CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The practice field and weight room at Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Performance Center came alive Thursday afternoon, filled to the brim with football players looking to prove themselves, as their loved ones and NFL scouts watched on.
A grand total of 20 Illinois football players chose to come out and compete at this year’s Pro Day, a strikingly high number.
“Super excited for our guys, you know,” said Illinois head coach Bret Bielema. “I think about it in terms of, they do
so much for us during the course of their career, so this day is obviously an opportunity for them to showcase their skills to a different audience.”
Of the 32 NFL organizations, each and every one sent a representative to Champaign to take a look at some of the Orange and Blue’s finest.
With names ranging from quarterback Luke Altmyer to defensive back Miles Scott, and even punter Keelan Crimmins, there were guys on all sides of the ball eager to take on what the program dubbed the, “Biggest interview in football.”
Players ran through a variety of drills and workouts, including the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump and other agility tests.
One of the standout performers was offensive lineman Josh Gesky, working out at 310 pounds, which is 25 pounds lighter than what he played his senior season at.
With that weight loss, Gesky said he wants it to serve as a message to teams that he’s comfortable playing at any weight and any position they need him to be in.
As he finished off his last vertical jump attempt, Gesky’s family and friends erupted in cheers, as he finished with an impressive 33 inch jump.
For the offensive lineman, it meant a great deal for his loved ones to be there supporting him.
“It’s awesome to share that success with them, because without them, I wouldn’t be where I am right now,” Gesky said.
Another name to watch come the NFL Draft on April 23-25 will be wide receiver Hank Beatty, who impressed in both the 40-yard dash and vertical jump.
Beatty also thrives as a punt and kick return-specialist, something that his coach thinks will boost his draft stock, alongside his other traits.
“The return game really brings a high value to him,” Bielema said. “His skill set, his intangibles, his football IQ and then his work ethic, I think are going to scream through.”
Bielema mentioned that “two to three” NFL teams have already reached out to him repeatedly about Beatty.
On the defensive side of things, defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. seemed to steal the show.
Thompson tossed up a staggering 36 reps of 225-pounds on the bench press, the most out of any player at the Pro Day.
While taking a step back and analyzing what the moment meant to him, he labeled it as surreal.
“I thought about this as a kid, having an opportunity to go in front of 32 scouts and show how great of an athlete I am, and have my family and friends behind me, it was just a very emotional, very surreal moment,” Thompson said.
That athleticism was put on display even further during later drills, where the defensive linemen and linebackers were testing their agility, and Thompson shone.
By the end of the Pro Day festivities, all eyes turned to Altmyer, who was set to throw 53 total passes in the last exercise of the afternoon.
The former Illini QB1 threw all over the field, hitting medium distance throws down the field, check-downs to running backs out of the backfield and launching deep balls.
Altmyer was also able to flash some of what he does best, his ability to move around in the pocket and deliver clean throws on the run while avoiding pressure.
On his quarterback and the skillset he’s bringing to the next level, Bielema had high praises.
“Luke, in my opinion, throws the ball extremely well, has all the touches, has really good football IQ, is incredibly talented in tough moments,” Bielema said.
With that special day in April quickly approaching, draft day results for the former Illini players are as well.
And while nothing is certain in terms of their future teams, they’ve certainly made a lasting impact here in Champaign.
