MOBILE, Ala. -- Isaiah Pead has enjoyed the all-star experience at the 2012 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
From getting to know his teammates on the North roster to participating in practices and the game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Pead is taking in the opportunity and trying to show NFL scouts and coaches what he can bring to the field on Sundays.
“I’m out here with the best of the best and we’re just going to get better,” Pead said. “I want to get better as a football player, as a person. Being able to be around a competitive atmosphere is only going to make you better and I’m here to embrace all of it. If it’s a good day or bad day, my confidence is going to boost that much more because I’ve learned and got better. I’m only going to take a positive note from this week and it’s going to raise my confidence level.”
During his final season at the University of Cincinnati, Pead ran for 1,259 yards and 12 touchdowns on 237 carries. Over his 13 starts, Pead averaged 5.3 yards-per-carry and 96.8 yards-per-game.
He also finished as Cincinnati’s third-leading receiver with 39 catches. Pead accounted for 319 yards and three touchdowns catching the ball out of the backfield.
In addition to Pead, Ohio State’s Dan Herron, Chris Polk of Washington and Boise State’s Doug Martin have been running behind the lead blocks of fullback Bradie Ewing (Wisconsin) for the North team.
“I think our running back group is very talented,” said Pead. “We’re all learning together and we all help each other with plays on the field and if one messes up, (we) get on him. We’re all out here looking to make a name for ourselves and hopefully make an impact in the NFL.”
Pead is down in Mobile after taking the spring semester off from classes in order to prepare for the 2012 NFL Draft. He is working out in Phoenix, Ariz. and has been training for the NFL Scouting Combine, which takes place in Indianapolis at the end of February.
Although the Senior Bowl is the first of a few steps in the NFL Draft process, Pead has received good feedback from coaches and knows what he needs to work on before April.
“They like my speed, my quickness and passion for the game,” Pead said. “I guess I’m a bit physical for my size. I need to work on more pad-level and level of contact as far as running the ball, pass-blocking position. I’m not the biggest person so with technique and being fundamentally sound, I need to be perfect.”
