Alex Ward was sitting down in his lounge checking e mail on his cellphone when a brand new message arrived.
The sixth-year UCF lengthy snapper had acquired an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine.
“It came through very nonchalant,” Ward mentioned. “It’s just a few man’s identify and NFL beside it. I’m like, ‘What is this?’ I open it up and the very first thing I see is the Combine emblem, ‘We’re excited to increase an invitation to the Combine.’
“I jumped up, my phone went flying and I ran to the front door, ran back to the living room, I’m jumping up and called my Dad,” he recalled. “It was great.”
Ward acquired the invite to the scouting mix on Jan. 3. This week he’s again at UCF working towards for the Hula Bowl, an all-star school soccer recreation, that will probably be held at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Saturday (CBS Sports Network, midday).
He’s certainly one of 5 former Knights participating within the Hula Bowl that features operating again Isaiah Bowser, offensive lineman Sam Jackson, tight finish Kemore Gamble and defensive again Divaad Wilson.
“I got carried off the field. Now I’m back on the field and get to play at a higher level getting ready for the NFL,” Ward mentioned. “There are a lot of new faces on an old field which feels a little odd, but it’s fun.”
The Hula Bowl is only the start of what’s going to be months of preparation for Ward main as much as the NFL Draft, which takes place on the finish of April.
Following this week, Ward will practice in Bradenton with a specialised long-snapping coach and return to UCF for 2 weeks earlier than heading to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
He’ll return to UCF and proceed coaching for the Combine that’s held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from Feb. 28-March 6.
He described the early steps of the method as semi-familiar.
That’s as a result of Ward was invited to the Senior Bowl final yr after being named a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, which honors the nation’s prime lengthy snapper.
The 2021 third-team Phil Steele All-American had a significant resolution to make: Head to the league or an additional yr of school eligibility.
Ward returned to UCF. It’s a call that’s been questioned by scouts this week on the Hula Bowl, however one he doesn’t remorse.
“I don’t see a reason for a long snapper to declare any earlier than he has to,” he mentioned. “I plan to play 10-plus years within the NFL so why lower life a yr brief right here?
“I’m more developed and ready than I would have been last year,” he added. “[It was] a better situation all around being at UCF and having fun for another year.”
The additional yr included as soon as once more being a finalist for the Mannelly Award and incomes a second journey to the Senior Bowl.
And Ward understands the importance of his NFL Combine invite.
Around 300 gamers take part within the annual scouting occasion, however lengthy snappers symbolize a small share. Excluding the 2021 occasion which was canceled, solely 24 lengthy snappers have participated on the Combine in Indianapolis since 2006, in response to Stathead.com.
Compared to 288 quarterbacks who’ve taken half within the Combine throughout the identical span, lengthy snappers on the occasion are uncommon.
“They normally pick about one a year to service the punters and kickers,” Ward mentioned. “I’m very privileged to have that opportunity this year and be that guy.”
This week on the Hula Bowl he’s acquired loads of curiosity from NFL scouts. He’s aiming to showcase his measurement, athleticism and consistency as a protracted snapper.
“I’ve been getting a lot of interviews,” mentioned Ward who spoke with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday.
Ward would play for any NFL workforce, clearly, however he has a dream workforce.
“I’ve been a Saints fan forever,” he mentioned. “The Bucs are big down here. All my friends are Bucs fans. I love the Panthers organization. I’m happy to get a job anywhere. I’ll play for anyone as hard as I possibly can.”
Email Jason Beede at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com