Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders take part in Pro Day
3/11/2019 2:30:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee's NFL Draft hopefuls got the chance to prove themselves in front of scouts Monday at the Blue Raiders' annual pro day at Tennessee State.
With scouts from 30 NFL teams in attendance, 19 Raiders showcased their abilities, including quarterback Brent Stockstill, linebacker Darius Harris, offensive linemen Chandler Brewer and Carlos Johnson, cornerback Darryl Randolph and a cast of other defenders and offensive skill-position players.
"It's a kind of culmination of a lot of hard work throughout their whole lives," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at the conclusion of the morning's drills. "They'll continue to chase their dream of playing in the NFL. It's a special day for these guys."
Monday's event was the culmination of months of intense weight room work.
Brewer and Harris said they spent the better part of 2 ½ months perfecting drill techniques, working with strength and conditioning coaches and getting in the proper shape.
"We started at the beginning of January going through numerous workouts, stretching, position drills to get ready for this opportunity," Harris said. "Overall, I feel like I had a pretty good workout."
For Brewer, the preparation was a little different than the rest of his teammates.
He revealed in February that he played his entire senior season after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in July. He started all 14 games and was named to the Conference USA First Team to add to two all-conference honorable mention nods in 2016 and 2017.
On Monday, Brewer showed his strength by putting up 34 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press and his agility in individual drills. Being able to display his craft to scouts meant more than just getting ready for the NFL, though.
"It's a great feeling … and I can't wait for what the future holds," he said. "I think it shows no matter what I get put on my shoulders, I can make it through.
"My whole life, I've just been a grinder. That didn't change when I got diagnosed with cancer … I just wanted to treat it like anything else I've had in my life."
The day didn't go without a hitch, as Brent Stockstill suffered a hamstring injury while running his second attempt in the 40-yard dash. He didn't throw during individual drills as a result.
"I know how hard he's worked to get to this point," Rick Stockstill said of his son. "You just hate it for him that he couldn't throw in front of these guys, because I promise you they would've been impressed with him."
The players will get chances to do private workouts for teams leading up to the draft on April 25-27. As Monday's pro day shows, there's plenty of interest around the league in the Middle Tennessee program, a fact its head coach loves to emphasize.
"This senior class has done a lot of great things and helped build this program," Rick Stockstill said. "When I tell people in recruiting that you can accomplish all your goals and dreams here just like you can anywhere else, I think this day proves it."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
With scouts from 30 NFL teams in attendance, 19 Raiders showcased their abilities, including quarterback Brent Stockstill, linebacker Darius Harris, offensive linemen Chandler Brewer and Carlos Johnson, cornerback Darryl Randolph and a cast of other defenders and offensive skill-position players.
"It's a kind of culmination of a lot of hard work throughout their whole lives," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at the conclusion of the morning's drills. "They'll continue to chase their dream of playing in the NFL. It's a special day for these guys."
Monday's event was the culmination of months of intense weight room work.
Brewer and Harris said they spent the better part of 2 ½ months perfecting drill techniques, working with strength and conditioning coaches and getting in the proper shape.
"We started at the beginning of January going through numerous workouts, stretching, position drills to get ready for this opportunity," Harris said. "Overall, I feel like I had a pretty good workout."
For Brewer, the preparation was a little different than the rest of his teammates.
He revealed in February that he played his entire senior season after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in July. He started all 14 games and was named to the Conference USA First Team to add to two all-conference honorable mention nods in 2016 and 2017.
On Monday, Brewer showed his strength by putting up 34 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press and his agility in individual drills. Being able to display his craft to scouts meant more than just getting ready for the NFL, though.
"It's a great feeling … and I can't wait for what the future holds," he said. "I think it shows no matter what I get put on my shoulders, I can make it through.
"My whole life, I've just been a grinder. That didn't change when I got diagnosed with cancer … I just wanted to treat it like anything else I've had in my life."
The day didn't go without a hitch, as Brent Stockstill suffered a hamstring injury while running his second attempt in the 40-yard dash. He didn't throw during individual drills as a result.
"I know how hard he's worked to get to this point," Rick Stockstill said of his son. "You just hate it for him that he couldn't throw in front of these guys, because I promise you they would've been impressed with him."
The players will get chances to do private workouts for teams leading up to the draft on April 25-27. As Monday's pro day shows, there's plenty of interest around the league in the Middle Tennessee program, a fact its head coach loves to emphasize.
"This senior class has done a lot of great things and helped build this program," Rick Stockstill said. "When I tell people in recruiting that you can accomplish all your goals and dreams here just like you can anywhere else, I think this day proves it."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
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