Recap: Football Hosts NFL Pro Day

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Nine Central Michigan football players participated in a series of workouts and tests in front of 29 National Football League scouts at CMU's annual NFL Pro Day Wednesday at CMU's Indoor Athletic Complex.

Chippewas players taking part in the workout included wide receiver Carlos Carriere, wide receiver Dallas Dixon, defensive lineman Thomas Incoom, defensive back Ronald Kent Jr., offensive lineman Jamezz Kimbrough, running back Lew Nichols III, offensive lineman Jeremy Saddler, defensive lineman John Wesley Whiteside, and tight end Joel Wilson. In addition, defensive back Devonni Reed, who played four years for CMU from 2017-21 and played his final year of eligibility at South Carolina, came back to join his former CMU teammates in the workout.

Organized by NFL personnel and CMU Director of Strength and Conditioning Joel Wilson, the event began with weight room testing including a flex test, vertical jump, and bench press. Testing was followed by an open field session which included the broad jump, 40-yard dash, pro shuttle and L Drill. Players then went through position-specific drills and exercises.

Dixon, Nichols, and Wilson all are coming off injuries that hampered them during the 2022 season and it was an opportunity for Chippewas fans to see those players at 100 percent.

The national FBS leader in rushing in 2021, Nichols went through NFL Pro Day after battling through various injuries during the 2022 season.

"I'm excited to show the scouts what I can do, what I've been working on, and what I've been doing since I was a little kid," Nichols said. "I had my own personal success, but I couldn't have achieved what I did without my teammates. Central Michigan is a great place, a great team. I've learned so much from the great coaches and teammates I've played with. I just finished my education. It was a great place for me. The last four years here has been wonderful."

Gallery: (3-15-2023) CMU Football Pro Day

Wilson is another player who was injured late in the 2022 season and missed the last three games. Before the injury, he ranked No. 2 among national tight ends in receptions and receiving yards.

"I feel great," said Wilson. "It's been a long process coming off the injury. It was frustrating to get hurt. Today, I was out there running routes, I felt normal, I had a couple of slipups, but I feel good right now."

"I'm grateful to be surrounded by so many great people," Wilson said. "I've just been soaking up all the knowledge that I can, keeping my head down and working, and having the right mentality. If you have the right people around you, surrounded by great coaches and great people around here, great role models and great leaders on the team, you can do anything you put your mind to."

For Incoom, it was his third and final opportunity in front of NFL scouts as he played in the Reese's Senior Bowl and competed at the NFL Combine earlier this month.

"Those were both positive learning experiences," Incoom said. "I was blessed enough to have an invite to both situations and I feel like I made the best out of both of those experiences."

"To hear my name called in the NFL Draft would be a dream come true. I just need an opportunity to get in and show them what Thomas Incoom is all about and show them what kind of player Central Michigan produces."

Dixon missed the majority of the 2022 season with an injury. He was back to 100 percent on Wednesday.

"Coming off the injury with only two months of work, I put up great numbers today," Dixon said. "This is a blessing and a great opportunity to be here and compete in front of NFL scouts. I'm a hard worker and you're going to get an ambitious person."

Central Michigan's four-year starting center Kimbrough has worked hard for the last couple of months.

"I put a lot of work in for this one day," Kimbrough said. "I'm happy to be able to see my teammates and my coaches and put my best foot forward in front of the scouts. It was a great opportunity and a great experience. Every game here at Central Michigan was a blessing, I'm thankful and I wouldn't take anything back."

The 2023 NFL Draft is slated for April 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo.

Central Michigan opens spring practice for its 2023 football season on Sunday, March 19. The Chippewas will practice 15 times and hold several scrimmages between Sunday, March 19 and Friday, April 14. More information on spring ball will be announced later this week.

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