Northwestern football held a Pro Day event for it’s outgoing players with NFL aspirations, as well as other area talent.
Pro Days are a chance for NFL prospects to showcase their skillset for NFL scouts and meet with those same scouts as well as media. For some, this may be the first time they are showcasing their skills. For others, like those who attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, it’s just another chance to make an impression.
Roughly 16 outgoing Wildcats took part in Tuesday’s Pro Day, with past Wildcats like receiver Bryce Kirtz also making an appearance as well as players from other schools.
One such Wildcat was quarterback Preston Stone, who spoke with the media following his performances Tuesday. Here’s everything he said.
Throwing to Bryce Kirtz:
Oh, it was awesome. He might be my favorite guy to throw to today. When I first got here, going through installs, watching a ton of tape. First trying to learn the offense, and then you see Bryce pop up on tape. You start to wonder and think, man, how awesome could it have been to have a year with him. I thought he crushed it today. It’s been awesome.
Conversations with Aidan Chiles:
A little bit, yeah. I did my training in California after the season and got back this past week. Just kind of settled in and get ready for today. I was out of practice one day and the guys were working out. I know Aidan’s been up here a little bit. He came up to me, said what’s up, seemed like a super friendly guy. I remember doing some scout tape for Nebraska and Michigan last year, and watching him play when he was at Michigan State. He’s a super talented, super nice guy. I haven’t had those conversations with him, but what I would tell him is just to be himself. Even just in the limited amount of time I’ve been around him, I can tell he’s a genuine guy. He’s a good guy. I think the way to earn respect here from your team is just work at your tempo. That’s kind of the language that Northwestern football speaks. I’m looking forward to watching the process.
Offseason:
Yeah, it was just a ton of training, working on my craft. Working with some quarterback coaches out there, 3DQB. Really just kind of polishing some stuff that I wanted to work on for this season. In the past couple weeks, it was starting to introduce and dial up what I wanted to throw today. Doing a lot of outfield work, a lot of work in the weight room. Just trying to stay ready.
Talks with NFL scouts and feedback:
A little bit, yeah. I’ve been super grateful for the conversations I’ve been able to have. As far as feedback goes, I think it’s just continuing to do what I’m doing. Build off of where I need to work from, from the season. Like I said, it’s just about staying ready for when late April comes.
On Caleb Tiernan:
He’s one of the most genuine guys in the locker room. That was one of the most special parts about being here this past year. All of the best players on the team were the hardest workers. Caleb definitely falls under that category. I’ll be excited to watch him play. Yeah, absolutely. I just got to be here for the past season. With the 5th year guys and the 4th year guys who have been here their whole college career, you can definitely tell that they have a different level of appreciation for this building. Like I said, Caleb is definitely one of those guys.
Culture:
The first thing I noticed when I got here in this off-season is that the player leadership here is unlike any program I’ve been around. I was super fortunate to be able to be around and learn from the leaders last year, like Cam Porter, Caleb Tiernan … I think first and foremost, that was the first thing I noticed. I noticed on my recruiting visit here, when I was in the portal, that when I got to sit down and talk to Coach Braun, there’s just a level of sincerity that’s different. He’s a very genuine coach, very genuine person. That speaks a lot for this character.
Adversity throughout career:
There’s a verse in the Bible that talks about how the righteous man falls seven times, but he gets up again, he keeps getting up. I think through all the times that adversity has come my way in college, just being able to rely on the people you love and just keep swinging. You’re going to get knocked down a bunch, you just keep swinging. At this point, finishing my college career and getting ready for a hopeful pro career, that’s kind of the mindset that I’m keeping with me.
New Stadium:
Yeah, I’ve really only seen the mock-ups. I got to drive by it once this week, and it’s incredible. I think it’s going to be the nicest stadium in college football. Definitely jealous of the guys that get to play next year and go forward. I’m excited to come back and watch the games.
Northwestern’s Big Ten Championship aspirations:
I don’t know if there’s anything that I did from an individual standpoint that really speaks. It’s really different than what the rest of the team is doing. I think as a collective, you’ve seen the player leadership that this team has. That’s something that’s never going to go away. This year, it’ll be Rob Fitz and Braydon Brus who steps into the role of the leaders who drive the team. It’s this constant cycle of guys who keep elevating and upholding the standard. I think that’s what’s going to manifest itself into a Big Ten championship, I’m certain.
Northwestern Standard:
It’s a standard of competitive excellence. Like I said earlier, the best players are the hardest workers on this team. There’s no one who gets around the standard. There’s no one who’s able to take any days off or any work off. It’s just this collective understanding that every guy’s got to do their job and put their best foot forward.
Balancing academics and football:
That was one of the big reasons why I wanted to come here. You get to play in the best conference in college football. It’s unrivaled education. From my experience being in school this past year, I’m still in school. I’ll say the professors have been super lenient and very understanding of what’s expected of a football player and being a Northwestern student. All the resources in the world are here to pursue both ends. My experience was great.
