High School Combine scores again

02.10.2009

About a week before the NFL Scouting Combine begins, more than 250 high school juniors who hope to one day get there gathered at Browns Headquarters for a combine of their own.

The 2009 National High School All-Star Combine powered by Under Armour made its 13th stop in Berea Tuesday afternoon. Though it's grown to be national event - and is now bigger and better than ever with Under Armour's involvement and word of mouth from past success stories - the Cleveland combine is the longest-running of the group.

The participants in this year's combine came from all corners of the state of Ohio, from high school programs such as Cleveland Glenville and defending Div. V state champion Youngstown Ursuline and from lesser-known schools in rural areas as well.

The combine participants included some players - like Akron Garfield's Antonio Gulley and Glenville's Christian Bryant - who are already receiving interest and offers from BCS programs and dozens of others who are looking to follow in the footsteps of past Cleveland combine participants who have landed at a variety of schools ranging from Northwestern to Bowling Green to Findlay.

"We hang our hats on the guys who have been in this program in the past who have gone on to Ohio State and other big schools and are on their way to the NFL," said NHSASC president Don Zoloty. "But this is an event that gives exposure to a lot of kids and gives a lot of kids a chance.

"Some use the exposure to become a scholarship player at a MAC school. Some end up getting money from Division II schools. The important thing is that the exposure comes and the kids see the work it's going to take to get where they want to go."

Each participant was tested in the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, bench press, long jump and vertical leap and was weighed and had his height and arm span measured.That data is recorded and sent to college football programs nationwide.

The combine also included a stations run by Kaplan Test Prep that discussed NCAA Clearinghouse regulations and another run by the NFL's LaLisa Anthony that presented the participants details on the recruiting process and grade requirements for college eligibility.

"We thank everybody involved - the Browns, Under Armour, the NFL, the kids and their coaches," Zoloty said. "We all love football, and we hope the kids who come here get the full understanding, academically and athletically, of what they need to chase their football dreams."