Former Warrior Wittek hopes for a chance in the NFL
STAR-ADVERTISER / OCT. 2015
Max Wittek has talked with 10 NFL teams after performing well at UH’s pro day last month in California.
STAR-ADVERTISER
Max Wittek
For former University of Hawaii quarterback Max Wittek, the big-picture goal is to have his name appear in this weekend’s small print of NFL transactions.
Wittek is hopeful of earning an invitation to an NFL rookie camp either as a free agent or, in a wishful scenario, as a late-round selection in this week’s draft.
He has had conversations with 10 NFL teams following his impressive performance at UH’s pro day last month in Azusa, Calif. One scout clocked Wittek at 4.74 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He also connected on throws of various distances during field drills.
“I am kind of expecting to go as a free agent,” Wittek said, “but if I get drafted, all the better.”
Wittek is an interesting study because he has the “measurables” — 6 feet 2, 233 pounds, powerful right arm — but not the statistics. Inconsistency and injuries limited him to playing in eight of 13 games in 2015, his first — and only — season of UH eligibility after transferring from USC in August 2014.
“They definitely did their research,” Wittek said of NFL scouts. “When I talked to them, they knew the circumstances and stuff.”
Wittek endured a popped bursa sac in his left knee, conceding, “I had major swelling issues with that all season.” His left knee would be drained at midweek and then again on game day. He missed the second half of the Boise State game because the knee, which already had been drained before the game, ballooned during the intermission.
In the second game of the season, Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa stepped on Wittek’s left foot. “After the game, when all the adrenaline was gone, I was walking into the locker room and I was like, ‘Damn, this really hurts,’” Wittek recalled. “I took my sock off and, sure enough, it was pretty ugly.”
He suffered a broken big toe on his left foot. “They had to drill a hole in my toenail, which was not very fun, to bleed the blood out of there,” Wittek said.
Later in the season, he suffered a torn MCL and cartilage damage behind the patella in his right knee.
But he kept playing without complaint. “I love the sport, I love my teammates, and I love being out here,” Wittek said. College football is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I didn’t want to miss out on it. I’m glad I stuck in there as long as I could.”
He underwent arthroscopic surgery in late November, missing the season finale. Wittek, who trains at EXOS in San Diego, was healthy for pro day.
“That’s the beauty of youth, I guess,” he said. “I was able to take a bunch of time off and really just heal.”
In the combine-like event, he also showed his agility and footwork, disproving the perception that he is strictly a pocket passer.
“I always thought of me as a good athlete who could take off when needed,” Wittek said. “That’s how it’s been my whole career. It was never a surprise to me when I’d break off a pretty decent run.”
Last year, Wittek averaged 4.53 yards on non-sack scrambles.
Last month, Wittek received an envelope from UH.
“It was pretty surreal getting my diploma,” he said. “Working and doing school work for so long, and for it be over, it’s kind of crazy.”
23 responses to “Former Warrior Wittek hopes for a chance in the NFL”
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Best of luck to Wittek. The guy was a competitor who left it all out on the field. Him dealing with Norm Chow seems like a similar situation with Dan Robinson who had to deal with Fred von Appen.
That is a great comparison. Both took horrible beatings but just kept picking themselves up. Good luck Wittek.
Thanks for becoming a Warrior after being a Trojan. I know you will be an NFL QB and with a good O-Line you will be awesome.
Wishing Max Wittek all the luck in the world going forward. He is a true Warrior. Much Thanks from an appreciative fan !!!
Wittek is a tough competitor playing through all that when he could have quit. Seems like all of our QBs get beaten up badly every season, so they better get used to playing with pain if they want to survive the season.
Tough guy!!! Good luck and wish you the best Wittek.
A lot of positive comments, best of luck to him!
Thanks for being a Warrior! Good luck to you at the next level.
Unlikely to be drafted as teams can get guys like this for almost nothing under free agency. Last of “pro sized” QBs physically destroyed under Chow, following Schroeder and Graham. No QB under Chow lasted even half a season unscathed, including Woolsey. Pathetic, predictable play calling that put all the QBs in harm’s way. Let’s not go overboard on giving this guy undeserved accolades – he got beat out at USC by an unproven freshman and the main reason he ended up at UH is because no other team gave him a better chance to start.
Don’t feed the troll.
His name is actually the name of his upstairs neighbor
Arrrgh! You didn’t have to mention the drill in toenail visual! That’s how to start a beautiful morning.
He has the physical attributes that the NFL scouts seem to value but the problem is whether they can develop him further. Jason Campbell, only because of his physical attributes, was a starter at a lot of teams but didn’t make it.
Wish Wittek luck but given the number of injuries he has had, he should give it up and move on from football. If he tries to keep playing he will end up with life long injuries and
it is just not worth it. There is a life after football and he should do what would be smart. He has already accomplished what many were not able to do.
I love it when people tell other people what they should do or not do with their life.
Isn’t that what you do, hypocrite?
Odds are not in his favor, but I hope he gets a tryout somewhere.
He will end up getting a tryout but bad habit was he telegraphed everything.
Go for it Vittek
yup follow your dream
Meanwhile Basketball Coach Ganot can’t give away scholarships. His offer to big man Giga, a 2-3 star recruit just got rejected with Giga signing with Jacksonville. So offers to bigs wind down to just one, Johnson, who has the gall to claim he is the best available JUCO PF, although not ranked and un-rated by the top websites.
Max,
I’m sorry I hated on you as a QB for UH. That was wrong of me but I was just frustrated during the whole Chowball era.
Good luck on your NFL goals!!
wittek in the NFL
are you out of your mind?