University of Memphis Athletics
Phil Mayhue (right) trained for Pro Day near his home in New Jersey.
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Preparing for annual Pro Day sent Tigers far, wide and near
Mar 30, 2018 | Football
NFL scouts will make their stop at Murphy Athletic Complex April 3
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Gabe Kuhn laughs when he realizes all the work he has done the past few months to prepare for University of Memphis Pro Day has been tailored specifically for Pro Day.
The 40-yard dashes. The 225-pound bench presses. The vertical and broad jumps. The 20-yard shuttles. The three-cone drills.
"It's one of those things you go through one time (at Pro Day) and then you move onto stuff you do a lot better," said Kuhn, a four-year starter on the Memphis offensive line. "You ask all the pros that train and they tell you it's a one-time thing. They say you'll never have to worry about a 40-time again."
When the University of Memphis conducts its Pro Day for NFL Scouts April 3 on the Park Avenue Campus, the Tiger hopefuls will run through the familiar drills before at least 30 scouts. And while the majority of the attention will be focused on three Tiger standouts -- All-America receiver Anthony Miller, quarterback Riley Ferguson and linebacker Genard Avery – less-heralded stars like Kuhn, Phil Mayhue and Doroland Dorceus will have opportunities to display their talents, too.
Kuhn, Mayhue and Dorceus each prepared by training in different locations in hopes of improving their numbers when the whistles blow at the Murphy Athletic Complex.
Mayhue, a receiver from Sicklierville, New Jersey, started three seasons and averaged nearly 15 yards per catch in his career. He chose to return to his home to prepare.
"I came to Jersey to train because I have better connections (there)," Mayhue said. "And I'm working with a speed trainer out of Philly who has worked with (Buffalo Bills) LeSean McCoy and Rod Streater."
Mayhue said his speed has improved dramatically and that he has become "more explosive" on his first steps and coming out of breaks.
"I'm planning on running a low 4.4 or 4.5 (40-yard dash)," Mayhue said. "I know I feel more explosive. And I can see it."
Mayhue has been training at Sports World in South Plainfield, N.J., and said three days a week have been devoted to footwork and explosion drills. Another day has been specifically tailored to speed technique tips and improving the last 15 to 20 yards of a 40-yard dash, while yet another has focused entirely on conditioning. Tuesdays and Thursdays were weight-room days.
"And we always work on routes," Mayhue said. "It's good to have a (veteran player) stop by and throw to you."
Kuhn trained in Chicago and stayed with his uncle and aunt, Mike and Susan Kuhn, and their two sons.
"It's been good to live with someone I'm comfortable with and it doesn't hurt that he's a chef, too," Gabe Kuhn said. "It's been great to get home-cooked meals. It's been easy on the wallet, too."
Kuhn has been training at EFT Sports Performance in Chicago and said it has "worked out perfectly." His uncle's chili and vegetarian lasagna have enhanced the experience.
"I've been in Chicago since Jan. 4," he said. "I've been working out six days a week and having a big day of treatment on Sundays .
"Obviously, every different facility has their particular way of teaching certain things," Kuhn said. "I could have trained in Memphis, but it was a better situation for me here in Chicago to get the best work I could get."
Like Mayhue, Kuhn said he has seen his speed improve. He's also used the past few months to work primarily on his hamstrings.
Dorceus, a running back with 24 career touchdowns, chose to stay in Memphis and said he's enjoyed working out and training where Pro Day will be conducted.
"I had plans on leaving and going to either Florida or California to train," Dorceus said. "But when I broke my ankle (Nov. 25 against East Carolina), the best thing for me was to stay in town. I had my resources here. I had the weight room here. I was more comfortable here."
Dorceus said he also ate healthy, something he likely would have done no matter where he trained. Dorceus routinely makes his own meals.
"That's something I've always done," he said.
Dorceus said his ankle is "100 percent" and he feels as good as the day he arrived.
As for Mayhue, he's familiar with Pro Day, having attended the past few to watch his former teammates go through the workouts. He's looking forward to showing the scouts how NFL-ready he is.
"I never thought I'd get to the point (physically) where I am right now," Mayhue said. "When April 3 comes, there's going to be a payoff. And once it's all over, I know it's going to be a big relief."
The 40-yard dashes. The 225-pound bench presses. The vertical and broad jumps. The 20-yard shuttles. The three-cone drills.
"It's one of those things you go through one time (at Pro Day) and then you move onto stuff you do a lot better," said Kuhn, a four-year starter on the Memphis offensive line. "You ask all the pros that train and they tell you it's a one-time thing. They say you'll never have to worry about a 40-time again."
When the University of Memphis conducts its Pro Day for NFL Scouts April 3 on the Park Avenue Campus, the Tiger hopefuls will run through the familiar drills before at least 30 scouts. And while the majority of the attention will be focused on three Tiger standouts -- All-America receiver Anthony Miller, quarterback Riley Ferguson and linebacker Genard Avery – less-heralded stars like Kuhn, Phil Mayhue and Doroland Dorceus will have opportunities to display their talents, too.
Kuhn, Mayhue and Dorceus each prepared by training in different locations in hopes of improving their numbers when the whistles blow at the Murphy Athletic Complex.
Mayhue, a receiver from Sicklierville, New Jersey, started three seasons and averaged nearly 15 yards per catch in his career. He chose to return to his home to prepare.
"I came to Jersey to train because I have better connections (there)," Mayhue said. "And I'm working with a speed trainer out of Philly who has worked with (Buffalo Bills) LeSean McCoy and Rod Streater."
Mayhue said his speed has improved dramatically and that he has become "more explosive" on his first steps and coming out of breaks.
"I'm planning on running a low 4.4 or 4.5 (40-yard dash)," Mayhue said. "I know I feel more explosive. And I can see it."
Mayhue has been training at Sports World in South Plainfield, N.J., and said three days a week have been devoted to footwork and explosion drills. Another day has been specifically tailored to speed technique tips and improving the last 15 to 20 yards of a 40-yard dash, while yet another has focused entirely on conditioning. Tuesdays and Thursdays were weight-room days.
"And we always work on routes," Mayhue said. "It's good to have a (veteran player) stop by and throw to you."
Kuhn trained in Chicago and stayed with his uncle and aunt, Mike and Susan Kuhn, and their two sons.
"It's been good to live with someone I'm comfortable with and it doesn't hurt that he's a chef, too," Gabe Kuhn said. "It's been great to get home-cooked meals. It's been easy on the wallet, too."
Kuhn has been training at EFT Sports Performance in Chicago and said it has "worked out perfectly." His uncle's chili and vegetarian lasagna have enhanced the experience.
"I've been in Chicago since Jan. 4," he said. "I've been working out six days a week and having a big day of treatment on Sundays .
"Obviously, every different facility has their particular way of teaching certain things," Kuhn said. "I could have trained in Memphis, but it was a better situation for me here in Chicago to get the best work I could get."
Like Mayhue, Kuhn said he has seen his speed improve. He's also used the past few months to work primarily on his hamstrings.
Dorceus, a running back with 24 career touchdowns, chose to stay in Memphis and said he's enjoyed working out and training where Pro Day will be conducted.
"I had plans on leaving and going to either Florida or California to train," Dorceus said. "But when I broke my ankle (Nov. 25 against East Carolina), the best thing for me was to stay in town. I had my resources here. I had the weight room here. I was more comfortable here."
Dorceus said he also ate healthy, something he likely would have done no matter where he trained. Dorceus routinely makes his own meals.
"That's something I've always done," he said.
Dorceus said his ankle is "100 percent" and he feels as good as the day he arrived.
As for Mayhue, he's familiar with Pro Day, having attended the past few to watch his former teammates go through the workouts. He's looking forward to showing the scouts how NFL-ready he is.
"I never thought I'd get to the point (physically) where I am right now," Mayhue said. "When April 3 comes, there's going to be a payoff. And once it's all over, I know it's going to be a big relief."
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