[HuskerFalcon]

LINCOLN - For the record, Joe Ganz feels slighted.

Click to Enlarge

Joe Ganz likens his situation to being lightly recruited out of high school in 2004. "I understand how I need to use that chip on my shoulder to prove people wrong."
The former Nebraska quarterback said he was unhappy at his lack of an invitation to the NFL Combine last month or a postseason all-star game in January.

Not that Ganz can do anything about it - other than make a statement today.

NFL scouts and decision-makers arrive in Lincoln this afternoon for the Huskers' annual pro day. Former Huskers and a few other invitees will audition at the Hawks Center as pro organizations continue to collect data for the April 25 and 26 draft.

"I feel slighted because I saw some of the guys who went (to the combine)," Ganz said this week. "I feel I'm a better player than some of them. You just scratch your head."

Ganz isn't offering names, but he refers specifically to the lesser-known quarterbacks among 21 invited to the Indianapolis combine. Many posted numbers in 2008 that hardly compare to Ganz's 3,568 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.

He completed 67.9 percent of his 420 attempts with 11 interceptions in leading Nebraska to a 9-4 finish and earned MVP honors in the Huskers' 26-21 Gator Bowl win over Clemson.

Six former NU players attended the combine. They'll be in Lincoln today, too, but only to give NFL clubs a second look.

For Ganz, this is the big moment.

"You can get a little nervous thinking about it that way, so I try not to," Ganz said. "I don't want to psyche myself out. I want to rely on everything I've done since the season ended, be confident, go out there and let it loose."

Ganz said he "half-expected" to get overlooked because of perceived physical limitations.

Listed by Nebraska at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, he'll be weighed and measured today. Clearly, Ganz is not the ideal size for an NFL quarterback, though many like him have succeeded. Similarly built Drew Brees threw for 5,069 yards last season to lead the NFL.

Ganz said he also feels the need to display his arm strength.

"Obviously, I can't throw it 60 yards on one knee," he said, "but you don't play football on one knee. I didn't have any trouble making the throws that were asked of me in the Nebraska offense."

He has worked regularly since mid-January under the direction of NU strength coach James Dobson with receivers Nate Swift and Todd Peterson. Swift, who attended the combine, and Peterson will be in attendance today.

Ganz earned his degree from Nebraska in December. He's taking one graduate class this semester and living like a full-time football trainee.

He's given little thought, he said, to what he'll do if pro football doesn't work. Ganz has previously discussed coaching as an option.

For now, he describes today as a "big opportunity."

He said he hopes that his play as a senior made an impression. In some ways, it's much like the situation he faced in 2004 as a high school senior.

Ganz was unheralded out of Palos Heights, Ill., accepting a late offer from an NU staff in transition after the hiring of former coach Bill Callahan.

"I understand how to go about every day, how I need to use that chip on my shoulder to prove people wrong," Ganz said. "It's familiar territory for me. I'll use all my old tricks."


• Contact the writer: 402-473-9587, mitch.sherman@owh.com

[@venue]

pretty disappointing that he didnt get an invite to the combine.

[tattooedhusker]

Hopefully someone has the balls to take a chance on him.

[HuskerFalcon]

yeah, ganz is definitely PO'd

[caveman99]

Well he took a good step forward in proving them wrong with a strong performance. Hopefully it continues to pan out.