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After a bit of a hiatus, we are back looking at SuperDraft Prospects for the Fire. For these next few days, I’m going to try and change things up. I have yet to really, truly profile an offensive player (not counting Harrison Shipp), so I will be fitting a few offensive players in. Additionally, the Fire have one pick in the first round and then will not pick again until the fourth round where they have three (yes, three) picks. In light of this, I am going to also start looking players who might fall a bit further in the draft.
With all that said, I am going to profile a player who fits neither of these two descriptions - leftback Robbie Derschang from the University of Akron.
Basic Info
Name: Robbie Derschang
College: Akron (2 yrs)/SMU (2 yrs)
Height/Weight: 5'11"/164
Position: Left Back
Appearances: 75
Goals/Assists: 11/10
Player Background
Robert Derschang is from Englewood, Colorado. He spent his first two years of college in Dallas at Southern Methodist University before transferring to the University of Akron.
Robbie has played a couple of different positions in college. At SMU, Robbie was utilized mostly as a left winger. After he transferred to Akron, Robbie was bumped from left winger to left back, and eventually played forward a little bit. Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal has an informative piece on Robbie and how he ended up playing forward.
Robbie also had a short stint with the Austin Aztex of the USL PDL earlier this year where he logged 477 minutes over 7 appearances.
Player Film
Here is a highlight reel of Robbie. There is nothing in these highlights to show his defensive prowess, if he has any. Most of the highlights show his skills as an attacking player.
Will The Fire Draft Him?
Yea
Unless he shows really well at the combine, he is not going in the first round. If Robbie is available in the fourth round, the Fire might consider him. Players who naturally play on the left flank are hard to com by, and Robbie has experience at two positions that are hard to find talent for.
Nay
Robbie screams third round pick. The Fire are not going to use their first round pick on Robbie, and he will likely be off the boards by the fourth round.