| Drew Brees had a prolific career at Purdue | | | | proponents by putting together a model college |
| University before eventually becoming a Super | | | | football career that should be the envy of every |
| Bowl champion MVP. Due in large part to Drew | | | | student athlete. The future NFL pro bowler strung |
| Brees only being listed at six feet tall and coming | | | | together an impressive series of records at |
| off of a high school knee injury his choices of | | | | accolades while wearing a Boilermaker uniform. At |
| college scholarship offers were limited before | | | | the time of his departure from school Drew left |
| Purdue wisely gave him a chance to showcase his | | | | the NCAA with numerous Big Ten records for |
| skills in the football centric Big Ten Conference. | | | | such high profile categories as touchdown passes, |
| Unfortunately for a number of NFL franchises | | | | passing yards, and completions (among others). In |
| that passed on Drew Brees the transition from | | | | recognition of his personal and team success |
| high school to college would not be the last time | | | | (earning a trip to the Rose Bowl) Brees received |
| Brees was underestimated in terms of his abilities | | | | consideration for a number of illustrious awards |
| to (1) overcome a lack of size and to (2) bounce | | | | including the Heisman Trophy, Davey O'Brien |
| back from a career threatening injury. | | | | Award, and Maxwell Award - all of which are in |
| Drew Brees has experienced success on the | | | | recognition of outstanding performance. |
| football field at every level that he has competed. | | | | The positive experience Drew Brees had at |
| Growing up in Austin, Texas the Lone Star State | | | | Purdue was not limited to the playing field. In the |
| native compiled an impressive prep resume at | | | | classroom Drew held himself to the same high |
| renowned Westlake High School in the state | | | | standards and level of accountability that he has |
| capital of Austin. During his two seasons as the | | | | always been known for as a football player. In |
| starting quarterback Drew Brees went | | | | addition to earning a degree in Industrial |
| undefeated with 28 wins and no losses. Brees led | | | | Management his combined success in academics |
| the Westlake Chaparrals to a state championship | | | | and athletics garnered Brees the esteemed honor |
| (played in Texas Stadium) his junior year and | | | | of being selected as the Academic All-American |
| looked poised to capture a second straight state | | | | Player of the Year. |
| championship his senior year before tearing his | | | | Upon leaving Purdue University Drew Brees |
| ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament - knee) in the | | | | encountered familiar circumstances in which NFL |
| third round of the state playoffs. | | | | teams were reluctant to invest in a man that did |
| Despite his perfect record in high school doubts | | | | not optimally measure up to where they thought |
| about his size (just under six feet and weighing | | | | he should be on their height and weight charts. |
| less than 200 pounds) and ability to come back | | | | Despite some early bouncing around Brees |
| from a severe knee injury greatly minimized the | | | | eventually found his groove with the San Diego |
| college offers that Drew Brees received. As an | | | | Chargers before a shoulder injury sidelined the |
| academically inclined young man the school | | | | quarterback. The shoulder issue stigma |
| decision came down to being the signal caller at | | | | dramatically dropped the perceived future value |
| the Ivy League school Brown University or | | | | of Drew Brees but once again the undersized |
| moving to West Lafayette, Indiana to join the | | | | player proved his critics wrong by enjoying a |
| Purdue Boilermakers. Recruiters from traditionally | | | | tremendously successful run with the New |
| top tier football powerhouse programs were not | | | | Orleans Saints that culminated with a February, |
| courting Drew... but they should have been. Brees | | | | 2010 Super Bowl win. |
| ultimately chose the more challenging football path | | | | The success Drew Brees was able to transfer |
| between Purdue and Brown by deciding to enroll | | | | from Purdue University to the NFL despite being |
| at Purdue in an effort to lead the Boilermakers to | | | | labeled as too small should serve an both an |
| success in the Big Ten Conference, a feat seldom | | | | inspiration to undersized players and as a wake up |
| accomplished in West Lafayette. | | | | call to recruiters and scouts whose statistical |
| At Purdue Drew Brees exceeded the | | | | analysis fails to properly measure talent and heart. |
| expectations of even his most optimistic | | | | |
