QB Mike Bercovici has ‘head down’ as he transitions from ASU to Chargers
May 5, 2016, 5:24 PM | Updated: May 6, 2016, 11:47 am
Arizona State quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) looks to pass against West Virginia during the first half of the Cactus Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Former Arizona State quarterback Mike Bercovici didn’t expect to be selected in the first two days of the NFL Draft, didn’t wince when he wasn’t picked and remains focused on chasing a pro career as he prepares to join the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
“My head is down and I’m focused on making this football team,” Bercovici told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Thursday.
“Obviously, I was shooting for the stars,” the quarterback added. “The draft is something I’ve been watching since I was a little kid. To say I wanted to get drafted was an understatement.”
Nonetheless, Bercovici will begin his pro journey Monday when he receives the Chargers’ playbook — he expects it could contain around 60 formations compared to the 15 the quarterback needed to grasp at ASU. He has no plans of thinking about what will come should he fail to make the San Diego regular season roster.
Right now, only the goal of playing in the NFL matters.
Bercovici, however, can discuss the past. He took Burns and Gambo through his experience of waiting out the draft.
As the clock ticked Saturday during the final three rounds, Bercovici didn’t panic. He expected to become a sixth- or seventh-round choice based on what he’d heard from NFL people, but the ASU product knew falling into undrafted territory wasn’t the end of the world.
Bercovici’s phone began ringing at the beginning of the seventh round and continued to do so well after the draft wrapped.
The Chargers had been in contact with him since March, and Bercovici had developed a comfort with them.
“Being able to pick and do your research and find the right spot is just as good as being a late-round draft pick,” Bercovici said. “I was really excited when the team I wanted to go to called late in the draft. Obviously, there’s money up front. But it isn’t really about the money, it’s about finding a relationship with a quarterback coach, an offensive coordinator that your think you’ll enjoy working with this summer and hopefully an entire season.”
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