Rascati to join all-stars in Vegas
Former Dukes QB has chance to showcase his talents
By Whitney Proffit, staff writer
Posted on December 7, 2006

Nov. 25’s playoff loss at Youngstown State marked the end of an era in JMU football.

It was on that night senior quarterback Justin Rascati ended his college football career that included completing more passes, throwing for more touchdowns and winning more games than any other quarterback in Madison history.

Last week, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder was invited to the Las Vegas All-American Classic, a post-season all-star game for seniors with professional football potential. Ninety-six players, who will be divided into East and West teams, will compete in the game, which will be played on Jan. 15 and air on the NFL network.

“This is an opportunity for me to get seen even more by the NFL scouts,” Rascati said. “I’ve got to take advantage of that. I’m going to be surrounded by a bunch of guys that come from big-name schools, but I want to show everyone that the guys from I-AA can play with the big-time guys — we’re just as good as them.”

Along with national recognition, he has also garnered the attention of the national press. Last week, SportsIllustrated.com mentioned Rascati as one of five NFL prospects on the rise.

Said SI’s Tony Pauline of Rascati; “One of the nation’s top small-school quarterback prospects … presently sitting as a late-round selection, he is poised to move into the middle frames with good showings at pre-draft workouts,” Rascati was the only player from Division I-AA mentioned in the article.

To help facilitate the process, Rascati signed with sports agent Rich Rosa of Eastern Athletic Services in Baltimore. Rosa also represents New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.

“I felt comfortable with Rich,” Rascati said. “I’m his only quarterback. He’s with a pretty big agency, and I like what he has to offer.”

So what’s next?

“It’s a dream to play in the NFL,” Rascati said. “These next three to four months are going to be tough, but I’ve just got to keep working hard and focus on my goals.”

Added JMU coach Mickey Matthews, “He’s going to go to some NFL pro camp somewhere. I think the only question is whether he is going to be drafted in one of the late rounds or go as a free agent.”

Rascati leaves for Atlanta Dec. 16 to start workouts and training at Competitive Edge Sports.

“I think going to Atlanta is going to help me concentrate strictly on football,” Rascati said. “That’s all we’re going to do 24 hours a day — eat, sleep and drink football. I’ll be down there with 30 to 40 other athletes in my same situation. It’s going to be exciting meeting new people and competing every day.”

Rascati also is expected to garner an invite to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February. The 2007 NFL Draft will be held April 28 to 29 in New York.

“I just want to work my best these next few months and hopefully get drafted,” Rascati said. “If not, hopefully I’ll get into camp and just make a team; that’s all it’s about. Whether you get drafted or not, you’ve still got to make the roster — you’re not guaranteed anything.”

Added Rosa, “Almost every NFL team has been through to look at him on tape, which is a very good sign.”

Rascati transferred to JMU from Louisville in 2004. In three seasons, he started every game and led JMU to a 29-9 overall record, its first national championship and a playoff berth this year.

He holds five school records including single-season touchdown passes, career touchdown passes, season passing percentage, career pass efficiency rating and career completions. This season he picked up second-team All-Atlantic 10 honors after completing 153 of 231 passes for 2,045 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing 114 times for 518 yards and five scores.

For his career, the Gainesville, Fla., native completed 487 of 728 passes for 5,912 yards and 51 touchdowns. He rushed for 1,119 yards and 20 touchdowns. Also in those three years, he accounted for 7,111 yards of total offense.