March 9, 2010
MADISON, Wis. -- When most people show up to interview for a job show, they are dressed to impressed. They always say that first impressions are critical. Especially for a job that pays in the six, and sometimes seven, figures. But for seven former Badger football players going through the "interview" process on Wednesday, shirts and pants will be optional.
Wisconsin will hold its annual Pro Day on Wednesday in the McClain Center. A number of NFL scouts and front office personnel will descend on Madison to try and see if they can find some pieces of their future. On the other side, Garrett Graham, O'Brien Schofield, Jeff Stehle, Jaevery McFadden, Dan Moore, Chris Maragos and Mickey Turner will be trying to impress those in attendance. Schofield is still sidelined with a knee injury but will meet with scouts and front office people.
The day will begin around 12:30 p.m. in the weight room where the players will do their "measurables," height, weight, hand size, wingspan and reach. They will then proceed to the practice field and, after warming up, begin the physical tests. Those include the 40-yard dash, broad jump, vertical jump, sprint agility, pro agility, long shuttle (skill players) and the 225-pound bench press. Once those are finished, the group will break up to do some individual position drills.
"This is your opportunity to maybe turn a head and that's all it takes is one head."
-- Ben Herbert
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Among the former Badgers participating on Wednesday, Stehle, Turner and Moore have been training in Madison with Ben Herbert and John Dettmann of the UW Strength and Conditioning staff. That training has differed greatly from their normal workouts to get ready for the football season.
"The only that training cycle is predicated on is getting ready for the 40-yard dash, pro agility, vertical, sprint agility, 225-pound bench press, all the things that they'll be tested on," Herbert said. "We train them specifically for that. It takes a lot of what we do to train for football out of the equation. It's set up to test well in those events."
Graham and Schofield both attended the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and are projected by many to be drafted in the upcoming draft. For the other former Badgers, this is their best shot at possibly working their way into a late-round pick or free agent pick-up.
"This is your opportunity to maybe turn a head and that's all it takes is one head. Show up, conduct yourself in a professional manner, represent the University and the football team in the right way and just test the best that you can," Herbert said. "From the way it sounds, the only guys that may get drafted are Garrett and O.B. So with those other guys, you're fighting to just get a look. If you can run a really good time or do something to catch the attention of someone, that may be the difference in you getting into a camp or not."
