The NAC Blog

After weeks of uncertainty, we at National Athletic Combine are honing in on a date and a site for our next two combines in Central Texas (greater Austin) and South Texas (greater Houston).

“The challenge has been finding venues that have turf,” said John Paul Young, Sr., one of the directors of NAC. “We’ve visited several sites, but unless the facility has a high school team practicing there regularly or an arena team playing there, turf is hard to find.”

Young said one site he checked on Wednesday in the Houston area had been converted into a weight room, while two others were very impressive sites but lacked availability in May as well as turf. He said there is one more venue that could easily host an NAC event that is under consideration, but discussions are still ongoing there. 

“We’ll keep looking,” he said. “We’re hoping to get something done in Houston in early- to mid-May.”

As for Austin, he said April 11 is the date NAC is focusing on, and he said he felt certain that date would hold. He added that both Austin and Houston are set to be one-day combines on Sundays, as was NAC’s last event at Permian High School in Odessa.

Stay tuned to The NAC Blog for more details.

We have just posted photo galleries from our three most recent combines in Kilgore, Prosper, and Odessa. Check them out!

James Madison University offensive guard Dorian Brooks notched one of the fastest 40 times among offensive linemen at the National Invitational Combine in Indianapolis last weekend with a time of 5.16 seconds. However, when it came to the vertical jump, he (and the other 300-plus players invited to Indy) found himself a little outsmarted.

For years, players have been taught a trick to help add a couple inches to their vertical jump totals. Before jumping, each athlete is required to extend his arms into the air over his head, at which time his total reach is measured and the VJ measurement apparatus is adjusted. Players are trained to hold their arms tight to their shoulders when extending them skyward, which serves to inhibit the full extension of the arms and, thus, make it appear as though his arms aren’t as long as they appear to be. The lower measurement is followed by a lower setting on the stick, making it appear that he’s jumping higher.

However, in Indianapolis, players were asked to measure their total wingspan on a wall tape well before attempting the jump. This precluded them from inhibiting the full extension of their arms. It results in a truer measure of vertical jumping ability.

“They were ready for us,” laughed Brooks.

Wake Forest cornerback Brandon Ghee proved he’s a physical specimen today in Indianapolis. He clocked a 4.45 in the 40, the second-fastest time among defensive backs, while also springing to a 10′7” broad jump and notching 15 reps on the bench.

However, he’s more than just a pure athlete. He’s also a thinking man’s player.

Last weekend, a week before National Athletic Combine travels to Permian for its West Texas event, Ghee expounded on what it takes to get to the college level while a prep athlete.

“Stay focused,” he said. “A lot of people want to get into weight training and do this and take that supplement. Just stay focused and enjoy your time in high school just play your best.

“They are going to find you. They are going to watch your film and if you are doing your best and if you think you’re good enough, you are going to make it.”

National Athletic Combine goes to the Permian High School Indoor Facility, 1800 East 42nd Street, Odessa, TX 79762, for its West Texas Regional Combine. The event will be Saturday and Sunday, with registration starting at 7 a.m. both days and workouts starting at 8 a.m.

For more details, visit www.nationalathleticcombine.com. We hope to see you there!

Don’t forget to pre-register online for the upcoming West Texas Regional in at the Odessa Permian Indoor Practice Facility. Invites have been distributed via your school coaching staff. Have your letter and invitation number ready and click here to pre-register.