Speed Rules Among IMG Academies-Trained NFL Combine Participants

BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With a 4.37 on the 40-yard dash, LSU cornerback Ron Brooks impressed the crowd on the final day of workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The undersized corner proved while he might lack the physical presence, he does not lack the fast-twitch muscles to effectively cover even the fastest of receivers.

Fellow cornerback and IMG training partner, Justin Bethel, a four-year starter for Presbyterian, also had a solid showing on Tuesday with a 4.58 on the 40. Both Brooks and Bethel were no match for their IMG training peer, Stephen Hill, however. Hill turned heads at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, clocking in at an unofficial 4.30 (4.36 official), and quickly rising to the top of teams' wish lists. The 6'4″, 215-pound WR from Georgia Tech was expected to run fast, but took it up a notch when it mattered most. He capped that performance off with the longest broad jump among receivers (11'1"), and the fourth-best vertical among receivers (39.5).

"Every member of our Combine class has met or exceeded the mock combine numbers that he put up ten days ago," remarked Loren Seagrave, Director of Speed and Movement, IMG Performance Institute. Seagrave, who began his work with professional football players in the late 90s, is one of the most renowned sprint and hurdle coaches in the world, having coached countless Olympic medalists and World Record Holders.

IMG Academies Combine trainee Luke Kuechly stole the show during Monday's workouts. The nation's top tackler was best among linebackers in the 60-yard shuttle with an 11.43. He posted an explosive 38" vertical, 4.58 on the 40, and 4.12 on the short shuttle, placing him third among linebackers in all three categories. His 10'3" broad jump placed him fifth in his position group, while his 27 reps on the bench landed him sixth.

Kuechly's two-month stint at IMG Academies helped him add five pounds with no sacrifice to his quickness or explosiveness. In Kuechly's words, "I had to prove I was a sufficient size. The biggest thing is being able to move with the weight you have. That was something I've been working on."

Other IMG Academies-trained athletes also put up strong numbers throughout the weekend. Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn proved big men are capable of moving. The 6'5", 345-pounder posted a 5.15 on the 40-yard dash, making him the sixth fastest lineman on record. His 31 reps on the bench put him in the top-ten among all linemen.

Arizona State wideout Gerell Robinson showed his mobility should no longer be questioned. The 6'3", 227-pound, big-handed receiver clocked in at 4.62 on the 40-yard dash, and put in the 12th fastest 20-yard shuttle time (4.15) among the receiver group. Fellow IMG trainee, Toledo receiver Eric Page, posted the top 20-yard shuttle time among receivers (3.98).

Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson posted the second fastest QB time on the 40, with a 4.55, and on the 20-yard shuttle with a 4.09. Wilson and Kirk Cousins, both of whom trained together at IMG Academies along with Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, had strong outings on the field during Sunday's position-specific work, silencing critics who had questioned their size and arm strength, respectively.

"Our two QBs performed as well as any QB out there today," said Chris Weinke, Director, IMG Madden Football Academy, from Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. "They [Cousins, Wilson] are both elite athletes, and today's performances are a direct result of the hard work and commitment they put in with us for the last two months."

Cousins and Wilson were two of 30 players who descended on IMG Academies' campus in early January to immerse themselves in one of the world's most advanced and comprehensive training programs for today's pro player. Players eat, sleep and train on the 450-acre campus, with 24/7 access to medical staff and physical therapists. In addition to the daily position-specific on-field training led by Heisman-winning QB and Director of the IMG Madden Football Academy, Chris Weinke, and his team of IMG Madden coaches, players receive education and training in areas like sports nutrition and hydration, physical conditioning, speed and movement, vision training, mental conditioning and communication.

About IMG Academies

IMG Academies, located in Bradenton, Fla., is the world's largest and most advanced multi-sport training and education complex dedicated to developing the TOTAL ATHLETE™. For more than 30 years, IMG Academies has helped countless youth, adult, collegiate and professional athletes reach their full potential in sport and life, by providing expert coaching, tailored programs and world-class facilities, across a 450-acre campus.

Today the campus attracts more than 20,000 athletes from 100 countries annually. The Academies consists of the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, IMG Leadbetter Golf Academy, IMG Madden Football Academy, IMG Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse and Soccer academies – all supported by the IMG Pendleton School and IMG Performance Institute's multi-faceted training disciplines. IMG Academies also conducts camps, clinics and events year-round, while providing support to teams and federations around the world. Find more info at www.imgacademies.com.  

Contact: Kim Berard, IMG Academies, kim.berard@imgworld.com, 941-752-2621

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