Size matters to hopeful Bearcat trio

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, March 14, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Cincinnati Bearcats
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For University of Cincinnati seniors Haruki Nakamura and Bradley Glatthaar, their school's Pro Day on the UC campus last week was a big deal -- literally.

Knowing all too well how much size matters in the NFL, both safety Nakamura and fullback prospect Glatthaar managed to pack on a few extra pounds for pro scouts from around a dozen teams, and they did it without losing any speed.

Nakamura, who played at around 185 last season, showed up at Pro Day at 205. Neverthless, he ran a 4.5 40, produced a 10-foot broad jump and -- perhaps most impressively -- hoisted 225 pounds 20 times.

"I can't wait to see how I can hit weighing 200," Nakamura, already considered one of the hardest tacklers in the Big East pound for pound, told reporters afterward.

Glatthaar, a running back most of his Cincinnati career, gained 18 pounds to weigh in at 247. He ran a 4.7 40 and tied with offensive lineman Ken Rodriguez for the most bench press reps with 26.

Neither Nakamura nor Glatthaar were invited to the NFL Combine in February. The only Bearcat who was, DE Angelo Craig, decided to stand pat on his 40 and bench press performances in Indianapolis and participated only in drills last week.

Another Bearcat who turned heads was Earnest Jackson, a monster of a wide receiver (6-3, 230) who reeled off a 4.45 40, grunted his way through 24 bench press repetitions and elevated 40 inches in the vertical jump. As a senior, the Southfield, Mi product caught 36 passes for 236 yards (a 13.9 yard average) and three touchdowns.

His size, alone, makes him intriguing to scouts. It matters.
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