DeKALB | Former NIU linebacker Alex Kube has been doubted throughout his entire football career.

At both the high school and college level, critics said that Kube didn’t have the talent to play at a high degree. Kube admitted that he’s heard all of his weaknesses by scouts repeated like a broken record that continues to play over and over again.

“People still think now, ‘he’s too small to play linebacker and he’s not fast enough to play safety,’” Kube said. “That’s fine; I’ve accepted that my entire life and I’ve played with a chip on my shoulder my entire life.”

Now the 2010 Defensive Third Team All-MAC honoree will try to silence critics once more by trying to make it in the NFL. Kube knows he won’t be congratulated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for being a first-round draft pick on draft day. Instead, he’ll have to take different path if he wants to play on Sundays.

“I know I’m going to be a free-agent or something like that,” Kube said.

Kube has been working with Think Fast Athletics, a company that coaches people and athletes by focusing on strength and conditioning workouts. Owned by Tim Mosolino, whom Kube has been training with, Think Fast Athletics has trained many former NIU players including P.J. Fleck, Matt Simon and Eddie Adamski. All three former Huskies went to training camp with their respective teams coming out of college.

“It’s not their job to get you into the NFL,” Kube said. “It’s their job to help you have a shot.”

The 2007 Sporting News Freshman All-American is also working with another trainer, Kevin Barcal, at the Lake Barrington Field House.

“We’ve been doing specific workouts that are going to help tailor him to performing at his Pro Day,” Barcal said.

Barcal trained former Huskie and current Indianapolis Colt starting right tackle Ryan Diem, as well as other NFL players. These include Houston Texans receiver Kevin Walter and Dallas Cowboys tackle Robert Brewster.

Barcal has given Kube a regiment to follow that will get his body into tip-top shape.

“He comes in, busts his butt every day, Monday through Friday,” Barcal said. “He goes home, does what he needs to do, eats right, gets the right amount of sleep. He’s really committed to doing this.”

Kube is banking on the idea that all the hard work he’s putting in now will pay off when NIU has its Pro Day on March 5th at 11:30 a.m.

Huskies entering the NFL draft will have a chance to perform in various drills similar to those at the NFL Combine.

“I just want to be able to show on Pro Day what I am able to do,” Kube said.

According to Kube’s agent, Chris Brady, NFL teams have expressed interest in him playing as a linebacker or as a contributor on special teams. Kube sees the second option as his best avenue to getting on the field.

“To be honest, for me personally, I don’t care; I want to play football,” Kube said. “I know how I’m going to make a team right away and that’s on special teams.”

Barcal believes Kube is on track towards catching the eyes of a few NFL scouts.

“He’s got about three more weeks of hard work that he’s going to be willing to put in,” Barcal said. “With all that put in, I think he’ll have a very good shot at impressing some scouts on the Northern Illinois Pro Day.”