Overlooked prospect given dream Commanders' chance against all odds

The Washington Commanders’ quarterback room is just about the league's best. That didn't stop Adam Peters from giving a surprising chance to a young hopeful deeply connected to the region.

An astonishingly gifted young starter. A perfect veteran backup. Deep depth from a well-traveled veteran and another talented young developmental prospect. However, if Peters has taught us anything in his one year as general manager, it’s that a team never has enough talent. Especially at football's most pivotal position.

You may soon be adding another name alongside Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson, and Sam Hartman. Ijamsville, Maryland native Collin Schlee will be participating in the Commanders’ rookie minicamp in May after accepting an opportunity with the playoff contenders.

Collin Schlee's chances of making the Commanders' roster are remote at best

Schlee’s chances of cracking this roster are minuscule. He doesn’t seem to mind. He has been through this kind of thing before. The chance to keep playing football, especially so close to home, is enough to make him put off whatever other plans he may have for his life and be a part of the Commanders.

The prospect's college journey was a long and winding road. After leading Oakdale High School to an undefeated, state championship season back in 2019, he made stops at Kent State and UCLA before returning to the east coast for a final year at Virginia Tech.

He has learned a lot of playbooks, including Chip Kelly’s with the Bruins. Schlee has seen a lot and brings a level of maturity into the league.

When he was deciding what to do after his one year out west, Schlee said he wasn’t sure he wanted to keep playing football. But his visit with the Hokies presented a chance to come back to familiar surroundings. It rekindled his interest.

Virginia Tech already had a fairly well-established pecking order at quarterback, so the new arrival was fully aware he might not play much on Saturdays. It didn’t deter him.

And when he was pressed into service last November against Syracuse, Schlee responded like the savvy veteran he is.

The Orange ended up winning in overtime, but Schlee ran the offense beautifully, helping the Hokies gain 455 yards and put up 31 points. He accounted for 260 yards passing and running while completing 67 percent of his throws, producing two touchdowns. In his final collegiate game, Schlee scored the Hokies' only touchdown in their loss to Minnesota in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.

That’s the kind of preparation and production Schlee showed at the FCS level. The reality is that this may be his ceiling.

He has a good college arm, but it is far from elite. Schlee is a good runner as well, but the speed and elusiveness that succeeded in college may not be enough to defeat NFL defenders.

When he broke the news, Ben Standig of The Athletic reported that the Commanders intend to let Schlee play a little bit at wide receiver in addition to quarterback during Washington's rookie minicamp. He’s an athlete, and the coaching staff will give him a chance to show that off in May.

When he was at Kent State, Schlee would occasionally line up in two-quarterback sets that allowed him to get out from under center and operate in space. Perhaps the Commanders might be onto something with a slight position switch, although the chances of him lasting through the summer are unlikely.

Schlee probably doesn’t have the arm to be an NFL quarterback. However, he's been a great teammate throughout his college career — always prepared and always willing to help out. He offers some intriguing physical gifts and will bring maturity to the team, whether he is destined to ultimately be a part of it or not.

Watching Schlee play and listening to him talk, he reminds me a lot of Taylor Heinicke, another signal-caller who was too small and had too weak an arm for the NFL. Despite enormous odds, we all know that he did make it into the league.

Schlee will get the chance to do that as well and in his backyard. It’s hard not to root for the guy.

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