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Created on Wednesday, 21 March 2012 20:42
The Mountaineers are again making waves in the NFL.
Appalachian State’s pro day workout welcomed representatives from 26 NFL franchises. The reps evaluated the players on a series of position-specific drills and the 40-yard dash.
The biggest draw of the day was senior wide receiver Brian Quick, who was listed 6’4” in February’s NFL Combine. Quick has the potential to be the highest drafted Mountaineer since Dexter Jackson was selected in the second round, No. 58 overall, in 2008.
Quick has been seen in most mock drafts between the second and fifth rounds, and is listed as a top 10 receiver on most analysts’ draft boards.
Although Appalachian State does not release the 40-yard dash times of their players during pro day, Quick said he performed consistently with his 4.55 mark at the Combine.
Despite the buzz surrounding Quick’s draft status, the wide receiver has refrained from speculation.
“At the end of the day I want to stay in the NFL,” Quick said. “Getting picked is just the first step. I don’t care about the money.”
Quick said in preparation for ASU’s pro day, he worked out for nearly eight hours a day, and worked extensively to figure out the difference between NFL and collegiate terminology.
Despite having to learn new terminology and play a more under-center oriented offense, Quick thinks he’s improved since the Senior Bowl that took place in early Febuary.
Quick said he was nervous about losing his starting spot on the team and dropped three or so balls in the first practice, before improving and earning praise from NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.
Maycock said Quick “made money” during the week.
“It’s all about coaching,” Quick said. “I had the best coach for me. Guys from other schools know the terminology a little bit better…Those guys are human. They’re not better than me or less. They’re just out there trying to work and I support them.”
Until the draft, scheduled for April 28-30, Quick admits he’ll avoid thinking too hard about where he could be living in May.
“I’ve been thinking about it, but I’m going to let God take care of it,” he said. “You don’t have to think about it. Just let it come to you. Of course it’s in my head because I’m very eager to know. It’s my job.”
Along with Quick, DeAndre Presley and other ASU seniors attended Febuary’s NFL Combine.
“These guys are consistent - everything that happened today didn’t start today,” strength and conditioning coach Kareem Young said. “For you to have 26 teams to come back here after doing their homework, it shows you what these guys have accomplished.”
Presley’s key to being drafted or signed by an NFL team lies in his versatility. Presley has seen interest from teams as a wide receiver, a defensive back and as a return specialist.
“The fact that I can play many positions, a team can’t say ‘Oh, he can’t do this,’” Presley said. “They can come in and see that I can do multiple roles.”
Story: JAKE AMBERG, Sports Editor and TYLER WOOD, Sports Reporter
