By Bobby Narang
Broc Rutter is set to prove any doubters wrong, again.
After a dominating performance in leading North Central College, based in Naperville, to the Division III national championship last Fall, Rutter signed a free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers last week.
“They are such a great organization; their offensive system fits my game really well,” Rutter said. “Learning from their coaches is huge for me, and my growth as a quarterback. It’s really cool because not many guys get the opportunity. I’m aware and lucky and prepared to make most of this (situation). It’s been a super cool journey. I’ve been trying to soak it in, but it’s still so surreal and happened so quickly. I need to take time to recap everything and think about all we accomplished, not only me, but our team, school, and everything.”
The 6-2 and 204-pound Rutter, a Naperville resident, started all 15 games for the Cardinals last season. He impressed National Football League (NFL) scouts with his accuracy and leadership, and by guiding the small Division III school to a 14-1 record. In the process, Rutter passed for 4,591 yards and 56 touchdowns.
The Neuqua Valley High School graduate completed a whopping 71.0% of his passes, 309-for-435, to set single-season school records in completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdowns. He finished his career with D-III national records for career passing yards, 14,265, and most career games with at least 200 yards passing yards, 44.
As part of his signing, Rutter received a $279 undrafted rookie bonus. Rutter doesn’t have to look very far on the 49ers’ roster to find another quarterback who endured a somewhat similar overlooked start to his NFL career. San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, might be among the top players in the league these days after leading his team to the Super Bowl, but the Eastern Illinois University product received very little fanfare when he was drafted by the New England Patriots.
The 23-year-old Rutter said he’s excited about the challenge of trying to land an NFL roster spot.
“This is what I’ve dreamed of my whole life,” he said. “Growing up, I always told my parents I want to play in the NFL. Obviously going to a Division III school, that’s not very realistic, quite frankly. I’m just so grateful that they looked past the school I went to, the level I played at, and just looked at me as a football player and a person. I couldn’t be more grateful for them for giving me the opportunity, and I truly feel like I belong.
“It’s going to be super hard because I’m so excited to get there and get out there and get to work, quite honestly. But you’ve just got to take it one day at a time and make sure you’re really prepared, so when that moment comes, you’re 100 percent in, you’re bought in, and really, can impress them and be ready to go.”