Gilkey tells tale of Senior Bowl, NFL hopes

Salty air tousling long flowing strawberry-blond locks and warm, grainy sand comforting exhausted feet transformed 320 pounds of muscle, passion and faith from a vigorous offensive lineman to a relaxed beach-goer, just for a day.

If wasted time were precious, and discarded dreams valuable, then that day Garrett Gilkey, CSC senior of Sandwich, Ill., could pass as an oversized beach bum. But clearly, that is definitely not true about the NFL draft prospect.

As one of football’s premier pre-draft events, the Senior Bowl, Saturday, Jan. 26, Mobile, Ala., became the platform for Gilkey to showcase his talents and establish himself as an athlete able to establish himself as a viable NFL prospect.

“Being able to play in the senior bowl was a great experience,” Gilkey said three days after the game, “It was very important for me as many of the scouts and coaches wanted to see how I stood up against some of the big-time caliber athletes in the country.”

Playing in front of hundreds of NFL scouts and coaches can be nerve racking, but Gilkey’s take on the game was different.

“After that first snap it was just football. It was just like playing in high school or college. I would say the speed, size and strength of the guys is far greater than playing against some of the schools in the RMAC, but you adapt to it quicker than you would think,” Gilkey said.

In addition to Gilkey learning from his fellow players, an array of NFL coaches, notably Detroit Lions Offensive Line Coach, Jeremiah Washburn, aided Gilkey’s transition from the left tackle position to the interior line.

“Jeremiah Washubrn was a great teacher,” Gilkey said, “He helped me with understanding and learning how to read and see the fronts and alignment on certain plays. It was a good educational experience for me, as well, to mentally prepare myself for guys in the NFL.”

While the majority of his peers came from Division I programs, Gilkey said he was proud that he was one of 10 players from programs among the NCAA Division II, Division III and the NAIA.

“Don’t let where you’re at define where you want to go,” Gilkey said, “Being in a small school does not mean that you can’t make it to the NFL or be successful.”

Gilkey said his greatest motivation is his Faith. He understood his role was greater than just being a player on the field. The media, he said, enabled him to have a positive affect on people’s lives.

“It’s important to know that you are where you are for a reason and you need to allow those circumstances to shape you and mold you into who you want to become,” he said. “That is exactly what happened to me. I realized that I was in a very small school in Nebraska and that transformed me into who I am. Hopefully [that will] carry me into a good career in the NFL.”

Gilkey said he will continue his intensive training at the IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla., until the NFL’s combine in late February. There, he will join more than 300 college football players for a week-long showcase in Indianapolis, and will participate in Pro Day.

After the combine, he said NFL teams will be in contact with him about facility visits and potential job opportunities. Following travels and countless meetings, Gilkey said it is a waiting game to hear his name on draft day.

“It’s a long time coming,” Gilkey said. “Getting to that point is going to be very rewarding.”