LI football coaches rave about new combine

BY ADAM RONIS | adam.ronis@newsday.com

April 30, 2008

Almost every high school football coach on Long Island says they have a player who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. Sure, and Chad Pennington can throw the ball 80 yards.

However, recruiters will no longer need to rely on the word of coaches. Blue Chip Prospects, in conjunction with the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association, will hold a combine for Long Island football players that will play varsity for the upcoming season. The event will be held Saturday, May 17, at the PAL Football Complex in Holbrook.

The fee is $95 per player. Players can register at www.bluechipprospects.com.

The combine will test strength, speed and athletic ability, including 40-yard times, bench press and broad jump.

"Long Island football seems to be behind as far as recruiting is concerned," said Hans Wiederkehr, president of the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association. "What makes this special is Blue Chips is going to be recording video of the whole thing. Now, colleges can watch kids do the drills. It's being run by a neutral party and now all the information is legit."

All colleges will have access to the information. Division I coaches are prohibited from attending due to NCAA rules, but Division II and III coaches will be present.

"The colleges now have access to see a video and get stats on a kid," Floyd coach Paul Longo said. "It showcases our players more. It's a way to get official times and data to help the kids. Long Island football is held back because we don't play in the state tournament. When you win a state championship, it brings attention to the players."

The combine should bolster football recruitment. Unlike most sports, football players don't get to play in the offseason. That's the time when they're lifting weights and training for the season.

Meanwhile, basketball players can measure themselves against upper-echelon competition from around the country in AAU leagues. Now, football players can be compared to other states with factual information.

"Other parts of the country have been doing this," Glenn coach David Shanahan said. "If a recruiter sees a kid with a legit 4.5, he's worth recruiting. You can open up some eyes if you do real well. It gives kids a goal to work for. It's all about being faster, bigger and stronger in all sports today."

Shanahan pointed to Glenn junior wide receiver/defensive end Malcolm Eugene as an example of a player that could be recruited more by the exposure of the combine. He has received interest from several colleges, including Hofstra, but with a good performance at the combine, could attract even more interest.

Wantagh coach Keith Sachs has sent players to combines out of state. He often has had to write two or three letters just to get them invited.

"They're barely sending recruiters out this way," he said. "We have to do something. Not enough kids go to combines. If they score well here, maybe they'll get invited to some of the bigger ones."

Said St. Anthony's coach Rich Reichert, "I think it was long overdue. It gives kids an idea of where they are at and where they need to get to. I hope the kids take advantage of it."