Chapter 8 Combine 2

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Jace wiped the sweat from his brow as he approached the next station: the Pro Shuttle (5-10-5). He had just completed his third go of the 40-yard dash but was unable to beat his time landing a few milliseconds behind. The crowd around his group were not only the QB coaches but included a contingent of other scouts who came to watch the action.

For every drill they approached a crowd seemed to gather as even Mike Jones was also putting up incredible numbers. He wasn't the physical type, but his figures were still above average for his class. However, with Jace ahead of him putting up these kinds of numbers he would only get to shine when he finally got a ball in his hands.

At the Pro Shuttle station, cones were set up in a straight line ten yards apart, with a middle cone marking the starting point. The test was simple but demanding explode five yards to one side, change direction on a dime, sprint ten yards the other way, and finish by cutting back to the middle cone.

Jace lined up, dropping into an athletic stance. He visualized the sequence in his mind—quick, sharp, efficient. The whistle blew, and he exploded forward with a burst to his right, his cleats digging into the turf with every step. His turn was tight and clean, his body low as he pivoted back and exploded toward the far cone. The final cut sent him back toward the middle, where he crossed the line with a flourish.

"4.10 seconds," the official called out, prompting a ripple of murmurs from the sideline. "4.10 seconds," the official repeated, jotting down the result as Jace straightened up, hands on his hips, catching his breath.

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The 3-cone drill came next as the cones were arranged in an "L" shape, and the challenge was to sprint, pivot, and weave through the course as fluidly as possible. It tested a recruit's speed and body control with every step and movement they made.

Jace took his stance, crouching slightly as he prepared. The whistle sounded, and he was off. He accelerated toward the first cone, planted his foot, and pivoted sharply around it. The turn was seamless, his body leaning perfectly as he looped through the second cone. By the time he hit the final stretch, his cleats seemed to barely graze the turf.

"6.75 seconds," the official called out, prompting another buzz from the crowd.

~~~

The broad jump station was next, and this exercise was designed to measure the explosive power of each participant's lower body. The station for the broad jump was marked with tape and chalk lines. When it was Jace's turn he once again drew a crowd who were eager to see his result almost as if he could get a bad result after his previous performance.

He set his feet shoulder-width apart, rocking back slightly before launching himself forward with every ounce of strength in his legs. His arms swung powerfully as he landed with a controlled stomp, keeping his balance intact.

"127 inches" the staff member declared after using the measuring tape to double-check the score. Surprisingly he wasn't in the top 3 for this station as they were taken by Tariq and two safeties.

The vertical jump was more technical, requiring precision and timing to reach maximum height. The bar above was adjusted to his reach, and Jace took a moment to steady his breathing. With a slight crouch, he exploded upward, his arm outstretched as he slapped the bar with enough force to send it spinning.

"32 inches," the official announced, nodding in approval. He wasn't first in this one either landing in second as another lanky defensive player leapt up reaching 34 inches.

Next came the bench press section a favourite for measuring upper body strength. The bar was preloaded with 185 pounds, and players were required to complete as many reps as possible. Jace lay back on the bench, gripping the bar with a firm yet relaxed confidence. He pumped out the first ten reps with ease, his form perfect as the bar rose and fell in a steady rhythm.

He did ok in this exercise managing a solid 18 reps before having to stop. Still, the numbers were respectable for his position and proved just how much of an athlete he is. Jace had made it his mission to become the best player he could be ever since picking up a football and he was proving it here.

For the pull-up section, he managed another respectable showing of 19 pull-ups putting him in the top 5 in the entire combine. The final physical test was a gruelling one—a timed mile run. The players were grouped together, with coaches watching intently to gauge not only stamina but mental toughness.

Every one of them was already spent from the day's happenings and the 15-minute rest they got was not nearly enough. Still, no one complained as they followed their groups to the running track. Sipping what little they could from their drinks they did their best to catch their breaths.

Jace's group went up second and surprisingly Tariq was a part of his group allowing them to line up together.

The whistle blew, and the players burst forward like sprinters off the blocks, though the pace was measured as no one rushed into a full sprint. Though there were a few who decided to race ahead a couple of yards.

Jace kept his stride steady, as he and Tariq stayed near the front of the pack. Jace easily kept pace as his long legs ate up ground effortlessly. Tariq on the other hand simply moved with more power as he was not only short, and bulky but also had elite-level agility.

He was the guy in the gym who trained like a madman and made you wonder if he was training to become the next black panther. He got results though as he floated like a butterfly on the pitch easily cruising through the chaos of scrimmages. Oh, and he hit like a freight train running late to make its next drop, he is not stopping to check if you're ok.

They both held a steady pace for the first lap without breaking an extra sweat. There were about 10 recruits in front of them by the time the first 400 meters elapsed. "Let's go at 75% until (hush) reach the top 5" Jace told his friend as he started putting more power into his stride, but Tariq was already accelerating.

Tariq smirked as he surged forward alongside Jace, their synchronization almost seamless. They had trained together for years and knew exactly what the other wanted so it wasn't hard for them to keep pace with each other. Together, they began overtaking the recruits ahead of them, cutting through the pack like a knife through hot butter.

Tariq's muscles pulsed through his vest with each stride he took and glided across the track with natural ease, his movements smooth and efficient. By the halfway mark, of the second lap they had climbed into the top five sitting comfortably behind the top 3 who had been battling each other since the race started. Seeing that they were still going hot the two decided to catch their breath and let them figure it out.

A second later a black guy wearing runners goggles sprinted past them sending them a provocative smirk as he joined the group ahead. Tariq almost tripped seeing this, wondering whether this guy was challenging him to an arm-wrestling match with the little bit of meat on his biceps. "Yo J. (hush) I think that guy just called me a B**ch."

"Hahah, I think (hush) he did. He a free safety so you best teach him some respect during the scrimmage later." Jace responded with a light smile as he kept his gaze on the battle of 3 that had turned into a 100-yard dash because of the swim goggles guy.

He must have pulled agro as he breezed past them urging the 3 who had kept a fast but steady pace to all sprint ahead. Jace and Tariq simply kept their pace at 75% keeping the distance between them and the leading quartet at 20 meters. "yo, I think we can go full pace them man's just about done," Tariq commented before immediately accelerating to full speed.

The difference was clearly noticeable as he quickly gained distance forcing Jace to step up and also go full speed. There were only 300 meters left and the two of them started barrelling down the straight at full speed. The wind brushed against their skin as gravity and friction tried to grab a hold of them.

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To Be Continued...