Ignition Announces 2012 NFL Rookie Class

Ignition is proud to announce the 2012 NFL Rookie Class. These rookies will join 80 other NFL Veteran players from Team Ignition currently playing in the National Football League. We would like to congratulate each player, their families, agents, and coaches on a dream come true. 1. John Hughes – Cincinnati, Cleveland Browns (3rd) 2. Andrew Tiller – Syracuse, New Orleans Saints (6th) 3. Winston Guy – Kentucky, Seattle Seahawks (6th) 4. Chas Alecxih – PITT, Miami Dolphins (CFA) 5. Buddy Jackson – PITT, Indianapolis Colts (CFA) 6. Max Gruder – PITT, Atlanta Falcons (CFA) 7. Alfred McCullough – Alabama, Baltimore Ravens (CFA) 8. Justin Francis – Rutgers, New England Patriots (CFA) 9. *Gary Gray – Notre Dame, Detroit Lions 10. Aaron Henry – Rutgers, Oakland Raiders (CFA) 11. Ronnie Sneed – Kentucky, Detroit Lions (CFA) 12. Mike Shaw – Michigan, Washington Redskins (CFA) 13. Ben Bojicic – Bowling Green, Cincinnati Bengals (CFA) 14. Derrius Brooks – Western Kentucky, Cincinnati Bengals (CFA) 15. Chris Givens – Miami of Ohio, New Orleans Saints (CFA) 16. Zach Collaros – Cincinnati, Tampa Bay Bucs (CFA) *Rookie Mini Camp Tryout The following NFL Rookies are currently participating in the Ignition NFL Off-Season Program. These athletes began training in the facility after the NFL Combine. 1. Luke Kuechly – Boston College, Carolina Panthers (1st #9 overall pick) 2. Jerel Worthy – Michigan State, Green Bay Packers (2nd #51 overall pick) 3. Gregg Scruggs – Louisville, Seattle Seahawks (7th) 4. Ben Martin – Tennessee (UFA) 5. *Josh Chichester – Louisville, Cincinnati Bengals

Winston Guy, pick #181, 2012 NFL Draft

Congratulations to Winston Guy, DB from the University of Kentucky,who is headed to the Seattle Seahawks. Guy was the Southeastern Conference’s third-leading tackler with 120 stops last season as a Safety. The Lexington native is the first player from any of the state’s schools to be drafted this year.

Andrew Tiller, Pick #179, 2012 NFL Draft

Congratulations to Andrew Tiller,#TEAMIGNITION, was taken as pick #179 over the weekend at the NFL Draft. Tiller, Syracuse Guard, is headed to the New Orleans Saints. The 6-foot-4, 324-pound Tiller started every game the past two seasons for the Orange and was named first-team All-Big East last season.

Day 3, 2012 NFL DRAFT #TEAMIGNITION

The final day of the 2012 NFL Draft is today, April 28th. Best of luck to #TEAMIGNITION.

JOHN HUGHES, 87TH PICK IN THE 2012 NFL DRAFT #TEAMIGNITION

Browns select Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes in 3rd round of NFL draft. BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have selected Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes in the third round of the NFL draft. Instead of adding depth at wide receiver and passing on some possible targets for new quarterback Brandon Weeden earlier in the round, the Browns traded the No. 67 pick to Denver to drop 20 spots and get Hughes, a 6-foot-2, 309-pound run stopper. (Associated Press / washingtonpost.com)

NFL Draft 2012: Zach Collaros #TeamIgnition #UCBearcats

When the cart came for Zach Collaros on the Paul Brown Stadium field last November, Collaros was pretty sure of a couple things. That his ankle was broken. And that his football career was over. "I cried on the field," Collaros said. "I really thought it was my last time playing football, and it was emotional for me. I love the game. Later when I found out I'd have a chance to come back, I was going to make the most of it. I have to credit our training staff (at the University of Cincinnati) for helping me. "I'm just grateful I got one last chance in the bowl game. After that, I gave it some thought and decided to give this a shot. I didn't want to look back 20 years from now and regret not giving the NFL a go." He's beat the odds before, and his quicker than expected return to start at quarterback in Cincinnati's Liberty Bowl win over Vanderbilt provided a fitting end to a remarkable college career. A guy who had just one other football scholarship offer, from Kent State, and originally planned to play college baseball ended up helping Cincinnati to an unbeaten regular season and Big East title in 2009 and accounting for 57 total touchdowns over his final three seasons. This week marks the start of the next stage of Collaros' career in football, whatever it may be. He's a late-round prospect in the NFL Draft, probably a longshot to be drafted, and hopeful he'll be in some NFL team's rookie minicamp in early May. His future, eventually, is going to be in coaching, but he wants the first headset he wears to be that of an NFL quarterback talking to his offensive coordinator. "Being counted out or not being on top of anybody's draft list, my track record says that's not going to bother me," Collaros said. "I went through the same thing coming out of high school. I've always used it as motivation. Lots of people have doubted my abilities, but I've never been one of them." "I debated back (in December and January) about what was going to be next for me. I've talked to Coach (Butch) Jones about my future and I decided to go through this process. Coach Jones told me this would be a very helpful thing, meeting people and seeing the NFL up close. "This whole thing will be good for me, long term, no matter what happens. But I definitely want to keep playing. Wearing an NFL uniform has always been a dream." Collaros said he'll watch Thursday night's first round of the draft like he always has. By the time Saturday and the final four rounds come he plans to be home in Steubenville, surrounded by friends and family and awaiting whatever call might come his way. From January until Cincinnati's formal pro day in early March, Collaros trained at Ignition at Cincinnati with many of his former UC teammates. Since then, he's been working out on campus, throwing with former Bearcats and current Bengals receivers Armon Binns and Vidal Hazelton. Collaros knows he's a spread-offense, read-option quarterback who's now being evaluated and projected by NFL standards. Though he said he's "probably too slow" to attempt a position change, he's not afraid to put his helmet on and line up wherever he's asked -- just as long as some NFL team will provide the helmet and the chance. He played both quarterback and safety on two state championship teams at Steubenville High School, and he ran for 16 touchdowns in his college career, including 8 last season. He measured at 5-foot-11 and 3/4 at Cincinnati's pro day, and he's weighing anywhere between 216 and 220. He's been in contact with "six or seven teams" over the last month or so, swapping draft-day contact information and throwing to former UC tight end Adrien Robinson in pre-draft workouts when NFL teams have asked. "I don't want to say which teams I've talked to; I don't want to jinx it in case any of them actually like me," he joked. "I just try to stay optimistic and hope for an opportunity. "The scouts I've talked with have been pretty straightforward with me about things. I know I'm a little under 6-foot and that's too small for a lot of teams, but it only takes one. They all know how much I love the game of football. I'm just excited for whatever opportunities football still has for me." (foxsportsohio.com) *Good Luck Zach at the NFL Draft this weekend

NFL Draft: Immokalee's Aaron Henry eager to begin next stage of his life

NAPLES — As a high school player, he shied away from the spotlight while teammates like Javarris James and Brian Rolle were recognized around the country as big-time recruits. On signing day his decision to attend Wisconsin was met with little fanfare locally. But this week, try as he might, 2007 Immokalee High School graduate Aaron Henry can’t hide from the attention. Henry is the only player with Collier County ties likely to be selected in this year’s NFL Draft. But whether he’s selected in the third round or not selected at all, Henry is handling the process with his typical brand of positivity. “No matter where I go I’m in a win-win situation,” Henry said. “How many guys that you know are on the brink of an NFL career? So I don’t worry about projecting about where I’m going to go or anything like that. ... For me it’s going to be like Christmas.” As the defensive back has gone through the draft process, he finds himself in a typical position: overlooked. Despite being projected by many to be a mid-range draft pick, Henry wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine in February. And while a number of teams attended Henry’s pro day in March, he didn’t take any visits to team facilities during the draft process. Henry’s close friend and former IHS teammate Brian Rolle — now of the Philadelphia Eagles — said teams are making the same mistake from their Immokalee days in underestimating Henry’s ability. “Aaron has that desire that every coach wants in a player,” Rolle said. “His skill set is second-to-none, he can go after the ball, play man-to-man, do anything. I see him as a guy that will come in and make the team he plays for better.” Henry spent the first three seasons of his career at Wisconsin playing cornerback before moving to safety for his senior season. ESPN draft guru Todd McShay said Henry’s versatility should help his chances of being selected this weekend. “I think he’s versatile and you when watch him on tape he makes some plays,” McShay said. “He can come up and support the run and when you look at his body of work, his experience playing, I think he can come in and contribute right away on special teams.” Henry’s high school coach at Immokalee, John Weber, said McShay is onto something he’s known since Henry’s sophomore year with the Indians. “Aaron has always been the type of kid that just goes out and does his job,” Weber said. “Whatever you ask him to do, he’s going to do it well and not say anything about it. When he played for us he did so many things, offense, defense, special teams and great attitude to go with it.” Henry credits his grandparents who raised him, Albert and Margaret Lee, for instilling a work ethic in him at a young age. When Henry left his mother’s home to move in with his grandparents at age 9, he was illiterate. In December, he graduated from Wisconsin with a business degree. “My grandfather made sure the lights were on and the bills were paid and kept everything running on the outside,” Henry said. “But inside the house, my grandmother was in charge, she was like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in one when it came to making sure I kept my focus on school and my education.” Rather than hold a draft party at their family home in Immokalee this weekend, Margaret Lee will instead hold a belated graduation party for Henry, who is back in Southwest Florida while he waits to learn his draft fate. “The thing that makes me the proudest is the fact the he finished his degree,” Lee said. “However the draft goes, it doesn’t matter. He has that degree and nobody can ever take that away from him.” Even if Henry isn’t picked, he’s likely to be scooped up as a free agent following the draft. But if for some reason teams don’t show interest, Henry isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket. Only when talking about his life away from football does Henry shed his textbook humbleness. “I think with my credentials and my work ethic I’m going to have success regardless,” Henry said. “A lot times guys are so focused on making the NFL, but when they don’t make it, is that the end? My mind-set has always been there’s more than one way to be millionaire, ... and even if it’s not on the football field, I plan on being a success.” Article posted on Naples Daily News by Woody Wommack *Good luck Aaron Henry on the NFL Draft this weekend

Draft updates. This is a test.

This is a test. We will be publishing updates throughout the draft.

Cincinnati Sports Academy Soccer Team completes IGNITION Training

Over 200 athletes from the CSA Soccer Academy participated in a speed, agility and quickness program at Ignition this winter. The athletes worked out each Monday for 10 weeks with the Performance staff led by Ted Borgerding. We thank CSA for a great group of athletes and we look forward to a strong partnership in the coming years. Stronger, faster, better at Ignition.

Western Kentucky NFL Prospect Derrius Brooks Runs 4.29 at Pro Day

Derrius Brooks who has spent time in Cincinnati at Ignition training for his NFL Pro Day ran a verified 4.29 forty yard dash. His verified 4.29 40 yard dash would rank as the fastest player at the 2012 NFL Combine. Congrats to Derrius on his strong performance. Read the article from wkusports.com on Derrius’s strong performance below.

http://www.wkusports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=28825&SPID=2242&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205394271&DB_OEM_ID=5400

Jackson Shocks NFL Scouts at PITT Panthers Pro Day

Buddy Jackson a Cornerback from Pittsburgh and a 2012 NFL Draft Prospect shocked NFL Scouts and Coaches on Monday March 12th at the annual Panthers Pro Day. Jackson who has spent the last six weeks in training at Ignition APG in Naples Florida made history and broke an all time NFL Combine Record by posting an amazing 11.8 inch broad jump. His forty time of a 4.26 ranks as one of the fastest verified forty times this year. Jackson timed between a 4.26 and a 4,33 on his two runs for scouts. We give thanks to God for the athletic ability that Buddy has been blessed with and we congratulate Buddy on his record breaking accomplishments. Take a look at the improvements Buddy made during his training at Ignition for his NFL Pro Day.


Bodyweight added 11 pounds of lean muscle mass.
Pre Test > 176
Pro Day > 187

Bench Press increased by 11 repetitions.
Pre Test > 6
Pro Day > 15

Vertical Jump increased by three inches.
Pre Test > 37
Post Test > 40

Broad Jump increased by 9 inches.
Pre Test >10.11
Post Test > 11.8 (All Time NFL Combine Record)

40 Yard Dash decreased by nearly two tenths of a second.
Pre Test > 4.45
Post Test > 4.26 (Fastest 40 yard dash of 2012)

Pro Agility decreased by 3.6 tenths of a second.
Pre Test > 4.36
Post Test > 4.00

Road to Pro Football takes a path through SWFL

WINK NEWS TV, Mike Walcher

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- The road to the National Football League is cutting through Southwest Florida. Some top college football players are gathering in Collier County for an intensive training camp. The goal: a better chance at making the NFL.

"Oh man, to come from Immokalee and to have this dream your entire life, and now to have a chance to make it reality, it is utterly amazing," said Aaron Henry, an Immokalee High graduate who played football at the Univ. of Wisconsin. "I want to work on my times and skills and show the NFL coaches what I can do. I am really excited."

Henry and other players are working out six days at week in Collier, under the guidance of Ignition Athletic Performance Group of Ohio.

"I came here to be humble, hard-working and coachable. I am just trying to be the best that I can be," said Buddy Jackson, who played at the Univ. of Pittsburgh.

Agents for the players pay an average of 10-thousand dollars for each young man to participate in the training. The players stay in a hotel in the Naples area and use Jason's deli and a catering service for meals.

"It does help the local economy. We also have the players use local spa's and doctors," said Clif Marshall, who runs the training operation for Ignition. The company pays Collier County for the use of a field at North Collier Regional Park and for weight-lifting access at a building on the park grounds. Players also have access to swimming pools at Barron-Collier High School.

"I am so happy to help these players. If we can cut hundredths of a second off their drill times or their dash times, we can help the young man make a lot of money," said Marshall.

"We train the body, mind and spirit, and it takes determination and discipline to do all those things. But it seems to help the players, who may be anxious about what is going to happen next in their lives," added Marshall.

Many of the players will head to Indianopolis next week for the NFL Combine. That's an event where coaches and scouts interview players and then time their drills and check their strength in lifting weights. The NFL draft occurs in April.

Copy and Paste link for full video: LEE COUNTY, Fla.- The road to the National Football League is cutting through Southwest Florida. Some top college football players are gathering in Collier County for an intensive training camp. The goal: a better chance at making the NFL.

"Oh man, to come from Immokalee and to have this dream your entire life, and now to have a chance to make it reality, it is utterly amazing," said Aaron Henry, an Immokalee High graduate who played football at the Univ. of Wisconsin. "I want to work on my times and skills and show the NFL coaches what I can do. I am really excited."

Henry and other players are working out six days at week in Collier, under the guidance of Ignition Athletic Performance Group of Ohio.

"I came here to be humble, hard-working and coachable. I am just trying to be the best that I can be," said Buddy Jackson, who played at the Univ. of Pittsburgh.

Agents for the players pay an average of 10-thousand dollars for each young man to participate in the training. The players stay in a hotel in the Naples area and use Jason's deli and a catering service for meals.

"It does help the local economy. We also have the players use local spa's and doctors," said Clif Marshall, who runs the training operation for Ignition. The company pays Collier County for the use of a field at North Collier Regional Park and for weight-lifting access at a building on the park grounds. Players also have access to swimming pools at Barron-Collier High School.

"I am so happy to help these players. If we can cut hundredths of a second off their drill times or their dash times, we can help the young man make a lot of money," said Marshall.

"We train the body, mind and spirit, and it takes determination and discipline to do all those things. But it seems to help the players, who may be anxious about what is going to happen next in their lives," added Marshall.

Many of the players will head to Indianopolis next week for the NFL Combine. That's an event where coaches and scouts interview players and then time their drills and check their strength in lifting weights. The NFL draft occurs in April.

Copy and Paste link to see video coverage:
http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2012-02-14/Road-to-Pro-Football-Takes-a-Path-through-SW-Florida

IGNITION athletes are being represented in the 2012 SUPER BOWL!

Congrats to these guys who are on their way to the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. Devin McCourty and Dorin Dickerson, Ignition Draft Class 2010. Glory to GOD!

Ignition athlete and Bengal standout is headed to the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl

Bengals Defensive Tackle Geno Atkins is going to the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl. We are glad he is enjoying the fruits of his labor from his hard work in the off season. Praise GOD!