Delaware's Devlin has some motivation

BALTIMORE - Delaware quarterback Pat Devlin is known to be Mr. Politically Correct.

But on Wednesday, he gave a glimpse of his true feelings.

At the Colonial Athletic Association media day in Baltimore, the NFL prospect was asked whether not being selected for the preseason all-conference team motivated him.

The honor went to Villanova's rugged signal-caller, Chris Whitney, who was last season's all-conference pick.

"Absolutely. Absolutely. It is definitely a big motivation," said Devlin, who completed 220 of 344 passes for 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns with nine interceptions last season.

Whitney "won a national championship. So I know that he definitely deserves it," Devlin added in reference to the Wildcats' 2009 Football Championship Subdivision title. "I'm happy for him.

"That doesn't change the competition for me. You want to win some games. You want to beat him."

The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder hinted that he'll let this season's performance speak for itself.

"If I do what I need to do to win games, everything will come," he said.

While Devlin may not be getting his league's recognition, he is being noticed elsewhere.

The former Downingtown East High all-American is the only FCS player named to the Golden Arm Award watch list. That prize goes to college football's top senior quarterback.

In addition, the fifth-year senior, who transferred from Penn State in 2009, is on the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, which is presented to the best player in the FCS.

A Phil Steele's preseason second-team FCS all-American, Devlin is listed by NFLDraftScout.com as the third-best senior quarterback prospect for the 2011 NFL draft behind Washington's Jake Locker and Florida State's Christian Ponder.

"At the high level, he's a late second-round grade for some teams," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said of Devlin's draft value. "I've seen anywhere from late [second round] to about the fifth round.

"He's a big, strong kid with a good arm. And he's a smart kid."

For now, the quarterback said he wasn't concerned about getting drafted.

"I'm not trying to listen to that," Devlin said. "If an agent calls me up, I say talk to my parents. They're the ones dealing with all that.

"I just want to focus on this team. I want to focus on trying to win a championship."