Ignition has back to back picks in the second round of 2009 NFL Draft.
Connor Barwin of UC and Mike Mitchell of Ohio U, who both trained for eight weeks at Ignition to prepare for the NFL scouting combine and pro day, were selected with back to back picks in the second round on the first day of the 2009 NFL Draft. These guys helped themselves by having great post season workouts for the scouts and coaches. Barwin (4.47- 40yd dash) went number 46 overall pick to Houston and Mitchell (4.43- 40 yd dash) went with the number 47 pick to Oakland. Mike Mitchell, who was projected as a 7th round to Priority Free Agent by draft guru Mel Kiper, shocked ESPN commentators on camera when Oakland took him in the second. “Praise God, I am so humbled and gracious. I am about to cry man” These were the words out of Mitchell’s mouth just moments after the pick. Catch Mike and I on 1530 Homer the Sports Animal on Tuesday at 8am as we discuss this awesome experience with Alan Cutler.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Ignition Draft Prospects workout for Bengals!
Safeties Mike Mitchell and Marcus McClinton after a tough workout at Ignition.
Ignition Draft Prospects “show off” for Bengals
Nine Draft Prospects that trained at Ignition this winter worked out at the annual Bengals Local Day on Tuesday April 14th for coaches, scouts, and management. Take a look at how some of the guys performed by reading the article below written by Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com
Even Clif Marshall, the head of Ignition Gym in Blue Ash, Ohio who has trained Wood and several other players that showed Tuesday, is trying to guess along. He knows the Bengals like his prized pupil, UC tight end/defensive end/SAM linebacker backer/WILL linebacker backer Connor Barwin, but enough to take him in the second round at No. 38? "And I'm not sure which position they'd take him at," Marshall said.
And how many centers will go in the first two rounds? While Kiper has Wood coming off the board first, some have California's Alex Mack going first and others have Oregon's Max Unger going first. "I think it all depends on when the first center goes, whether it's Max or Alex or me," Wood said. "If it's late in the first round, then I think we'll all go pretty quickly. I hope I go to a tough team like Cincinnati. Actually, I think any team in the AFC North would be a good fit."
At 6-3, 310 pounds, Wood has flashed that he's got plenty of muscle to duel with 3-4 nose tackles, but he also showed in the Senior Bowl for the first time in his life that he can play guard. So did, for that matter, Mack and Unger, two guys that actually played for the Bengals coaches in Mobile. "I tell teams," Wood said, "if you don't think of me as the No. 1 center, then think of me as the No. 1 guard."
Kiper could be playing the Pittsburgh hunch because Steelers offensive line coach Larry Zierlein visited Wood at Louisville. Wood is just waiting. "You know how that goes. Would they take an interior lineman 32nd? I don't know," he said.
He certainly was comfortable Tuesday. "Everywhere I turned, I knew somebody," Wood said.
There was Bengals linebacker Brandon Johnson, a former Louisville teammate. There was Bengals quarterback Jordan Palmer, who shares the same agents. There was Mickens, the former state playoff for. "That guy cracks me up," Wood said. "He's a funny guy." The guy cracking everybody up is Barwin, projected by Kiper to be the second pick in the second round to New England. OURLADS Scouting Services sends Barwin to the Eagles at No. 28 in the first round. What Marshall knows is he's putting Barwin on the cover of next year's brochure. The guy on this year's cover, Purdue linebacker Stanford Keglar, came out of nowhere to dominate the combine drills and ended up going from a possible free agent to a fourth-round pick of the Titans. Under Marshall’s guidance, Keglar concentrated on six drills: the 225-pound bench press, the 40-yard dash, the 20-yard shuttle, the L cone, vertical jump and broad jump. Marshall says Keglar led five of the six categories, just like Barwin did. But Barwin already had the scouts buzzing at the Senior Bowl with his athleticism and versatility a month before the combine. "I don't think they go off the drills," Marshall said of the pro scouts. "But I think the drills make them go back and look at you on film." Marshall thinks a perfect example of that is another one of his guys that showed Tuesday. Ohio University safety Mike Mitchell, out of Fort Thomas, Ky., didn't get invited to the combine but he covered the six drills so well at his Pro Day that he's making a Keglar-like climb. Maybe he didn't get invited to Indianapolis in February, but the Colts brought him to Indy to check him out, as did the Bears, and the Raiders are next. This is a guy Kiper rated as the 73rd safety.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Training Experience at Ignition
At Ignition, we care about all of our athletes and how they feel about the training experience. Take a look at what some of these NFL Prospects are saying about the training program they took part in this winter at Ignition.
Andrew Means – IU Hoosiers
“Ignition is the place to be if you want to take your skills to another level. The program was a 5 STAR and I liked the intense workouts. I made huge improvements in every aspect of the combine drills. I ran my fastest forty ever at a 4.3 and was in the best shape as well. I really liked the fact that they build character as well and it was a chance to grow spiritually as an athlete.”
Adrian Grady – U of L Cardinals
“I worked with Clif when he was on the staff at Louisville and I had a good feeling about the Ignition program because of the success that my former teammates Nate Harris, Brian Brohm and Lamar Myles had when they trained in Cincinnati. Within a 3 week period of intense workouts – I shaved time in my agility drills and forty yard dash and I am know ready to show it off at the 2009 NFL Combine.”
Marcus McClinton – UK Wildcats
“I really enjoyed the family atmosphere at Ignition. Thanks to my training at Ignition, I was prepared for the 2009 NFL combine. I tested among the best safeties in Indianapolis and I owe a great deal to Clif and his staff at Ignition.”
Eron Riley – Duke Blue Devils
“The time I spent at Ignition was very worthwhile. I liked that the staff that was very knowledgeable on all the drills. It wasn’t overcrowded and I really enjoyed the individual attention that I received. I ran a 4.3 and jumped a 40 inch vertical, which are my all time best on my Pro Day. Thanks to Ignition APG, I really improved my chances to be a draft pick in 2009.”
Mike Mitchell – OU Bobcats
“Ignition was the best place I could have trained to maximize my full potential. The methods and philosophies that are used for speed, agility and strength, in combination with individualized attention make Ignition the place to train. Anyone who is serious about performing at their best at the NFL Combine and Pro Days needs to train at with these guys.”
Mike Mickens – UC Bearcats
“I could have trained in the warm weather of California or Florida for the NFL Combine but I chose to train in Cincinnati with Clif instead. It was one of the best decisions I have made in my career. I felt more comfortable with his program at Ignition and under his eyes I saw a great deal of progress and was able to perform great in front of the NFL scouts and coaches.”
Connor Barwin – UC Bearcats
“Getting prepared for the NFL Combine at Ignition with Clif and Ted was one of the most important and best decisions in my life. Everyday the staff went above and beyond to get the most out of me. They made me feel confident and comfortable in all of my drills. I am eternally grateful to them for putting me in a great situation for the next stage in my career. I must say after working with Clif, Ted and the rest of the team at Ignition, they are genuine and great people and they will be friends for life.”
Andrew Means – IU Hoosiers
“Ignition is the place to be if you want to take your skills to another level. The program was a 5 STAR and I liked the intense workouts. I made huge improvements in every aspect of the combine drills. I ran my fastest forty ever at a 4.3 and was in the best shape as well. I really liked the fact that they build character as well and it was a chance to grow spiritually as an athlete.”
Adrian Grady – U of L Cardinals
“I worked with Clif when he was on the staff at Louisville and I had a good feeling about the Ignition program because of the success that my former teammates Nate Harris, Brian Brohm and Lamar Myles had when they trained in Cincinnati. Within a 3 week period of intense workouts – I shaved time in my agility drills and forty yard dash and I am know ready to show it off at the 2009 NFL Combine.”
Marcus McClinton – UK Wildcats
“I really enjoyed the family atmosphere at Ignition. Thanks to my training at Ignition, I was prepared for the 2009 NFL combine. I tested among the best safeties in Indianapolis and I owe a great deal to Clif and his staff at Ignition.”
Eron Riley – Duke Blue Devils
“The time I spent at Ignition was very worthwhile. I liked that the staff that was very knowledgeable on all the drills. It wasn’t overcrowded and I really enjoyed the individual attention that I received. I ran a 4.3 and jumped a 40 inch vertical, which are my all time best on my Pro Day. Thanks to Ignition APG, I really improved my chances to be a draft pick in 2009.”
Mike Mitchell – OU Bobcats
“Ignition was the best place I could have trained to maximize my full potential. The methods and philosophies that are used for speed, agility and strength, in combination with individualized attention make Ignition the place to train. Anyone who is serious about performing at their best at the NFL Combine and Pro Days needs to train at with these guys.”
Mike Mickens – UC Bearcats
“I could have trained in the warm weather of California or Florida for the NFL Combine but I chose to train in Cincinnati with Clif instead. It was one of the best decisions I have made in my career. I felt more comfortable with his program at Ignition and under his eyes I saw a great deal of progress and was able to perform great in front of the NFL scouts and coaches.”
Connor Barwin – UC Bearcats
“Getting prepared for the NFL Combine at Ignition with Clif and Ted was one of the most important and best decisions in my life. Everyday the staff went above and beyond to get the most out of me. They made me feel confident and comfortable in all of my drills. I am eternally grateful to them for putting me in a great situation for the next stage in my career. I must say after working with Clif, Ted and the rest of the team at Ignition, they are genuine and great people and they will be friends for life.”
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