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2023 Huskie Seniors Work Out for NFL Scouts at NIU Pro Day

Lombardi, Potter, Ester and More Take Next Step Toward Pro Football

Pro Day Group 2024

Football | March 7

DeKALB, Ill. – Six 2023 Northern Illinois University seniors worked out for scouts from approximately 13 National Football League teams during the Huskies' annual Pro Day Thursday at the Chessick Practice Center.
 
Quarterback Rocky Lombardi, offensive tackle Nolan Potter, defensive line James Ester, cornerback Gabriel Amegatcher and linebackers Tyler Jackson and DaRon Gilbert went through a series of measurements, testing and drills for nearly three hours as the NIU coaching staff, family and friends, and members of the 2024 Huskie football team looked on.
 
The six Huskies, along with a handful of local products from schools throughout the region, 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. Potter performed 25 reps of 225 pounds to lead all participants on the bench press while Ester put the weight up 23 times. Lombardi showed off an impressive vertical of 35 inches, followed closely by Gilbert at 34 inches and Amegatcher at 33.
 
The action then moved inside the Chessick Practice Center for the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill, shuttle run and broad jump. Amegatcher recorded the best 40 time among the Huskie participants at 4.65, followed by Lombardi (4.70) and Gilbert (4.72); Gilbert posted a 7.22 in the three-cone drill with Lombardi at 7.25 while Amegatcher broad jumped 10-4 to lead the way.
 
The scouts put the players through position drills, with Lombardi throwing to former Huskies Cole Tucker and Clint Ratkovich, among others.  The Clive, Iowa native, who led NIU to a MAC Championship in 2021 and to its first bowl win since 2011 during three seasons with the Huskies, said after the workout he was pleased with his performance.
 
"It was a good day overall, it was fun to see everybody working and showing off their skill sets," Lombardi said. "We didn't really have any [2023 senior receivers/tight ends], so I reached out to Clint and Cole and was really happy that they could make it back and then I recruited a couple other guys as well."
 
With Pro Day complete, Ester said he was looking forward to the next step in the process leading into the NFL Draft, which will take place April 25-27, 2024.   
 
"It felt really good out there today," Ester said. "Obviously I have put in a lot of work, starting with the five years here. One thing that was big for me was showing my change of direction and I felt like I really showed that today. Now I'm ready to not be training to be Usain Bolt. I'm 300 pounds, I'm ready to work on football and hitting someone instead of running around cones."
 
The Huskies, who return 18 starters and will have a senior-laden roster, next turn their attention to 2024 NIU Football Spring Practices, which begin March 26 and continue through April 27 when NIU will hold the annual Spring Showcase.
 
The Huskies' complete 2024 schedule was released Tuesday and includes six home games, five on Saturday, along with road games at Notre Dame (Sept. 7) and N.C. State (Sept. 28). Season ticket prices start at just $105 or get reserved West Side seats starting at $152. Discounts are available and parking is included! Season ticket members also receive additional benefits like invitations to special events and access to away game tickets. Go to NIU Huskies dot com slash tickets or call 815-753-PACK to create your account, renew or purchase new season tickets!
 
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Players Mentioned

James Ester

#1 James Ester

DT
6' 3"
Senior
3rd
Rocky Lombardi

#12 Rocky Lombardi

QB
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
1st
Nolan Potter

#69 Nolan Potter

OL
6' 6"
Redshirt Senior
4th
Gabriel Amegatcher

#5 Gabriel Amegatcher

CB
6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
Tyler Jackson

#0 Tyler Jackson

LB
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
DaRon Gilbert

#23 DaRon Gilbert

LB
6' 1"
Senior

Players Mentioned

James Ester

#1 James Ester

6' 3"
Senior
3rd
DT
Rocky Lombardi

#12 Rocky Lombardi

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
1st
QB
Nolan Potter

#69 Nolan Potter

6' 6"
Redshirt Senior
4th
OL
Gabriel Amegatcher

#5 Gabriel Amegatcher

6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
CB
Tyler Jackson

#0 Tyler Jackson

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
LB
DaRon Gilbert

#23 DaRon Gilbert

6' 1"
Senior
LB