Being drafted in the NFL is the first of a series of goals most serious football players have. While some athletes are fortunate enough to enter into the NFL Draft, others must rely on the NFL Scouting Combine and college Pro Day workouts to showcase their skills and prove they are worthy of their name being on a professional team’s 52-man roster.
Indianapolis athletes Shakir Bell and Anthony McClung have been putting in extra work at a local sports performance facility to maximize their chances at an Indianapolis Pro Day workout on Feb. 20.
Pro Days are important athletic and skill sessions that allow key decision makers in the NFL to scout talent.
Bell began playing football at the age of 6 and has come a long way in order to make it to where he is today. He used the sport as a means of releasing his frustration with the trails of life and over time went from being afraid of contact to a player with promise.
“I’m an offensive player with a defensive mind. I go out there, attack my opponent and try to set the tempo early on in the game,” said the running back.
As a freshman at Warren Central High School, Bell celebrated with his team on a fourth consecutive state championship title. The team already had superstar running backs yet Bell remained positive and was able to let his talent show during his junior and senior years. He was able to achieve accomplishments such as rushing for over 3,000 yards setting a 5A record, winning State his senior year and being in the running for Indiana’s Mr. Football award.
Bell admits he wasn’t highly recruited out of high school but was accepted to Indiana State University.
Committed to a school with a defective football program, Bell said he entered college with a hunger to prove doubters wrong. His efforts proved worthy.
When he entered college, ISU had one of the nation’s longest losing streaks. During his freshman year, Bell and his team had a record of 6-5 and his sophomore year, the team’s record was 7-4. ISU’s stats kept improving while Bell was on the team. He was also the runner up for the Walter Peyton Award.
Bell is using that same intensity to fuel his workouts and keep his eyes on the goal ahead of him: doing well at the Indianapolis Pro Day and by proving he has what it takes to make it to the pros.
“I’m not the fastest or tallest but I will out work any of those types of players,” said Bell, 21, with pure confidence.
While Bell was at Warren Central working to make a name for himself, McClung was on the other side of town at Pike High School doing the same thing.
McClung’s stepfather enrolled him into a pee-wee football program as a 6-year-old.
“He made me play offensive line my first year. It was hard, but I got through it,” reminisced McClung. “My second and third year I was MVP of my team and it progressed from there.”
McClung and his team helped win Pike High School a State championship.
McClung admits he wasn’t highly recruited out of high school either, but took his talent to the University of Cincinnati as a wide receiver. He enjoyed back-to-back Big East conference championships and going to the Belk Bowl.
He’s grateful for the opportunity to play football at a high level and is grateful for the upcoming Pro Day. He’s been working for the past three weeks on being a more explosive player and increasing his speed.
“If God wants you to be somewhere then he’ll get you there so I’m remaining patient,” said the 22-year-old with quiet confidence.
He hopes that humility gets him on an NFL team and to his ultimate goal of making it to the NFL Hall of Fame.
McClung and Bell are expected to be the only athletes from Indy who are participating in the local Pro Day. McClung also plans to participate in a Pro Day at the University of Cincinnati in March.
