March 24, 2008

McNeese State's two time defending Southland Conference football champions completed their off-season work last week with players going through weight room testing.

Sixty-three of the players bench pressed 300 or more pounds, 20 power cleaned 300 or more pounds and 47 squatted with 500 or more pounds. In the squat category, three players also maxed out with 700 plus pounds and six with weight between 600 and 695 pounds.

"We're most proud of those team accomplishments," said McNeese strength and conditioning coach Zeb Hawkins. "All of our coaches were very pleased with the efforts the players put in and the results that were gained."

The Cowboys, who went through an undefeated regular season last year, will kick off their spring drills on Tuesday, April 1. The annual Blue-Gold spring game is scheduled for April 24.

During the off season training, there were 10 weight room records broken and one tied.

The bests of the best during the training session came from fullback Drew Johnston, defensive tackle Vaalyn Jackson and defensive end Josh Ellison.

Johnston had a 440 pound bench press, Jackson had a 335 pound power clean and 790 pound squat and Ellison had a 335 pound power clean.

Records were broken in the offensive line, tight end, running back, wide receiver, quarterback, defensive tackle, linebacker and defensive back categories and one was tied by a defensive end.

On the offensive side of the football, offensive lineman Eman Naghavi set a record with a 770 pound squat, tight end Brandon Broussard power cleaned 335 pounds, running backs Drew Johnston benched 440 pounds and Elrick Jones squatted with 710 pounds, wide receivers Immanuel Friddle cleaned 315 pounds and Chad Davis benched 345 and quarterback Bart Crader benched 315 pounds.

Records set on the defensive side came from Jackson with a 790 pound squat, from linebacker Deron Minor with a 670 pound squat and from defensive back Darrell Jenkins with a 630 pound squat.

Also, Jackson set a defensive tackle record for speed as he was timed in 4.86 in the 40 yard dash (by NFL scouts).

Ellison accounted for the tied record as his 335 pound power clean tied the mark that had been set by Bryant Mason.

The top 40 yard clocking of 4.3 was turned in by wide receiver Quinten Lawrence.

Among those setting weight room records recently were: seated Elrick Jones, standing left to right Bart Crader, Drew Johnston and Brandon Broussard