INDIANAPOLIS -
The top college football prospects arrive in Indianapolis this week for the meat market also known as the NFL Draft Combine. But many NFL hopefuls don't get invited to work out and interview at Lucas Oil Stadium. Three players from Indianapolis are among those getting ready for another chance to impress scouts.
Linebacker Joe Holland, offensive lineman Andrew McDonald and defensive back Christian Adkins prepare for the NFL draft in a St. Vincent Sports Performance program that combines personalized training and diet. None of the three were invited to the NFL draft combine. Holland starred at Bishop Chatard High School and Purdue University. McDonald and Adkins played on the same state championship teams at Warren Central High School, and then Indiana University.
Nearly two months of intense training are coming to an end for the group. The athletes can see and feel the results.
"Definitely in speed and explosion," said Adkins, 6-1, 190 pounds, a four year starter for the Hoosiers. "We do a lot of explosion work and get a lot of speed going. It's really like track practice."
"I need to get a little bigger and stronger," said McDonald, 6-6, 285 pounds, a two-year starter at left tackle for the Hoosiers. "I've definitely seen that throughout the last seven weeks. It's been a big encouragement."
"I was a bit disappointed when I didn't get invited to the combine," said Holland, 6-1, 230 pounds, a four-year starter for the Boilermakers who never missed a game. "I definitely thought I had a chance to be invited, just with the experience that I had and my stats.But it's definitely not a death sentence."
More than 300 hundred players are coming to Lucas Oil Stadium this week for the combine. More than 200 players will be drafted in April. But NFL scouting is an inexact science. Players not invited to the combine, and not even drafted, can still become NFL success stories.
Colts linebacker Gary Brackett and center Jeff Saturday are two undrafted players who have enjoyed long NFL careers.
"I think I have good odds," said McDonald. "I didn't get invited to the combine. I'm disappointed about that. But that's not that big of a deal. I have skills. God gave me talents. I can do what I need to do."
"Obviously, it's everyone's dream to be drafted," said Holland. "But if that doesn't happen, it's no reason to be disappointed or lose hope in making a team."
Holland is already accepted to the Indiana School of Dentistry. His classes would begin in July. He would rather report to an NFL training camp about that time.
The chance to impress scouts comes at the on-campus pro days, March 5th at Indiana and March 9th at Purdue.
"It's just about getting the most out of your one opportunity," said Adkins. "Everybody might have multiple opportunities, but all you need is one. All I need is one, one team to like me."
All three players have their college degrees and are ready to begin their careers. They hope their first job is in football.
Biographies courtesy St. Vincent Sports Performance:
Joe Holland * Purdue University * LB * 6-1 * 230 * Indianapolis, IN *
Joe Holland recently capped an outstanding career at Purdue, where he graduated with a degree in movement and sport science in December. At Purdue, Holland was a four-year starter who did not miss a single game in his career as a Boilermaker.
Prior to coming to Purdue, Holland had a record-setting career at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis. He participated in football, basketball, and track and field. In football he was a three-year starter, playing both offense and defense. He rushed for 78 touchdowns and a school record 5,270 yards in his career and was named All-State and Indianapolis City Player of the Year as a senior.
Holland went on to Purdue, where he practiced at safety during his redshirt year before switching to linebacker before his freshman season. As a freshman, he was Purdue's third-leading tackler.
As a sophomore, he was second. Both seasons Holland was an Academic All-Big Ten and Academic All-District V selection.
As a junior, Holland was third on the team in tackles and was once again named Academic All-Big Ten and Academic All-District V. In addition, Holland was named second team Academic All-American.
Holland was voted a captain prior to his senior season. As a senior he led the Boilermakers with a career-best 94 tackles as well as 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, and nine passes defensed. In his career he amassed 324 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.
Holland received numerous accolades in his final year as a student-athlete. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient, and Defensive MVP of the 2011 Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl. For his work in the classroom, Holland was one of 16 student-athletes named a first team Capitol One Academic All-American.
Holland is now training with St.Vincent Sports Performance in its eight-week Pre-Combine Training Program in preparation for the NFL Draft.
Chris Adkins *Indiana University * DB * 6-1 * 190 * Indianapolis, Ind.*
Chris Adkins didn't miss a beat after winning three state championships at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. After a redshirt season at Indiana, he started all 12 games at cornerback as a freshman and finished fifth on the team with 54 tackles. Adkins added four pass breakups, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a Hoosiers defense that only allowed 20 passing touchdowns. Adkins also was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team.
He transitioned to safety as a sophomore, recording an interception against No. 9-ranked Ohio State and playing in six games before an elbow injury. He battled an ankle injury as a junior before a strong opening stretch during his senior season, when Adkins started the first four games and led the Hoosiers in tackles against Ball State (11), North Texas (10) and Virginia (7).
Adkins has shown the ability to play different positions, converting to the defensive secondary as a high school senior after spending several years as a talented running back. During his senior season, he made the honorable mention all-state football team and helped the lead the Warren Central track and field team to a state championship as part of the relay team.
Andrew McDonald *Indiana University * OT * 6-6 * 285 * Indianapolis, Ind.*
McDonald anchored the Indiana offensive line for two seasons, starting 23 games at left tackle as a junior and senior after replacing NFL second-round draft pick Rodger Saffold. McDonald was a steadying influence in 2011 when the Hoosiers started more than 25 underclassmen, and he's showcased his ability to pass block and run block throughout his collegiate career.
As a senior, McDonald was twice named a game captain while helping the Hoosiers rush for 1,374 yards in Big Ten games — the school's highest mark since 2001 — including three consecutive 200-yard performances against Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern. That dominant rushing game was preceded by a strong passing attack during McDonald's junior season, when he contributed to an Indiana offense that led the Big Ten with 287.2 passing yards per game. He allowed only half a sack despite all the pass attempts, also catching one pass for three yards.
McDonald played in eight games at tackle as a sophomore and five games at tackle and guard as a redshirt freshman, including two starts at left guard. His successful collegiate career came after McDonald won three consecutive state championships at Warren Central in Indianapolis. He was a first-team all-state football selection in 2006 and also earned two letters in track and field.
