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.”