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Posted on Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.

Michigan's David Molk impresses with weight gain, combine-best 41 reps in bench press

By Kyle Meinke

INDIANAPOLIS -- David Molk fell short of his goal. He did not fall short of doing what he came here to do.

Impress.

The former Michigan football center said because right foot surgery has cut his NFL Scouting Combine to just the bench press, he poured most of his preparation into breaking the record in that event.

The results are in: Molk posted 41 repetitions of 225 pounds Friday, well short of Stephen Paea's record 49 from last year.

The caveat: It's "by far the most of anyone so far" at the combine, according to Shawn Zobel of draftheadquarters.com.

The 6-foot-1 Molk also tipped the scales at 298 pounds. That's an inch shorter than his listed height at Michigan and lands him among the bottom 20 percent of NFL centers. But, the weight is 12 pounds heavier than his playing weight and more than 20 pounds heavier than his post-surgery weight.

50_David_Molk.jpg

David Molk

Between the weight gain and bench press, this has been a very impressive combine for Molk, considering the circumstances due to his injury. He has been unavailable for comment, but was expected to speak later Friday.

For comparison, Wisconsin center Peter Konz posted 18 reps in the bench press, and he's projected to be a first-round pick.

Konz said shortly after the lift that at the center position, too much shouldn't be made of combine measurables such as bench-press reps.

"There's so many variables, I don't chalk it up much," he said. "I try to use my technique, but that's something I'll work out."

When asked about Molk's 41 reps -- more than twice what he posted in the same event -- Konz said: "It'll translate a little bit (to NFL play), but at the same time, you need to know what kind of football player a guy is."

Most media members are not allowed to observe workouts such as the bench press.

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Comments

smokeblwr

Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.

41 is impressive, and 18 is seemingly not for a NFL player. But really, bench is not nearly a measure of football strength as squat. Plus, some guys are "built to bench" what with stubby little arms. Taller players with longer arms usually struggle on the bench, yet athletically have a height and reach advantage over the shorter, "stronger" guy. So...don't read too much into bench press translating into football success. Trust me, I read a lot of articles on the internet.

Steve McQueen

Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 2:28 a.m.

Last I checked...41 is more than 2x as much as 18.... and the guy with the 41 was the BT lineman of the year and the Remington winner... yet the guy with 18 is projected to be a first rounder...and the guy with the 41 and the actual career accomplishments in college...is projected significantly lower. Once again, the NFL scouts are wrong about Dave Molk....just like they were about Tom Brady. I just got done watching "The Brady 6" documentary on NFL Network. Perhaps someday they will have a documentary on "the Molk 6" or whatever number of lessor qualified players will be drafted in front of him. Meanwhile, Dave Molk keeps playing. Accomplished player at big time program, check... stong...check... great heart...check...leader...check... what else do you want NFL?

Wally the Wolverine

Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 6:11 a.m.

Height? As an example, at 6'1", 295 lbs. Dominic Raiola is constantly getting steamrolled at the line of scrimmage.

Jed I Knight

Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.

41 impressive - 21 weak. I could hit 20 reps in my earlier days when I was at 100KG. College FB center and thats it? I suspect the guy must have gassed himself out on other events or just doesn't care about chest strength/endurance.

smokeblwr

Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.

Me too....now if you'll excuse me I need to get to the gym in 26 minutes.

azwolverine

Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.

Great job by Molk. Hopefully this will help him get selected a bit earlier in the draft. If he can avoid injuries, he's one of those tough minded SOB's who can change a lot of people's minds with his play on the field. I hope Martin can go out and set that record he is shooting for, too...

1bit

Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 12:04 a.m.

Kyle: The record is 51 by Justin Ernest in 1999: <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/23/david-molk-aiming-to-break-combine-bench-press-record/" rel='nofollow'>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/23/david-molk-aiming-to-break-combine-bench-press-record/</a>

Scott

Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 5:58 a.m.

it's like 1984. facts never get in the way of the story.

Ross

Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 10:21 p.m.

Nice work, Molk! When does Martin get on the bench.... ?

EyeHeartA2

Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 10:54 p.m.

That's what I was wondering, after last weeks bru-ha-ha.