Athletes test skills at combine

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By Steve Batterson | Wednesday, July 09, 2008 |

There’s more to catching the attention of college recruiters than glossy highlights, good grades and strong character.

Recruiters want athletes with the skills to compete, and the pursuit of scholarships leads many athletes to combines such as the one Acceleration Quad-Cities hosted in mid-June at its location at the Bettendorf Life Fitness Center.

There, athletes learned about nutrition and were put through a number of physical tests.

Their vertical jumps and their strength on the weights were tested, and their 40-yard dash times and cone drills were recorded.

Athletes had the opportunity to have the results forwarded to colleges and their high school coaches if they desired.

About 45 athletes from high schools within a 50-mile radius of the Quad-Cities participated.

Brion Coleman of Davenport North was among them.

“This is the first time I’ve done something like this, but I learned a lot and found out a few things I need to work on,’’ Coleman said. “It was a good experience. I’d like to be able to play football at the next level, and I need to go through things like this to get my name out there and to prepare.’’

It’s a changing part of the recruiting game.

Former Northern Iowa defensive end Ryan Arnold and former Iowa and Nebraska running back Marques Simmons work together at the Acceleration program, one of two Quad-City businesses that provide individual training opportunities to improve skills.

The organization’s combine was designed to simulate what potential college football players will be tested for once they reach the college level.

“There wasn’t a lot of this type of thing out there for high school players when I was coming up,’’ said Simmons, a 1999 Davenport North graduate. “There were always camps, but this is a little different. We’re happy to send the results out for guys, and if they aren’t happy with one particular mark, there are things they can do to improve.

“They can get faster, stronger, jump higher, and programs are designed to help them with that whether they are playing football or volleyball or whatever the sport.’’

Arnold, who graduated from North Scott in 2000, said athletes who have pursued advanced training at an earlier age help themselves.

“That’s evolved a bit even since I was their age,’’ Arnold said. “There is a science involved, and a lot of athletes are becoming more in tune with allowing that to help them.’’

Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com.

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