I spoke with former Kansas State football players Tysyn Hartman and David Garrett earlier this week for a story that will run in tomorrow’s paper about their NFL Draft chances.
Both said they have received interest from a number of different teams, and are hoping to hear their names called in the final rounds of next weekend’s draft. Should they go undrafted, they are confident they will be picked up as free agents and try to earn roster spots at rookie camps.
Regardless of the path they take, they like their chances of playing professional football next season. (I cover that and more in tomorrow’s article) After listening to all the work they put in since their final game at K-State, I’m not surprised. Both players spent two solid months training in order to get in peak athletic shape for K-State’s Pro Day.
Hartman headed to Atlanta, and worked out with a team of trainers and other players.
“I trained for eight straight weeks,” Hartman said.
Garrett went to Kansas City, and worked with a team that asked him to do everything he could to add muscle.
“It was a grind,” Garrett said. “I had to work hard every day. My daily schedule started at 8:30, break at noon, start back up at 1 and we weren’t done until 3:30. Saturdays were one-on-one drills and stuff like that. Sundays were my only days off.
“It was nice. I had to eat six meals a day and really change my diet. I weighed in at 174 (pounds) and came out at 188, so it was a grind. The whole two months was pretty tough, but it was worth it.”
Six meals … A day … Really?
“Yeah,” Garrett replied. “I would eat a big breakfast and then eat a snack, then eat lunch, then eat another snack, then eat dinner and have another snack before bed. There was one time at dinner where I was full, but they wouldn’t let me get up from the table until I ate all my food. It was pretty tough.”