The physical sight of Alex Kube at NIU’s Pro Day last month was quite the wonder.

Nobody expected the former Huskie linebacker to go under a complete body renovation.

“People could not believe the transformation he [went through],” said Kevin Barcal, one of Kube’s trainers who works at the Lake Barrington Field House. “Alex came and worked out five days a week, two times a day for eight weeks.”

One of the central reasons for Kube’s body overhaul was that NFL teams projected him as a safety, not a linebacker; the position he played the past three seasons.

Kube isn’t a stranger to the idea of playing in the defensive backfield. After redshirting in 2006, Kube played safety for NIU and earned Freshman All-American honors from Sporting News.

Being told for so long he couldn’t play safety, Kube had to revamp his outlook on his football career.

“The guys at the Barrington Field House and my agent have helped me out so much and changed my mindset,” Kube said. “So if want to run a 4.4, I’m going to run a 4.4. If I need to lose 15 pounds to be a safety and transform my entire body into a safety from when I had to change it from a safety to a linebacker; you can do it.”

Last Saturday, Kube had the chance to flaunt his new physique to the Chicago Bears at Halas Hall. Along with another handful of budding NFL prospects, the Cary Grove High School graduate exhibited his skills in a workout for the Bears.

“All of my times were better, expect my 40 wasn’t as fast [as it was at the NIU Pro Day],” Kube said. “But the scouts really liked it still.”

It was somewhat surreal for Kube, finally being given a chance to show off his skills all while he’s chasing his dream to play on Sundays. He didn’t detach himself from reality, as he kept a keen focus throughout the workout.

“I had an all-business approach,” Kube said. “I took it in and thought, ‘Okay, I’m at the Bears’ facility. I’m really doing this now.’ I just went to work when I got there and that was the mind-set I had the entire time I was there, from drill to drill. I didn’t think about anything else.”

After running the fastest-40 time at the NIU Pro Day with a 4.51, Kube ran a 4.56 and 4.57. Despite there being some time added at his Bears’ workout, it didn’t clip scouts’ interest in Kube.

“I was a little upset because it wasn’t as fast as I ran at the Pro Day, but it was the fastest time that they had for the defensive guys that day,” Kube said. “[The Bears] were happy with it and that’s all that matters.”

One of Kube’s former Huskie teammates, linebacker Jordan Delegal, said he isn’t surprised to see the opportunity Kuybe’s worked his way into.

“Everything Kube has gotten so far, that’s what his work has deserved,” Delegal said. “He’s been a great player on and off the field. He’s one of the most hard-working guys I’ve seen in my life.”