Chasing the Dream

Three Princeton football players took a step toward extending their playing careers on March 31. The University hosted a "Pro Day" for seniors Brandon Mueller, Zak Keasey and Branden Benson, as well as one player from Fordham University.

Pro Day is the name given to what is essentially the NFL's version of an interview. The athletes' qualifications are measured on the field and in the weight room. The session is run by NFL scouts who come down to size up, test and talk with potential draft picks. Such Pro Days allow scouts to create player profiles, which are sent to pro teams that allow them to make informed decisions about picking new players.

"It's basically like the SATs for the NFL," Benson said. "Basically NFL scouts come out and poke you, prod you and see what kind of athlete you are."

Like Keasey and Mueller, Benson has been training seriously for Pro Day since November, the end of the football season, in hope of realizing the dreams of every Pee Wee football player in the nation: playing for the NFL.

Since the Pro Day is hosted by Princeton, anyone on the football team was eligible to attend, as well as anyone else who is granted permission by the on-campus Pro Day coordinator, provided that he is within a certain radius predetermined by the NCAA.

From head to toe

The session began with a general physical assessment of the players. Measurements were taken from tip to toe and included every detail from weight to players' hand widths.

"They're basically trying to see what kind of athlete you are on paper so the teams can get a good visual," Benson said.

The athletes then hit the turf to demonstrate their agility. Each player completed a series of rigorous exercises, including a 40-yard dash, a short-shuttle and a long-shuttle drill.

Senior quarterback Matt Verbit then came down to help run a few drills in which the players showed off their football skills. The scouts lay out a series of position-specific drills, designed to show how good a player's hands are and the way the player moves, in order to get a good sense of what kind of athlete he is in an actual game scenario.

The entire session takes a little over three hours, after which "they [the scouts] shake your hand and say good luck," Benson said.

Then comes the hard part — waiting. Benson and the rest must now wait and hope for the best while their agents get to work.

"Your agent has your numbers, and he has some highlight film of you, and he sends that out to NFL teams," he said. "They look at that and try to figure out whether or not you fit on their team."

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Procuring an agent has been key in helping Benson understand and navigate the ultra-competitive and complex system between players and teams. Benson is determined to play football after graduation, and getting drafted is not his only option.

There is also the possibility of being signed as a free agent. This is a process set up between a player's agent and individual teams, in which the teams invite the player to come try out. The team can then decide whether they want to keep the player.

"Basically everyone wants to be drafted. Then if you are unlucky enough not to be drafted, you try to barter a free agent deal," he explained.

The draft will be held at Madison Square Garden on April 23. Until then, Benson will continue his regimen of protein shakes, rigorous workouts and thesis work to ensure he graduates fit and ready to play. He's ready to stretch out his football dreams for as long as possible.

"Next year I see myself playing football one way or the other," he said. "But if that doesn't work out, I'm a premed so I would probably try to go to med school."