Michigan's Kevin Koger, Steve Watson no longer heading to regional combine this weekend
Former Michigan tight ends Kevin Koger and Steve Watson no longer will compete in a regional combine this weekend in Chicago, as they had originally intended.
The NFL hopefuls, who are working out with former Michigan strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis, instead are focusing on the Wolverines' pro day March 15. Watson said he also will participate in a regional combine March 17 in Cleveland.
Steve Watson
"We communicated, and decided the best thing to do was see how much more I could improve before (the pro day)."
Koger, who was Michigan's top tight end last year, said in a text he also withdrew to focus on the pro day. He does not plan to compete in any regional combines.
He is a possible late-round pick.
Watson, who was Michigan's second tight end last year, said he already has done as many as 25 reps in the 225-pound bench press, and that came after four sets at 385 pounds. That would have placed him fourth among tight ends at the main NFL Scouting Combine last weekend. Georgia's Orson Charles led the way with 35.
Watson hopes to run a 40-yard dash in the high 4.7s or low 4.8s. That would have placed him in the middle of the pack at the combine.
He is not expected to be drafted, but hopes to catch on with a team as an undrafted free agent.
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
michboy40
Thu, Mar 1, 2012 : 3:49 a.m.
I won't put all of our conditioning problems on barwis, but I have to agree. The on field results do not seem to match up with his training methods.
observer
Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Both of these guys seem rather humble, too bad Molk did not follow their lead........
George Yingling
Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
We have five football players who were on the team working with Mike Barwis. All of them talk about their improvement, changes in their body. Lamar Woodley and other pros go to Barwis too. Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers went to Barwis and reports he is faster, has faster bat speed. Makes one wonder why Mlchigan didn't find a way to keep Barwis. Michigan let the guru go. Go figure.
Tag
Thu, Mar 1, 2012 : 4:47 a.m.
The issue was NEVER Barwis or Barwis' Methods but the players he had to work with which were recruited by RichRod. RichRod's defense system didn't work in the B1G.
heartbreakM
Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.
It's impressive on paper (and in pictures), but when Barwis was the S/C guy at Michigan, the teams routinely were pushed around too easily and also became very gassed in the second half of games. I'd like to think that Barwis learned something from the experience and his techniques are indeed progressive, but his results on the field just did not add up.