The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Football Hosts Pro Timing Day
March 09 | Football
AKRON, Ohio – Representatives from at least 15 NFL franchises were on hand at the University of Akron's Athletics Field House Friday to evaluate seven Zips, as well as three other local collegians, for the facility's third-ever Pro Timing Day.
Some of the NFL teams represented were the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers. Akron hopes to make this day an annual event with each year's participants increasing, which, in turn, would lead to the ongoing success of the football program.
Similar to the recent NFL combine, which UA offensive lineman Andy Alleman and quarterback Luke Getsy were invited to participate, the athletes were put through a series of physical tests, including the broad jump, vertical leap, 40-yard dash, shuttle runs, 225-pound bench press and individual drills.
"The Pro Day is a reward for all the hard work that has been dedicated by these student-athletes over their careers," said Akron strength and conditioning coach Dan Bailey. "It is apparent that most of the scouts have come for two (of our players), but it gives the other guys a chance to be seen."
Alleman started 24 of 25 career games at right guard for the Zips, including all 12 games in 2006. A former defensive lineman who converted to the offensive side of the ball when he transferred from Pittsburgh to Akron in 2004, Alleman was part of a line that produced a 1,000-yard rusher and 3,000-yard passer in 2005.
As he did at the combine, Alleman impressed scouts, improving in the categories that he felt he did not perform well in last month. He walked away with three more repetitions in the bench press, notching his total to 30, and shaved two-tenths of a second off of his three-cone shuttle run and pro agility run.
Getsy started all 12 games under center in 2006, completing 199-of-380 passes for 2,662 yards and 18 touchdowns. In two seasons at Akron he passed for 6,117 yards, which ranks third on Akron's all-time list.
Also showcasing themselves were long snapper Jason Giachetti, defensive lineman Kiki Gonzalez, offensive lineman Tim Crouch, offensive lineman Mike Donaldson and defensive lineman Jermaine Reid. The non-Akron players were wide receiver T.J. Peterson and running back Marcus Mason from Youngstown State and wide receiver Joe Konrad from John Carroll.
Other notable performances included Reid, who had a 30½-inch vertical, and Gonzalez who showed his strength with 31 repetitions in the bench press.
"This day is just a step closer for all the young guys on their way to fulfilling a dream," said Akron head coach J.D. Brookhart. "It is great to see the turnout (by the NFL scouts) and the number of guys (from Akron) being looked at. The more important thing is, that in a few months, all these guys will be graduating. It is great to have a dream, just as long as (playing in the NFL) is not your only dream."
In addition to the opportunity to for Akron to showcase its student-athletes, Pro Day is another opportunity to showcase its the state-of-the-art facilities.
"The facilities are outstanding," said Cincinnati Bengals representative and former Ohio State head coach John Cooper. "You look at the other facilities across the country and this is as good as you will see. Some professional teams do not have as nice facilities and equipment like they do here."
The Akron football team will begin its annual spring practices on Mar. 29. The annual Blue and Gold game – presented by Sky Bank – is set for April 15. (Please check back later with GoZips.com for updates on the spring game.)
