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USD

USD running back J.T. Rogan has been sharing a journal with 619 Sports of his training for NFL Pro Day.  This weekend, J.T. participated in a pro day at USD, and he will do so again at SDSU next weekend.  In his latest journal post, J.T. talks about the NFL Combine and how his training has prepared him for these key dates:

The NFL scouting combine and the pro days that collegiate football players have are unique events. As was documented by the NFL network, how fast somebody runs, how high they jump, how quick somebody is can really be fascinating coverage. All over America, any college football player that aspires to play professionally understands that he must undergo extensive athletic testing either at the NFL combine, a pro day or at both.
There is a terrific amount of hype surrounding the entire process. The elite athletes tell NFL teams what drills they will and won’t be performing at these extravaganzas and how much money they’d like to make when they are officially welcomed into the NFL. The combine and the pro day act as one huge sales pitch for anyone trying to make it big.
The argument is often made against the importance of the 40 yard dash, “When do you ever run 40 yards in a straight line?” To the NFL decision makers (i.e. scouts, GMs, etc.) the more appropriate question is “Who runs 40 yards fastest in a straight line?” The NFL is a business and it is about job security as a player and it is about job security as an executive. It is difficult to draft, support and/or employ players that don’t perform as well statistically as others. There are players like Chris Johnson where people can point to the combine. He ran fast and he still runs fast, to the tune of over 2,000 yards in a season. However, for every Chris Johnson there is a Darrius Heyward-Bey. Sometimes you just won’t know how good a football player is until he puts on the pads.
I watched the NFL combine paying particular attention to the running backs, and this year’s class appears to be average in its depth of talent. Below are the primary tests at the NFL combine, where 31 running backs participated. The best performance is listed along with the minimum performance necessary to finish in the top 1/3 of running backs at that given drill. My projected numbers are listed as well.
Drill Fastest Top Third My Projection
40 yard Dash 4.35 sec. (C.J, Spiller) 4.58 sec. 4.60
Bench Press 26 Reps (Lonyae Miller) 18 Reps 13 Reps
Vertical Jump 41 in. (Montario Hardesty) 36 in. 32 in.
Broad Jump 10’4” (Montario Hardesty) 9’10” 9’0”
3 Cone Drill 6.75 sec. (Jahvid Best) 6.98 sec. 6.80 sec.
20 yard Shuttle 4.06 sec. (Dexter McCluster) 4.33 sec. 4.20 sec.
I have done all that I can do to prepare myself for my opportunity. I trained relentlessly and with focus. My uncle, Sean Karl Rogan, has reinvested in me as he always does so as to allow me to reach new maximums for my strength. For the record, Sean ended up benchpressing 225 lbs. 22 times placing him neatly in the top 3 for running backs and making him stronger than every quarterback and wide receiver in the draft.
I will actually be performing these tests at our pro day, Mar. 5th at the University of San Diego and then again at San Diego State University at their pro day on Mar. 12th. SDSU receives a better turnout of NFL scouts so attending both is beneficial.
The Chargers are low on running backs and here’s to hoping they can find one in their own backyard.

Pro Day 2009The NFL scouting combine and the pro days that collegiate football players have are unique events. As was documented by the NFL network, how fast somebody runs, how high they jump, how quick somebody is can really be fascinating coverage. All over America, any college football player that aspires to play professionally understands that he must undergo extensive athletic testing either at the NFL combine, a pro day or at both.

There is a terrific amount of hype surrounding the entire process. The elite athletes tell NFL teams what drills they will and won’t be performing at these extravaganzas and how much money they’d like to make when they are officially welcomed into the NFL. The combine and the pro day act as one huge sales pitch for anyone trying to make it big. Continue Reading →

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Red And Black Comeback Leaves USD Blue

by Craig on March 1, 2010

Mitch Blackburn (SDSU photo)

Mitch Blackburn (SDSU photo)

LINDA VISTA–Down 4-0 in the 7th, and having been shut out for their last 16 innings, the San Diego State Aztecs rediscovered their offense at just the right time.  The Aztecs scored four in the 7th and five in the 9th to cap a dramatic comeback at Cunningham Stadium, rallying past the 19th ranked USD Toreros for a 9-5 victory.

“I’m proud of our guys,” said head coach Tony Gwynn after the game, “they hung in there.  It would have been easy to hang their heads after punching out (11) times, but they didn’t, they hung in there, and got some big hits in the 7th and 9th innings.”

USD starter Kyle Blair had the Aztecs twisted in knots through six, striking out 10 batters, with six caught looking.  Even worse for SDSU, Blair walked four batters and hit another but none of those runners had come around to score.

The Toreros had built a 4-0 lead on a pair of run scoring hits by James Meador and some solid fundamental baseball.  The Aztecs turned the game, and weekend series, around with big hits and great relief pitching.

Read more, and hear interviews with Tony Gwynn and Mitch Blackburn, after the jump:

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Toreros Blank Aztecs To Even Series

February 27, 2010

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After a thrilling Aztecs win in Thursday’s game one of the cross-town rivalry, the Toreros fought back in a tough pitchers duel to record the 2-0 victory on Friday.
USD got a big game out of top lefty pitcher Sammy Solis in the game-two victory of the “Black and Blue Series” that has thus far lived [...]

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Reed Finishes What He Starts as SDSU Beats USD, 5-2

February 26, 2010
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Retiring the side in order in the ninth, striking out the final two hitters, Reed put the finishing touches on a complete-game four-hitter — in just his second college start — as SDSU finished off 19th-ranked USD, 5-2, at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

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PING! College Baseball Is Back!

February 19, 2010
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SDSU is coming off their first regional appearance in 17 years, while USD opens the season in the Top 25 and with hopes of returning to the NCAAs this year. Craig and Chris preview the SDSU and USD seasons in this new podcast:

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Brandon Johnson: Old Young Man

February 18, 2010

ShareBrandon Johnson came back from a major achilles injury to play a 5th year with the Toreros.  In the process he has become USD’s all-time leading scorer, but a 9-18 season has put a sour edge to what should be a season of celebration.  Brandon joined 619 Sports after USD practice at Jenny Craig Pavilion [...]

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A Tough Year For Bill Grier

February 17, 2010
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After Toreros’ practice on Wednesday, USD basketball coach Grier sat down courtside with 619 Sports’ Craig Elsten to talk about the season, the challenges facing the USD program, and how he personally holds up amidst the losing:

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Frank Burlison Talks College Hoops

February 16, 2010
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Will SDSU find its way into the NCAA Tournament this year? College basketball Hall of Fame writer Frank Burlison joins 619 Sports to talk about each of our local teams.

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Gwynn Opening Season With Changes

February 12, 2010
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ShareThe college baseball season is one week away from getting started, with San Diego State hosting Oklahoma and Indiana coming to play USD on February 19th.  On Tuesday, Tony Gwynn and Rich Hill joined 619 Sports’ Craig Elsten on the stage for the Hall of Champions’ Sports at Lunch banquet.
Gwynn announced major changes for a [...]

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J.T. Rogan’s NFL Training Journal: Getting Stronger

February 10, 2010
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J.T. Rogan is working on building strength and speed as he prepares to impress NFL scouts on USD’s Pro Day. Here is his latest journal entry detailing his journey:

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