Colorado State University Athletics
Onyechi Uses Pro Day to Show All He Can
3/31/2023 12:40:00 PM | Football
NFL scouts watch 12 Rams workout on Friday
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – To keep the dream alive, CJ Onyechi was more than willing to try something new.
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"That's it and I think I had a good showing today," Onyechi said at the close of Colorado State football's pro day. "The future is bright, and I'm glad we finally got through pro day."
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On Friday, 12 former players – including Jamal Hicks and Marshaun Cameron from previous seasons – worked out for NFL scouts, with all of it put on video to send to player development departments in the NFL, USFL and XFL. Unlike a season ago when Trey McBride as a sure-fire pick, this group all entered with the same goal, the hope they could attract the interest of at least one team.
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Which is why Onyechi, a defensive end last year, took part in linebacker and even fullback drills. It was the fullback routes he ran (with Clay Millen throwing the ball to him), which raised some eyebrows from his former teammates.
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He hadn't told any of them, and it led to a few fun comments, but they all told him he looked smooth.
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"It was really my idea," Onyechi said. "I felt like I could show my athleticism that way, show them that I'm willing to do whatever to help an NFL team get to where they want to go. I think it was important for me to let them know I could do whatever they want me to.
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"It was fun. My training process was very cool back in New Jersey. They taught me how to do that type of stuff, and I looked crisp out here. I owe it all to them."
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Onyechi moved back home to New Jersey to start working out, scheduling everything out of his own home. He described the preparation as mentally challenging as there wasn't anybody looking over his shoulder to get work done, it was all on him.
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Offensive linemen Gray Davis, Dante Bivens and Dontae Keys worked out, as did linebackers Cam'Ron Carter, Dequan Jackson and Brandon Hickerson-Rooks. Defensive backs Greg Laday, Cameron and Hicks participated, as did specialists Michael Boyle and Jacob Raab. Boyle kicked and Raab snapped at the stadium after the initial measurements and lifts were done, then the process moved to the indoor practice facility for some further testing and position drills.
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It was all the way Carter remembered.
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"I've been watching this stuff since my freshman year, since (Josh Watson) and Tre Thomas worked out. I've been waiting for this moment my whole career here," Carter said. "I guess you could say I knew what to expect. I'm happy. I feel like I could have done better, but I feel I did the things I needed to do.
Â
"All I need is just one team to believe in me and trust in me. I just need one team."
Â
To increase his chances, Onyechi figured he'd put all he could on display. He understands NFL scouts may see him differently than the hand-in-the-dirt rusher he was for the Rams when he produced 58 tackles, 9.0 for loss and 3.5 sacks.
He's fine with that, and he wants to prove he can be whatever they see in him.
Â
"I was a three-down (end), my hand in the dirt. Teams usually don't see me as that in the NFL, which is understandable, but I wanted to show I can do that," he said. "I want to show I perfectly fit a 3-4 defense as an edge rusher, and that's also why I did the fullback bit, just to show my athleticism. They know that edge guys should have that type of athleticism."
Â
He just wants options. He, like the rest of them, hope to get more opportunities. They'll all continue to train leading up to the draft, and should they not hear their name, to later get a call for a camp invite. Prior to that, teams host local workouts, and invites to those are cherished.
Â
And should somebody call to say they have interest in Onyechi as a fullback, he'll jump at the chance.
Â
"It definitely would be like amazing," he said. "I'd be like, if I didn't do that, what would have happened? If I do get that call, I will be ready."
Â
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"That's it and I think I had a good showing today," Onyechi said at the close of Colorado State football's pro day. "The future is bright, and I'm glad we finally got through pro day."
Â
On Friday, 12 former players – including Jamal Hicks and Marshaun Cameron from previous seasons – worked out for NFL scouts, with all of it put on video to send to player development departments in the NFL, USFL and XFL. Unlike a season ago when Trey McBride as a sure-fire pick, this group all entered with the same goal, the hope they could attract the interest of at least one team.
Â
Which is why Onyechi, a defensive end last year, took part in linebacker and even fullback drills. It was the fullback routes he ran (with Clay Millen throwing the ball to him), which raised some eyebrows from his former teammates.
Â
He hadn't told any of them, and it led to a few fun comments, but they all told him he looked smooth.
Â
"It was really my idea," Onyechi said. "I felt like I could show my athleticism that way, show them that I'm willing to do whatever to help an NFL team get to where they want to go. I think it was important for me to let them know I could do whatever they want me to.
Â
"It was fun. My training process was very cool back in New Jersey. They taught me how to do that type of stuff, and I looked crisp out here. I owe it all to them."
Â
Onyechi moved back home to New Jersey to start working out, scheduling everything out of his own home. He described the preparation as mentally challenging as there wasn't anybody looking over his shoulder to get work done, it was all on him.
Â
Offensive linemen Gray Davis, Dante Bivens and Dontae Keys worked out, as did linebackers Cam'Ron Carter, Dequan Jackson and Brandon Hickerson-Rooks. Defensive backs Greg Laday, Cameron and Hicks participated, as did specialists Michael Boyle and Jacob Raab. Boyle kicked and Raab snapped at the stadium after the initial measurements and lifts were done, then the process moved to the indoor practice facility for some further testing and position drills.
Â
It was all the way Carter remembered.
Â
"I've been watching this stuff since my freshman year, since (Josh Watson) and Tre Thomas worked out. I've been waiting for this moment my whole career here," Carter said. "I guess you could say I knew what to expect. I'm happy. I feel like I could have done better, but I feel I did the things I needed to do.
Â
"All I need is just one team to believe in me and trust in me. I just need one team."
Â
To increase his chances, Onyechi figured he'd put all he could on display. He understands NFL scouts may see him differently than the hand-in-the-dirt rusher he was for the Rams when he produced 58 tackles, 9.0 for loss and 3.5 sacks.
He's fine with that, and he wants to prove he can be whatever they see in him.
Â
"I was a three-down (end), my hand in the dirt. Teams usually don't see me as that in the NFL, which is understandable, but I wanted to show I can do that," he said. "I want to show I perfectly fit a 3-4 defense as an edge rusher, and that's also why I did the fullback bit, just to show my athleticism. They know that edge guys should have that type of athleticism."
Â
He just wants options. He, like the rest of them, hope to get more opportunities. They'll all continue to train leading up to the draft, and should they not hear their name, to later get a call for a camp invite. Prior to that, teams host local workouts, and invites to those are cherished.
Â
And should somebody call to say they have interest in Onyechi as a fullback, he'll jump at the chance.
Â
"It definitely would be like amazing," he said. "I'd be like, if I didn't do that, what would have happened? If I do get that call, I will be ready."
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