Division I-AA Hofstra University has a tradition of grooming sticky-handed wide receivers for the NFL. It started with former New York Jets star Wayne Chrebet. It was continued by Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints. Now, Devale Ellis of the Detroit Lions is looking to add his own flavor to the Pride tradition.

Below, Colston talks about working harder in high school to ease the transition to college ball, and Ellis recalls that academics were more important than football when he chose a school.

STACK: Would you have done anything differently if you had known how tough college football was?
Marques Colston: If I could go back and do my high school days all over again, I would’ve definitely worked a little harder and tried to recognize the importance of getting in the weight room and just trying to become a better player. It’s where recruiting starts; the rest of your life starts with high school.

STACK: Why did you choose Hofstra?
Devale Ellis: I never played football in high school until my senior year. When I started playing, football wasn’t really my dream, so I was just really looking for a school that had a good business program. I figured I’d get a free education [with my scholarship]. I was blessed to go to high school with a guy that graduated from Hofstra who pointed me in the direction of a school with a good heritage and good football alumni—as far as guys who went on to the NFL—so I got lucky.

Related links:
Divisional Breakdown
Bob Sanders’ Recruiting Experience
2009 Key Recruiting Checklist
2009 Recruiting Terminology
Financial Aid 411
NCAA Initial Eligibility Center
Self Marketing Tips
Communicating With a Coach
Gauging A Coach’s Interest
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Key NCAA Rules & Regs