Daniel Braverman isn’t sure exactly what he needs to do to earn a little respect.
Maybe it’s his size, at 5-foot-10, 177 pounds. Whatever, Braverman was not even invited to the NFL Scouting Combine this February despite finishing second in the nation last year with 108 receptions (for 1,371 yards).
That followed an 86-catch 2014 season. Those two seasons came after he lost the 2013 season to a torn ACL suffered in a spring practice.
He admitted to playing with a chip on his shoulder to prove he belonged with the best – which he showed against two of the nation’s best.
His 2015 games included 10 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown vs. Ohio State. His career best came against Michigan State with 13 receptions for 109 yards.
That chip appears to still be securely in place. Despite his production, he was not invited to the Scouting Combine this February and it left him “frustrated,” he said, “because I felt like I was left out, that I belonged with all those receivers.”
With the success enjoyed by undersized wideouts like Troy Brown, Julien Edelman, Danny Amendola and Wes Welker, Braverman will do what he has to do, noting that he comes out of Florida football, so big games and competition are hardly intimidating.
NFL
If that’s inside, then I’ll play inside,” Braverman said. “If it’s outside, I’ll play outside. I think I have great route skills and I’m very shifty.”