a few touches out of the backfield, too. Most of the carries, however, will be taken by senior fullback/linebacker Ryan Graham. Though he rushed only seven times as a junior, he said he’s prepared for the heavier workload.
“I just have to get a little more mentally prepared,” said Graham, 5-8, 175. “I like how Coach Connor trusts me and I trust the coaching staff. I’m going to do my best to run through people and run people over. I like contact.”
Connor pointed to Ruffin, Graham, and fellow senior Anthony Warnick as leaders of his team, which skews a bit younger than most teams.
“Having Coach Connor will work in our favor,” said Warnick, a two-way lineman. “It’s a gift to have a guy who was scouting the NFL one week and comes back to coach your high school team the next week.”
By Christopher A. Vito; For Pa Prep Live
Who has the best student section?
[totalpoll id=”61526″]
