DeKALB– The NIU football team held its Huskies’ 2022 Pro Day, Wednesday afternoon at the Northwestern Medicine Performance Center and the Chessick Practice Center. The Huskies had four players, running back Clint Ratkovich, linebacker Lance Deveaux, wide receiver Tyrese Richie, and punter Matt Ference, showcase their talents in front of scouts from 11 different NFL teams. 

Ratkovich and Deveaux took part in many different workouts starting in the Chessick center, while Richie, who is still returning from injury, was limited to just bench pressing. The players started with measurements then moved on to agility and strength testing. Ratkovich led all participants in the bench press, completing 31 reps at 225 pounds. Ratkovich and Deveaux each scored a 34-inch vertical leap, displaying their athletic abilities.  

The group then moved into the Chessick Center to perform their 40-yard dash times and other field drills set up by the scouts. Ratkovich again topped the group with a 40 time of 4.65 and broad jump with a 10’2”. 

Devaux was able to show off his talents at both linebacker and defensive back, something he trained immensely for. “I’ve been training linebacker and DB drills, emphasizing DB drills because it’s been a while as I haven’t played that position since high school when I was a safety.” Devaux said to NIU athletics. 

Ratkovich was very grateful for the opportunity to perform in front of NFL scouts. “It’s a great experience and an awesome opportunity to get in front of these NFL scouts,” Ratkovich said to NIU athletics. “I just wanted to look clean and relax. [We’ve] been training for months for this and everything we’ve done to this point has led to [today], so my goal was just to get out here and let it loose.” 

The Huskies that were in attendance will now wait and see if they will get their opportunity to play at the highest level.