| Player Bio |
 |
|
| Craig Nall |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
Packers Select QB Craig Nall With 5th Round Pick (164 Overall)
posted 4/21/02
CRAIG NALL
Quarterback
Northwestern (La.) State University
6'3" - 227 lbs.
Tall, poised signal-caller who spent his first four college seasons (including redshirt year) at Louisiana State before transferring to Northwestern (La.) State for 2001 campaign...Intelligent and witty, owns reputation for reading defenses well, and several intangibles, including great awareness...One of the more athletic quarterbacks in country, threw javelin at both LSU and NSU, finishing second in Southland Conference last spring...Versatile team player, also volunteered to change positions, shifting to receiver at LSU in 1999, when injuries depleted position...Impressed with his arm strength and height, college coaches rated him the best quarterback from Louisiana out of high school...Turned down Steve Spurrier and Florida to attend LSU.
CAREER NOTES
Transferred from LSU to Northwestern (La.) State in time for 2001 spring practice...Demonstrated poise this past Sept. 22 in an NSU game at Texas Christian; led Demons on two late scoring drives, one to tie the game with 50 seconds left, and another to win it in overtime, earning NCAA Division I-AA Player of the Week...In final collegiate game, at Montana in 2001 NCAA playoffs, passed for 339 yards, in minus-20 wind chill...Teammate of current Packer Rondell Mealey at LSU...Joins Packers' Keith Thibodeaux as one of several current and former NFL players produced by Northwestern (La.) State...Familiar with competition for his job, has emerged in two of three preseason battles (at LSU in 1999, beat out two challengers to start season under center; the odd man out in 2000, Nick Saban's first year in Baton Rouge, he transferred after season to NSU, then beat out the returning starter)...His two starts at LSU came in bookend fashion, the last game in 1998 and the season opener in 1999...As a redshirt freshman at LSU in 1998, backed up Herb Tyler...Resume includes 16 games at LSU (two starts), before breakout senior campaign at NSU (10 games, including playoff).
2001 SEASON
Beat out incumbent Ben Beach for starting job after transferring from LSU in December, 2000...Guided Demons to 8-4 record (their best season in three years), a spot in the national rankings and a berth in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs...Established single-season NSU record with 2,022 yards; also threw 11 touchdowns and only three interceptions, all on deflected passes...The 2001 Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and all-conference selection, was voted captain by teammates and received one of three prestigious Joe Delaney Leadership Awards (offensive MVP).
Southern...Threw for one TD and 346 yards, the second-highest total in school history (Bobby Hebert, 1980).
Henderson State...Left with injury, throwing just 12 passes.
Texas Christian...18-of-35 passing for 326 yards and two TDs...Engineered game tying scoring drive, throwing for TD with 50 seconds left in road contest eventually won in OT by NSU...Effort earned him NCAA Division I-AA Player of the Week honors.
Oklahoma State...Threw season's first interception, and struggled in 24-0 loss (10-of-25, 67 yards).
Sam Houston State...22-of-34 for 268 yards and two TDs.
Elon...Did not play; sprained knee.
Nicholls State...Did not play; sprained knee.
Jacksonville State...In 42-17 win, completed 73.9 percent of passes (17-of-23), averaging 14.7 yards per attempt (338 yards) with three TDs and no interceptions...Game produced incredible 240.4 NCAA passer rating.
Southwest Texas...13-of-22 passing for 178 yards, no TDs and one interception.
McNeese State...21-of-37 for 229 yards, one TD and one interception.
Stephen F. Austin...17-of-26 for 213 yards, one TD and no interceptions; set school record for passing yards on last opportunity (Division I-AA does not recognize postseason games in records).
Montana (NCAA Playoff)...Sparked NSU to 13-0 lead, including 73-yard TD pass on game's second play, and ran for 1-yard TD just before half, but Demons couldn't hold on in 28-19 loss...On NSU's final drive, after controversial call gave Montana fumble recovery in Demons' end zone, Nall guided team on last-gasp drive; final pass was perfect strike into the tight coverage, dropped in end zone...Finished 24-of-46 for 339 yards, one TD and no interceptions in collegiate farewell.
2000 SEASON
LSU's third quarterback behind Josh Booty and Rohan Davey, the junior threw only two passes, both in season opener vs. Western Carolina; in mop-up duty, he was 0-for-2 in Tigers' 58-0 victory...Played in three games, and transferred to NSU in December.
1999 SEASON
Took season's first snap, against San Jose State, outdistancing Booty and Davey in fierce preseason competition; game marked his final start at LSU, as Booty started most of LSU's games in 1999 and 2000...When injuries depleted Tigers' receivers corps, Nall volunteered to shift positions (no receptions), and also saw action on special teams before season's end...All told, played in six games, two at quarterback and four at receiver.
1998 SEASON
The No. 2 quarterback behind Herb Tyler, redshirt freshman played in eight games, and started regular-season finale at Arkansas (15-for-30, 147 yards, 1 interception)...Came off bench and valiantly led LSU on late comeback at Notre Dame, in losing cause.
1997 SEASON
Signed by former LSU coach Gerry DiNardo, Nall redshirted as a true freshman.
TRACK & FIELD
Nationally ranked in the javelin, finished second at 2001 Southland Conference Championships, and 14th in NCAA competition...In 2000 at LSU, finished 16th in the country.
AGILITY TESTS
5.04 in the 40-yard dash...32 1/4-inch arm length...9 5/8-inch hands.
HIGH SCHOOL
Threw for 5,038 yards and 38 TDs at Alexandria (La.) Senior High School...Named to Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, Baton Rouge Advocate Super Dozen '97, and New Orleans Times-Picayune Top 20 Blue Chip List...Made official recruiting visit to University of Florida...Nationally ranked as prep javelin thrower.
PERSONAL
General Studies major...Son of Susie and Malcolm Nall...Father was a linebacker at Nicholls State as a freshman before transferring to Louisiana College...Born Craig Matthew Nall on April 21, 1979...Resides in Alexandria, La.
| PASSING STATISTICS |
| Year | School | ATT | COMP | PCT | YARDS | TD | YD/ATT | YD/CMP | INT | IntPCT | GM/AVG |
| 1998 | LSU | 57 | 28 | 49.1 | 340 | 0 | 6.0 | 12.1 | 2 | 3.5 | 42.5 |
| 1999 | LSU | 20 | 7 | 35.0 | 91 | 0 | 4.6 | 13.0 | 2 | 10.0 | 18.2 |
| 2000 | LSU | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2001 | NSU | 250 | 142 | 56.8 | 2022 | 11 | 8.1 | 14.2 | 3 | 1.2 | 224.7 |
| NCAA Totals | 329 | 177 | 53.8 | 2453 | 11 | 7.5 | 13.9 | 7 | 2.1 | 285.4 |
| LSU Totals | 79 | 35 | 44.3 | 431 | 0 | 5.5 | 12.3 | 4 | 5.1 | 60.7 |
| NSU Totals | 250 | 142 | 56.8 | 2022 | 11 | 8.1 | 14.2 | 3 | 1.2 | 224.7 |
| D-IAA Playoffs | 46 | 24 | 52.2 | 339 | 1 | 7.4 | 14.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 339.0 |
|
|
|
