The Collegian

Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Sports

The New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals.

At first glance, this looks like a long list of random National Football League teams.

But for senior linebacker and captain of the football team Tom Korte, it's a group of potential employers whose representatives have been on campus this fall observing his play.

"He's a good enough player that they're taking a hard look at him," head coach Keith Otterbein said. "Where that will lead, I don't know. The scouts that have been through have really liked him. I bet there have been about 10 teams through this fall."

Korte, the Chargers' middle linebacker, is the leader of Hillsdale's defense and a very real professional prospect. Otterbein said it's no surprise.

"They're interested in him because he's football fast," he said. "His instincts and anticipation are what separate him. He's got a really high football IQ."
Otterbein said the scouts have liked what they've seen - especially in how hard Korte plays.

"He's a playmaker," linebacker Matt Szula, a junior, said. "No matter what, he finds a way to get to the ball and make plays."

Szula said the presence of the scouts at practice have not changed Korte's approach.

"It's just another practice for him," he said. "He doesn't try to go out of his way to do something he wouldn't normally do just because the scouts are there."

"I don't know how seriously they're looking at me," Korte said. "But again, it's not the important thing at the moment. I can't stress that enough. Those guys shouldn't affect my performance. It's very important to stay level and just play - let the game come to me. Nothing more I can do."

Korte is not looking ahead. His current commitment to the Chargers is at the forefront of his mind right now.

"The most important thing to me at the moment is winning on Saturday," he said.

For Korte, self-discipline and a stellar supporting cast have brought him to this point.

"When I came to Hillsdale, I set goals for myself," Korte said. "I wanted to be all-GLIAC sophomore year; I reached that goal. I've always been a firm believer in what you put in the weight room, you'll see on the field. I've also had great coaching and great guys around me that have been cornerstones that have motivated and pushed me."

Korte, who said his first choice would be the Lions, said he believes the other guys on the team think his being scouted is "kind of cool" but understands their obligation to keep him grounded by calling him "superstar."

"It hasn't changed him a bit," Otterbein said. "He's the same guy. He doesn't walk around with a big head."

Making the jump from Division II football to the NFL would be difficult to both judge and accomplish - but it's doable.

"It makes him an underdog," Szula said. "It definitely makes it a lot harder for him coming from a DII school because people will raise questions about the level of competition, but it doesn't make it impossible for him."

Either way, the buzz generated by Korte is a boost for the team.

"I don't remember the last time four pro scouts were here on the same day," Otterbein said. "That was kind of cool. It's neat for our program."

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