Local stars shine without combine invite

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – All eyes will be on the NFL Combine this week with some of the league’s top executives and future stars in town.

Even without an invite to the combine, dozens of players get drafted that don’t participate; even more latch on as free agents. That’s what brings them to St. Vincent Sports Performance, where they go through weeks of grueling training to get them to the top of their game in every way.

“This program really prepares you for the next level, physically, mentally, nutrition, the whole nine yards,” said Marian running back Tevin Lake.

“We’re trying to get them to be the best possible athlete for that one day,” added St. Vincent strength and conditioning coach Brandon Johnson.

For the past five weeks, these guys have been training twice a day: speed work in the morning, more drills and position work in the afternoon.

Without a combine invite, IU long snapper Matt Dooley will rely on his Pro Day in Bloomington and a specialist camp out west in the next few weeks to be seen.

“It will allow me to compare myself with other guys coming out,” said Dooley. “There’s maybe one, two guys invited to the combine in Indianapolis, so that’s one way of getting your name out there. A lot of it has to do with your game film and how you perform.”