Players and coaches have filed into Walter Fieldhouse for the first days of spring practice throughout the week. Thursday, however, the new facility will be packed even further when professional scouts enter the building for Ohio’s Pro Day.
Former Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton and receiver Donte Foster are among the list of athletes who will be showcasing their talents to potential suitors during the afternoon.
“It’s fun to be back around the guys, and see how far they’ve come with their training,” Tettleton said. “I’ve been working out every day when possible, just trying to take care of my body and eat right and do the right things. I feel like I’m in the right place right now. It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to it.”
The former Bobcat also says he’s weighing his future options after six NFL teams began communicating with him following an All-Star Game he played in last month, in addition to one Canadian Football League team that has offered him a contract.
Foster has spent the past eight weeks training in Miami, Fla. working on drills such as shuttles, bench presses and verticals preparing for Thursday’s opportunity. Foster shared Tettleton’s enthusiasm about Pro Day and relayed some advice given to him by Indianapolis Colts receiver and former Bobcat LaVon Brazill.
“LaVon told me to just stay relaxed,” Foster said. “If one thing goes bad, you can’t let that dictate the rest of your Pro Day. He just said to stay focused, and if you have one bad drill, then just go onto the next one and just make the most of it. You have to go into these things with confidence, so hearing that from him was very beneficial to me.”
Tettleton and Foster have each attended the early days of the Bobcats’ spring practices to observe next year’s team, as well as the new practice facility.
“I’ll always be a Bobcat, so I’ll always support them,” Tettleton said. “I try to be around the guys as much as possible. It’s great to be in here, and see the new indoor that my class and all of these guys helped build and provide for this program.”
As one of the players looking to fill Tettleton’s shoes this season, redshirt junior Derrius Vick has been looking to get the most out of the first week of practice.
“Practice has been way different,” Vick said. “The new quarterback coach has us doing a lot more drills and puts a lot more emphasis on different things. I can definitely feel myself getting better quickly every day.”
Ohio’s Pro Day kicks off at Walter Fieldhouse on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
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