Area small college players to participate in scouting combine
More than 40 players — representing 15 NCAA non-Division I colleges and universities in Pennsylvania — will participate in the initial California University of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Football Academy Pro Combine Day Monday at The Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Academy (PISA) in Cheswick.
A handful of local players will take part in the combine including Washington & Jefferson College wide receiver Jesse Zubik and Slippery Rock University quarterback Tanner Garry, who is a Fort Cherry graduate. In addition, six players from California have been invited to the combine, which is being sponsored by AstroTurf, Gatorade and USA Foods.
According to John Luckhardt, former head coach at W&J and California and currently a consultant for AstroTurf, the combine gives the athletes an opportunity to display their talents in good conditions and in front of scouts from the NFL and CFL.
Luckhardt has helped to coordinate the event, contacting schools and coaches throughout the state and working with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ scouting department.
“It gives the young men a chance to perform in good conditions,” Luckhardt said. “Sometimes at pro days the weather isn’t great and performances can be hindered.
“We think it’s kind of neat and gives some athletes a chance in front of professional scouts to show their talent.”
Jenna Plummer, business development and marketing coordinator for PISA, said PISA has worked with the NFL to ensure all rules and regulations are followed and to approve the list of supplies and equipment needed to operate the combine.
“The Steelers have been a huge help,” Plummer said. “Coach Luckhardt has been instrumental in helping get players invited and we’ve also worked with scouts to take care of their needs. The feeling is some of these guys just need an opportunity and we hope this gives them an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Slippery Rock has the largest contingent of players with eight. Other schools being represented in addition to California and W&J, are Bloomsburg, Carnegie Mellon, Clarion, Duquesne, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Gannon, IUP, Kutztown, Robert Morris, Saint Francis and Seton Hill.
Zubik (5-10, 180) was a first-team American Football Coach’s Association All-American and an Associated Press Division III first-team All-American this past year. In addition, he was a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, which goes to the top player in NCAA Division III.
He caught 84 passes in 2017 for 1,408 yards and 17 touchdowns. A Sewickley native, Zubik is a graduate of Avonworth High School.
In 11 starts this past season, Garry (6-2, 215) threw for 3,522 yards with 32 touchdowns and a 61.3 completion percentage. He is the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (4,502) and passing TDs (50).
The Vulcans’ contingent consists of defensive back Vondel Bell, linebacker Mitch Fillmore, receiver Tom Green, quarterback Michael Kier, receiver Luke Smorey and linebacker Cameron Tarver.
The combine will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.