Indiana University Athletics
Barking Up the Right Tree During Pro Day
4/3/2019 11:12:00 AM | Football
By: Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Did a portion of Tuesday afternoon's Indiana football Pro Day just go to the dogs?
Yep. Which was pretty terrific, actually.
Among the highlights of the day for graduating guard Wes Martin was his 38-rep showing on the 225-pound bench press, which meant that a whole bunch of canines would benefit.
With every bench press Martin hoisted, money was raised for his Brave Breed animal-rescue charity. And Martin's 38 reps, which would have represented the second-most among all players at this year's NFL Combine, amounted to a nice chunk of change. At least $1,300.
"It's through Pledge It – it was 'repping for rescue,' " Martin said of the on-line platform hosting his benefit. "So however many reps I did on bench press, people could pledge toward that. It was awesome. It was a lot of fun, to publicize that and bring attention to the rescue (effort) we started.
"We got a lot of support from a lot of different individuals … I don't know if more people pledged after I got going, but we're well over a grand."
Martin got his charity up and running last summer, obtaining a 501c3 federal tax exemption for nonprofit public charities. He and his fiancée also practiced what they preached.
"We have three that are ours permanently and one that we're fostering right now," Martin said of his own rescued canines. "We've got three Staffordshire Terriers – or Pit Bulls – and one who's like a Lab-Husky mix. She's kind of a mutt. Not sure what she is … we were fostering her, then decided to adopt her. So a 'foster-fail.' "
Martin most certainly didn't fail Tuesday.
And it was also generally a good day for his former IU teammates, too.
The three Hoosier representatives at the 2019 NFL Combine (Feb. 26 through March 4 in Indianapolis) – safety Jonathan Crawford, offensive tackle Brandon Knight and long-snapper Dan Godsil – also participated Tuesday at IU's Mellencamp Pavilion alongside: Martin, offensive tackle Delroy Brooks, running backs Ricky Brookins and Mike Majette, wideouts J-Shun Harris and Luke Timian, defensive end Nile Sykes and linebacker Dameon Willis.
IU center Nick Linder missed Pro Day after having had surgery for a core-muscle injury three weeks ago but, according to his agency, "should be good to go at the time of the NFL Draft (April 25-27 in Nashville) and ready to compete in rookie mini-camp."
While Martin played alongside Linder as a senior, he allowed just two sacks in over 900 snaps. And as a junior, Martin recorded the most snaps without a sack among guards nationally (569).
And the tails of Martin's dogs would doubtless have wagged vociferously as he shined throughout the various set pieces orchestrated Tuesday by National Football League personnel in front of scouts from 28 of the NFL's 32 teams.
After his prodigious bench-pressing, the 6-foot-3, 316-pound Martin uncorked a personal-best 9-foot, 5-inch standing broad-jump (113 total inches).
"That was my best ever, by far," Martin said of his broad jump, though he noted he was a tad short of his best-ever bench press. "A couple of weeks ago I hit 42 (bench press reps). When you get to that many reps, it's all about your timing and breathing-pattern. And my breathing-pattern was just a little bit off. Your body just wears out quicker when that pattern isn't right.
"I wish I'd have hit 42 or over again, but it was good. It just showed (who I am). I think scouts knew I was a strong guy, but this kind of reinforced that and allowed them to see it in-person."
Martin had discussions with the Detroit Lions after his workout concluded and said he has "Top 30" meetings with five NFL clubs lined up (with each franchise empowered to bring in 30 prospects annually for on-site visits heading into the draft).
Crawford, who took home IU's 2018 Anthony Thompson MVP Award from Tuesday night's annual team post-season banquet, has a local Pro Day lined up next week with the Indianapolis Colts and hopes his Tuesday showing, which featured a 33½-inch vertical leap, will help create further interest from clubs.
"I feel like I had to improve my vert(ical, from the Combine), and think I did that," said Crawford, who started all 50 games in which he played during his Hoosier career. "Could've got higher, but it is what it is … and I continue to run fast, and hopefully I did (in the 40-yard dash, where only unofficial hand-held times were immediately available). That's a big thing for me.
"I met with a bunch (of teams) at the Combine but, other than that, no feedback."
Tuesday's best verticals were posted by Harris and Majette, both at 35½, and Harris also put up one of the day's best 40 times, unofficially.
"I want to get the official number, because everybody had a bunch of different numbers (hand-held)," Harris said. "I think I ran pretty decent … Dr. (Matt) Rhea had me averaging (between) :4.41 and 4:39. Coach (David) Ballou had me at a :4.42. So it's somewhere in that range. I wanted to get a :4.2 but, hey, my legs were saying otherwise."
Harris' legs said otherwise more than once in his career. He inspired everybody in and around Indiana's program as he rehabilitated three ACL knee injuries during his Hoosier career and still played in all 12 games as a senior, catching 37 psasses for 325 yards and a pair of TDs, and returning 16 punts (including one for an 86-yard TD against Ball State.)
"I lot of people probably looked at that situation and wrote me off, and to each his own," Harris said of his knee injuries. "But I'm happy to have a strong family, strong friends, and everybody who was encouraging me through this entire process.
"I felt everything went pretty smooth (today). The standards I set for myself, I reached all of them, so I'm more than happy about that. To be able to come out here and perform like I wanted to, that hopefully got a couple guys' attention, a couple of teams' attention, and then we'll see what happens from here."
Timian was IU's receiving leader last fall with 46 catches (giving him 135 career receptions, ranking ninth all-time at the school), making the Earl Campbell-Tyler Rose Award watch list and also vying for the Burlsworth Trophy, bequeathed annually to the nation's outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on.
The Texas native trained in Florida for Pro Day. He found a trainer there who specialized in elevating "underdogs" along the lines of former walk-ons.
"And then the weather and the food, can't beat it," Timian said with a grin. "They have this place called Fresh Kitchen. And, you know, you try to eat healthy when you're training for this. It's kind of like a healthier Chipotle sort of thing. You just get in, get out, and it's all really good, quality food. That was my favorite."
Timian wasn't quite as enamored of his performance Tuesday, overall, but had no regrets.
"I had a little higher expectations than what it showed," he said. "You know, it's tough. You come out here and you get only one shot to do it, while when you're training, you get multiple (chances) – when you'll obviously usually put up better numbers than in just one attempt.
"I think I did some good things, some bad things. I did my best. That's all you can ask for. Mitchell (Paige, who preceded Timian as an IU slot receiver) actually texted me before, and he was, like, 'Just put your best foot forward. And don't have any regrets at the end of the day.' And I don't. I busted my tail when I was down in Tampa. Maybe a couple of numbers could have been better (today), but it's all good."
Godsil already had some great numbers posted before Tuesday began.
Record numbers, actually.
Godsil broke all-time NFL Combine records for long snappers last month by posting a vertical leap of 34½ inches and a standing broad jump of 118 inches (9 feet, 10 inches).
Tuesday, he supplied his usual slew of on-target punt snaps while also working on coming out of the snap in blocking mode.
"I didn't block in college (where snappers are protected from contact by rule)," Godsil said. "In the NFL, you have to snap and block … getting my head up and moving my feet quicker. That was the main focus from the Combine. So that was a big transition. Did a lot of repetition. Go to the Senior Bowl, then the Combine, now Pro Day – it's just the start and we'll see where it goes.
"You have to get your laces perfect every time (for place-kicks). That's all about the revolutions of the ball. At the Combine, I had 50 short (placement) snaps in a row, so it was pretty tiring, and I had to get the laces right every time.
"I have a lot of teams interested in me. I have a workout Thursday with a team … no matter where you go, you're going to have to compete."
IU coach Tom Allen naturally hoped Tuesday helped position some of his graduation players to compete for NFL opportunities.
"It's a huge day," Allen said. "Lot of guys have put in an extremely large amount of work into today. All the extra time. Most of the guys have stayed here to train. A few of them have went to other spots. Most of them stayed here. You just want to see them rewarded for all the hard work.
"They've given so much to our program. They've invested. They've sacrificed and worked extremely hard, made plays for us on game day and took care of business in the classroom, and now they're getting rewarded with an opportunity to have … NFL scouts from (almost) every team will be here and a chance to showcase what they got. We had a few guys that got to go to the Combine to do that. The rest of them here will be here doing that with all the tests. I'm really excited. It's a big day for our program."
And the final day, Harris noted, he'd perform under the official auspices of IU.
"It's bittersweet … but this is always home, for sure," Harris said. "I love everyone in this facility, and I'm just thankful for the opportunity they gave me to come in and represent this prestigious university."
Martin, a team captain for 24 of his 37 career starts at left guard for IU, hopes to represent his school at football's ultimate level – where he could earn the sort of money to, among other things, help rescue a lot of canines.
As Martin grew up in and around West Milton, Ohio, farm country – baling hay, excelling academically, learning how to love dogs and other animals – he dreamed of a day like Tuesday, with actual steps taken toward a possible NFL future.
"Oh, sure," Martin acknowledged. "I think anyone who plays pee-wee football wants to take it as far as they can. And I was definitely one of those kids."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Did a portion of Tuesday afternoon's Indiana football Pro Day just go to the dogs?
Yep. Which was pretty terrific, actually.
Among the highlights of the day for graduating guard Wes Martin was his 38-rep showing on the 225-pound bench press, which meant that a whole bunch of canines would benefit.
With every bench press Martin hoisted, money was raised for his Brave Breed animal-rescue charity. And Martin's 38 reps, which would have represented the second-most among all players at this year's NFL Combine, amounted to a nice chunk of change. At least $1,300.
"It's through Pledge It – it was 'repping for rescue,' " Martin said of the on-line platform hosting his benefit. "So however many reps I did on bench press, people could pledge toward that. It was awesome. It was a lot of fun, to publicize that and bring attention to the rescue (effort) we started.
"We got a lot of support from a lot of different individuals … I don't know if more people pledged after I got going, but we're well over a grand."
Martin got his charity up and running last summer, obtaining a 501c3 federal tax exemption for nonprofit public charities. He and his fiancée also practiced what they preached.
"We have three that are ours permanently and one that we're fostering right now," Martin said of his own rescued canines. "We've got three Staffordshire Terriers – or Pit Bulls – and one who's like a Lab-Husky mix. She's kind of a mutt. Not sure what she is … we were fostering her, then decided to adopt her. So a 'foster-fail.' "
Martin most certainly didn't fail Tuesday.
And it was also generally a good day for his former IU teammates, too.
The three Hoosier representatives at the 2019 NFL Combine (Feb. 26 through March 4 in Indianapolis) – safety Jonathan Crawford, offensive tackle Brandon Knight and long-snapper Dan Godsil – also participated Tuesday at IU's Mellencamp Pavilion alongside: Martin, offensive tackle Delroy Brooks, running backs Ricky Brookins and Mike Majette, wideouts J-Shun Harris and Luke Timian, defensive end Nile Sykes and linebacker Dameon Willis.
IU center Nick Linder missed Pro Day after having had surgery for a core-muscle injury three weeks ago but, according to his agency, "should be good to go at the time of the NFL Draft (April 25-27 in Nashville) and ready to compete in rookie mini-camp."
While Martin played alongside Linder as a senior, he allowed just two sacks in over 900 snaps. And as a junior, Martin recorded the most snaps without a sack among guards nationally (569).
And the tails of Martin's dogs would doubtless have wagged vociferously as he shined throughout the various set pieces orchestrated Tuesday by National Football League personnel in front of scouts from 28 of the NFL's 32 teams.
After his prodigious bench-pressing, the 6-foot-3, 316-pound Martin uncorked a personal-best 9-foot, 5-inch standing broad-jump (113 total inches).
"That was my best ever, by far," Martin said of his broad jump, though he noted he was a tad short of his best-ever bench press. "A couple of weeks ago I hit 42 (bench press reps). When you get to that many reps, it's all about your timing and breathing-pattern. And my breathing-pattern was just a little bit off. Your body just wears out quicker when that pattern isn't right.
"I wish I'd have hit 42 or over again, but it was good. It just showed (who I am). I think scouts knew I was a strong guy, but this kind of reinforced that and allowed them to see it in-person."
Martin had discussions with the Detroit Lions after his workout concluded and said he has "Top 30" meetings with five NFL clubs lined up (with each franchise empowered to bring in 30 prospects annually for on-site visits heading into the draft).
Crawford, who took home IU's 2018 Anthony Thompson MVP Award from Tuesday night's annual team post-season banquet, has a local Pro Day lined up next week with the Indianapolis Colts and hopes his Tuesday showing, which featured a 33½-inch vertical leap, will help create further interest from clubs.
"I feel like I had to improve my vert(ical, from the Combine), and think I did that," said Crawford, who started all 50 games in which he played during his Hoosier career. "Could've got higher, but it is what it is … and I continue to run fast, and hopefully I did (in the 40-yard dash, where only unofficial hand-held times were immediately available). That's a big thing for me.
"I met with a bunch (of teams) at the Combine but, other than that, no feedback."
Tuesday's best verticals were posted by Harris and Majette, both at 35½, and Harris also put up one of the day's best 40 times, unofficially.
"I want to get the official number, because everybody had a bunch of different numbers (hand-held)," Harris said. "I think I ran pretty decent … Dr. (Matt) Rhea had me averaging (between) :4.41 and 4:39. Coach (David) Ballou had me at a :4.42. So it's somewhere in that range. I wanted to get a :4.2 but, hey, my legs were saying otherwise."
Harris' legs said otherwise more than once in his career. He inspired everybody in and around Indiana's program as he rehabilitated three ACL knee injuries during his Hoosier career and still played in all 12 games as a senior, catching 37 psasses for 325 yards and a pair of TDs, and returning 16 punts (including one for an 86-yard TD against Ball State.)
"I lot of people probably looked at that situation and wrote me off, and to each his own," Harris said of his knee injuries. "But I'm happy to have a strong family, strong friends, and everybody who was encouraging me through this entire process.
"I felt everything went pretty smooth (today). The standards I set for myself, I reached all of them, so I'm more than happy about that. To be able to come out here and perform like I wanted to, that hopefully got a couple guys' attention, a couple of teams' attention, and then we'll see what happens from here."
Timian was IU's receiving leader last fall with 46 catches (giving him 135 career receptions, ranking ninth all-time at the school), making the Earl Campbell-Tyler Rose Award watch list and also vying for the Burlsworth Trophy, bequeathed annually to the nation's outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on.
The Texas native trained in Florida for Pro Day. He found a trainer there who specialized in elevating "underdogs" along the lines of former walk-ons.
"And then the weather and the food, can't beat it," Timian said with a grin. "They have this place called Fresh Kitchen. And, you know, you try to eat healthy when you're training for this. It's kind of like a healthier Chipotle sort of thing. You just get in, get out, and it's all really good, quality food. That was my favorite."
Timian wasn't quite as enamored of his performance Tuesday, overall, but had no regrets.
"I had a little higher expectations than what it showed," he said. "You know, it's tough. You come out here and you get only one shot to do it, while when you're training, you get multiple (chances) – when you'll obviously usually put up better numbers than in just one attempt.
"I think I did some good things, some bad things. I did my best. That's all you can ask for. Mitchell (Paige, who preceded Timian as an IU slot receiver) actually texted me before, and he was, like, 'Just put your best foot forward. And don't have any regrets at the end of the day.' And I don't. I busted my tail when I was down in Tampa. Maybe a couple of numbers could have been better (today), but it's all good."
Godsil already had some great numbers posted before Tuesday began.
Record numbers, actually.
Godsil broke all-time NFL Combine records for long snappers last month by posting a vertical leap of 34½ inches and a standing broad jump of 118 inches (9 feet, 10 inches).
Tuesday, he supplied his usual slew of on-target punt snaps while also working on coming out of the snap in blocking mode.
"I didn't block in college (where snappers are protected from contact by rule)," Godsil said. "In the NFL, you have to snap and block … getting my head up and moving my feet quicker. That was the main focus from the Combine. So that was a big transition. Did a lot of repetition. Go to the Senior Bowl, then the Combine, now Pro Day – it's just the start and we'll see where it goes.
"You have to get your laces perfect every time (for place-kicks). That's all about the revolutions of the ball. At the Combine, I had 50 short (placement) snaps in a row, so it was pretty tiring, and I had to get the laces right every time.
"I have a lot of teams interested in me. I have a workout Thursday with a team … no matter where you go, you're going to have to compete."
IU coach Tom Allen naturally hoped Tuesday helped position some of his graduation players to compete for NFL opportunities.
"It's a huge day," Allen said. "Lot of guys have put in an extremely large amount of work into today. All the extra time. Most of the guys have stayed here to train. A few of them have went to other spots. Most of them stayed here. You just want to see them rewarded for all the hard work.
"They've given so much to our program. They've invested. They've sacrificed and worked extremely hard, made plays for us on game day and took care of business in the classroom, and now they're getting rewarded with an opportunity to have … NFL scouts from (almost) every team will be here and a chance to showcase what they got. We had a few guys that got to go to the Combine to do that. The rest of them here will be here doing that with all the tests. I'm really excited. It's a big day for our program."
And the final day, Harris noted, he'd perform under the official auspices of IU.
"It's bittersweet … but this is always home, for sure," Harris said. "I love everyone in this facility, and I'm just thankful for the opportunity they gave me to come in and represent this prestigious university."
Martin, a team captain for 24 of his 37 career starts at left guard for IU, hopes to represent his school at football's ultimate level – where he could earn the sort of money to, among other things, help rescue a lot of canines.
As Martin grew up in and around West Milton, Ohio, farm country – baling hay, excelling academically, learning how to love dogs and other animals – he dreamed of a day like Tuesday, with actual steps taken toward a possible NFL future.
"Oh, sure," Martin acknowledged. "I think anyone who plays pee-wee football wants to take it as far as they can. And I was definitely one of those kids."
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