Football | March 30

DeKALB, Ill. – With only seven seniors on the 2021 Northern Illinois University football roster, the Huskies' 2022 Pro Day turned into a showcase for running back Clint Ratkovich and linebacker Lance Deveaux Jr. with wide receiver Tyrice Richie and punter Matt Ference taking part in a limited role. In addition to the four Huskies, 10 players from schools throughout the region participated as scouts representing 11 NFL teams were in attendance.
 
After the workout, Ratkovich – who NIU head coach Thomas Hammock has touted as an NFL player ever since Ratkovich's arrival in DeKalb as a graduate transfer – said he was pleased with his overall performance and the opportunity to show his versatility.
 
"It's a great experience and an awesome opportunity to get in front of these NFL scouts," Ratkovich said. "I just wanted to look clean and relax. [We've] been training for months for this and everything we've done to this point has led to [today], so my goal was just to get out here and let it loose – have no regrets, just put on a show and leave it all out there. It was awesome [the scouts] were asking me to do a variety of things, that I could show my versatility. I felt that I had a good day and I heard that from a couple of scouts."
 
Players began the day with weigh-ins and measurements, including height and weight, hand size and wingspan, before starting the "testing" portion of the day with the bench press and vertical leap in the Northwestern Medicine Sports Performance Center. Ratkovich performed 31 reps of 225 pounds to lead all participants on the bench press and added a 34-inch vertical leap, which Deveaux matched.
 
The action then moved inside the Chessick Practice Center for the broad jump, 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and shuttle run. Ratkovich posted a top time of 4.64 seconds in the 40, while Deveaux' time was 4.75 seconds on both of his attempts. The Huskie linebacker said he has been training at both linebacker and defensive back, which he played in high school, in preparation for today and his emphasis was to let his training take over.
 
"I've been training since January; it's been a long road," Deveaux said. "Coming into today, I kept telling myself, you're prepared, you've put in all the work to get to this point, just go out there and have fun, don't let the moment get too big for you. I've been training linebacker and DB drills, emphasizing DB drills because it's been a while as I haven't played that position since high school when I was a safety."
 
In addition to his 40 time, Ratkovich had the top leap of the day in the broad jump at 10-2, ran a 4.32 in the shuttle run and a 7.18 in the three-cone drill. Deveaux' numbers included a 9-10 broad jump, 4.48 shuttle run and 7.48 second three-cone time.
 
Scouts then put players through different drills specific to their positions. Deveaux' assignments included showing his ability to drop into coverage and grab interceptions, while Ratkovich showed off his versatility, from catching passes and running routes to footwork, cutting, blocking and more.
 
Richie, who continues to come back from an injury suffered on November 3 at Kent State that forced him to miss the remainder of his senior season, only took part in the bench press, while Ference punted during the positional drills at the end of the workouts.

NFL teams in attendance included the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Miami Dolphins. Current NIU players stopped in between classes and following the morning's practice to cheer on their former teammates while Hammock was also an interested observer. 
 
Deveaux said he will continue to work and be ready to take advantage of his opportunities and expressed his appreciation for his time at NIU in preparing him for the future.
 
"I can't stop now, I have to keep myself in shape and make sure I'm ready," he said. "NIU molded me into the man I am today. They put me in a position and laid the foundation for a day like today. I've come a long way and I appreciate NIU for everything."
 
Prior to Pro Day, the NIU Football team held its fifth practice of the spring with a 1:45 workout in full pads in the Chessick Practice Center. The Huskies return to the field this weekend with upcoming practices scheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. See the complete schedule of practices and coverage at 2022 Spring Football Central on NIUHuskies.com.
 
Season tickets for the six-game NIU football home schedule are NOW on sale at NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225) Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Season ticket prices start at just $97 for all six games for general admission East Side tickets, or purchase a minimum of four reserved season tickets through the Huskie Plan for the discounted prices of $102 (sections B, F) or $88 (sections A, G) each.
 
Season ticket members can renew their season tickets for 2022 by logging into their MyHuskies account. To become a new season ticket member, or if you did not have season tickets in 2021, purchase tickets for the 2022 NIU Football season HERE. 
 
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