Baker and Baranowsky highlight Pro Day
Posted on March 20, 2008
The ultimate goal of many collegiate level football players’ careers is to leave school with the opportunity to play in the NFL. On Wednesday, three JMU football players took one step further towards achieving that goal.
Along with athletes from Bridgewater, VMI and Ferrum, JMU wide receiver L.C. Baker, defensive tackle John Baranowsky and linebacker Justin Barnes participated in Pro Day at Bridgeforth Stadium. Players were performing for scouts from the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants with the hope of one day earning the chance to play for an NFL team.
“Getting in the NFL is like attracting a boyfriend or girlfriend,” JMU coach Mickey Matthews said. “It only takes one team to like you. 31 teams could not like you, but if one team does, you have a good opportunity.”
The athletes were evaluated based on their performances in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and 225-pound bench press rep, other things.
Highlights included a 4.38 40 time from Baker, and Baranowsky’s 28 reps on the bench press.
Given the rainy conditions on Wednesday, Baker’s time was even more impressive.
The 5-foot-7 wideout was hurt for the majority of the 2007 season. He needed and used the Pro Day as an opportunity to show scouts what he could not throughout his senior year.
Along with his injury, Baker has had to battle questions about his size at the pro level throughout his career.
“I feel my speed really makes up for a lot of my size,” Baker, who weighed in at 161 pounds prior to the workout, said. “There are guys that may be about three inches taller or more than me, so I don’t think its gonna overweigh that equation completely, but speed I think takes up for that.”
While Baker made noise on the field, Baranowsky left his mark in the weight room. His 28 reps were tops in the field, and his 32-inch vertical was comparable to those of smaller, quicker receivers and backs.
“Overall, I felt pretty well,” the 6-foot-3, 286 pound defensive tackle said. “Basically, you get out there for several months and put the work in and you hope that it will all go well today. I think overall it did.”
Baranowsky continues to work in hopes for a call from an NFL team in April.
“From here on out I’m definitely gonna pursue the NFL,” he said. “That’s definitely the dream, and I’m gonna pursue it to the fullest.”
But if the NFL doesn’t work out, he would be content with any professional football league.
“If things don’t work out and other things present themselves, like Arena and Canada, that’s also pretty high in my book,” Baranowsky said. “I think the fact to just be paid to play football is a dream in itself too.”
