After leading the football team to a variety of firsts this past season, senior quarterback Drew Willy has added yet another accolade to his resume.
Following his game-winning touchdown pass in the Texas vs. The Nation game in El Paso, Texas on Saturday, Willy has been invited to the NFL Combine, held in Indianapolis, Ind. from Feb. 18-24. It will be the third straight year that a former Bulls player will participate in the event.
"I'm really excited," Willy said in a press release. "This is what I've been working towards, trying to get that opportunity."
Willy graduated from UB in December and has been training at the Parisi Speed School in New Jersey to prepare for the event.
"I've been working with some great people as well as with Jerry Rhome-who has worked with Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Kurt Warner and a bunch of other quarterbacks-to get me ready," Willy said. "[Rhome] has taught me so much about predictions, really picking up where Coach [Danny] Barrett left off, just getting into a little more complex stuff."
Willy believes that his performance in the senior all-star game will benefit him greatly when he heads to Lucas Oil Stadium.
"I got there...and took a bunch of psychology tests for the scouts there," Willy said. "The scouts were mostly there for practices that Monday through Wednesday. I thought I threw it pretty well."
In addition, Willy feels that he should only improve as the days come closer to the famed event in Indianapolis.
"The practices went pretty well," Willy said. "I ran a 4.8 during individual testing, and that's the best I've ever run. I hope to get that into the 4.7s by the Combine or at our Pro Day in Buffalo. I'm surrounded by a bunch of great people getting me ready for this opportunity. I'm really focusing on my nutrition and I've never felt better."
By attending the Combine, Willy aims to be the first quarterback in Buffalo school history to ever be drafted into the NFL. Head coach Turner Gill feels that it's a great chance for Willy, who owns every passing record at Buffalo, to show why he deserves to play in the NFL.
"It's a tremendous honor for [Willy] to have an opportunity to showcase his skills at the NFL Combine," Gill said. "It speaks volumes about the program that we are building here at Buffalo that we have had representation there for three straight years. I know Drew will have himself ready to make the most of this opportunity."
Willy follows Chad Upshaw and Jamey Richard in representing Buffalo at the Combine. He is one of 21 quarterbacks invited to the event.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
