Upshaw Award Winner Ben Staggs Not "Stagg"-Nant Leading Up To NFL Draft

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more uplifting story in this year’s draft other than that of 2009 Gene Upshaw Award winner Ben Staggs.  In 2005, the top-ranked offensive lineman received no offers from major college programs after being named second team All-Ohio and leading his team to the Division V Regional Final.

Therefore, he chose to attend West Liberty University, a small, yet football-rich school in West Virginia that has utilized the success of players such as Staggs and four other 2009 All-Americans to solidify itself as a top Division II program.

Ben did not let the fact that he was at a smaller school deter him from tirelessly pursuing his excellence on the field. The endless weight training and skill work paid off as he worked his way into an impact role during his freshman season and continued to improve. 

A three-year letter winner, and two-year starter, Ben had modest expectations coming into his senior season.

But by November 2009, those modest expectations turned into realistic NFL dreams. He was named to multiple All-American teams and won the 2009 Gene Upshaw Award for the best lineman, offensive, or defensive, in the nation. He coupled that prestigious award with the Don Hansen’s Football Gazette Offensive Lineman of the Year Award.

Despite all the accolades, Staggs isn’t letting his success get to him.

"You don't just go through college thinking you are going to the NFL," Staggs told The Daily Record in Wooster, Ohio. "I am still applying for law school and looking at jobs, but it was in the back of my mind. If the opportunity would arise, it would be what I want."

And that opportunity may just arise for Staggs. As the recipient of the Gene Upshaw Award, he received an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Game in Orlando against some of the top Division-1 players in the country.

During the week-long activities including practice and the game, Staggs impressed a number of scouts with his footwork and raw talent.

Now, he has joined All-American teammate Derrick Evans at a reputable boutique sports agency and is preparing for the opportunity to lace up his shoes for the NFL.

Ben has been moving up the draft charts as more and more scouts see his athleticism and potential as an offensive tackle. Don’t be surprised if a team snatches him up late in the draft. And if that happens, while the rest of the world goes, “Who?” you’ll have already heard about him.