DeKALB – Six former Huskies and five other draft-eligible players worked out in front of NFL scouts ahead of April’s 2024 NFL Draft Thursday at the Chessick Practice Center for NIU’s annual Pro Day.
Measurements were taken ahead of on-field testing. All six Huskies took part in the vertical jump, broad jump and three-cone drills.
Defensive tackle James Ester did not participate in the 40-yard dash and quarterback Rocky Lombardi was not involved in the bench press test.
The following NFL scouting departments were in attendance: Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers.
ROCKY LOMBARDI, QUARTERBACK
2021 MAC Champion, 2024 Camellia Bowl Champion and six-year vet, Lombardi has exhausted the last of his NCAA eligibility. The former Michigan State commit appeared in 30 games as a Huskie, completing 439 of his passes for 5,516 yards and 31 passing touchdowns.
Weight: 223 lbs
Height: 6-foot-3-inches
Vertical jump: 35 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet 10 inches
Three-cone drill: 7.25 seconds
40-yard dash: 4.70 seconds
TYLER JACKSON, LINEBACKER
Jackson participated in all 13 games of the 2023 season predominantly as a rotational piece. The Lamar University graduate transfer racked up 56 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss (TFL) and was named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week for his 10-tackle performance against Ball State University on Nov. 7.
Weight: 231 lbs
Height: 6 feet
Vertical jump: 26.5 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet 9 inches
Three-cone drill: 7.40 seconds
40-yard dash: 4.97 seconds
225 lb bench press: 6 reps
JAMES ESTER, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
The 289-pound behemoth became exceedingly more productive in each season as a Huskie. Over 49 games, the three-time All-MAC honoree accumulated 121 total tackles, 20 TFL, 2 forced fumbles and an interception as a member of the red-and-black.
Weight 289 lbs
Height: 6-foot-2-inches
Vertical jump: 27.5 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet 11 inches
Three-cone drill: 7.72 seconds
225 lb bench press: 23 reps
DARON GILBERT, LINEBACKER
DaRon Gilbert, a standout and transfer from Lafayette College, started all 13 games at linebacker for the Huskies. The former safety-linebacker hybrid finished 2023 with 51 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks and 1 pass deflection.
Weight: 214 lbs
Height: 6-foot-1-inch
Vertical jump: 34 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet 7 inches
Three-cone drill: 7.22 seconds
40-yard dash: 4.72 seconds
225 lb bench press: 14 reps
NOLAN POTTER, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Nolan Potter started his first full season in 2020 and has since then been the anchor at offensive tackle for the Huskies. The 6-foot-5-inch pass protector was named First-Team All-MAC twice and was dubbed the team’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Weight: 310 lbs
Height: 6-foot-5-inches
Vertical jump: 27 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet 7 inches
Three-cone drill: 8.28 seconds
40-yard dash: 5.20 seconds
225 lb bench press: 25 reps
GABRIEL AMEGATCHER, CORNERBACK
Gabriel Amegatcher was predominantly a special teams player who saw limited snaps at cornerback in 2023. Amegatcher was acquired through the transfer portal following the 2022 season as a former University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers member and had just 5 total tackles this season.
Weight: 202 lbs
Height: 6-foot-1-inch
Vertical jump: 33 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet 4 inches
Three-cone drill: 7.38 seconds
40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds
225 lb bench press: 16 reps
The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25 to April 27 and will be held at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.
NIU released its full 13-game schedule for the 2024 football season on Tuesday.
