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!
-- NIU --
Twitter: @NIUAthletics
Facebook: NIU Huskies
Instagram: niuhuskies
YouTube: NIU Athletics
