Patriot Killa Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 https://www.google.com/amp/s/articles.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/04/nfl_draft_2018_akrum_wadley_after_visiting_giants.amp NFL Draft 2018 | N.J.'s Akrum Wadley after visiting Giants, Jets: 'I'm going to produce' | Next RB steal? Updated on Apr 09, 2018 at 11:17 AM EDT NEWARK -- In order to be ready for his future, Akrum Wadley is reliving his past. About 20 hours after temporarily filling a locker two down from Eli Manning's at the Giants training facility, Wadley was back in the weight room at his alma mater, Weequahic High School. Wadley pushed through the "Four Quarters" gauntlet Saturday morning - back-to-back-to-back-to-back treadmill, bench press, leg lifts and squats four times each - as he prepares to become a NFL running backin less than three weeks. "Every time I step in here, I just get flashbacks from 2011-12, when I was here putting in all that work," Wadley told NJ Advance Media. "I always remember the grind, and it puts you in the mood to go hard because this is where it all started." Wadley ranks in the career top 10 in rushing yards, all-purpose yards and scoring at the University of Iowa, and he trained earlier this year for the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine and Iowa's Pro Day at EXOS Athletes' Performance Institute in Florida. The strangest thing that has happened to him during the process? A NFL coach challenged him to three staring contests. Three! "I was just going along with it," he said. "I didn't blink. It was a little weird." But the two-time All-Big Ten honoree is home now and fresh off a surreal experience: Participating inlocal Pro Days for the Jets and Giants late last week. "Just being around the coaches and the vibes, it gives me the chills when I step in a NFL locker room," Wadley said. "Just thinking about how it's been my dream to play in the NFL since I was a kid and now it's finally here. You can't pay for moments like that." Close to home The Jets asked Wadley to run a route tree out of the backfield. The Giants put him through running back drills and routes, and later he had a private chat withposition coach Craig Johnson. "We hit it off," Wadley said. "It was a get-to-know-you (talk)." By including the New Jersey native in local day, the Giants and Jets did not have to use one of their NFL-capped 30 pre-draft prospect visits on Wadley. The week was a taste of what life could be like if drafted by one of his home teams later this month. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Wadley is projected as a fifth- or sixth-round pick by NFL.com - a sign of concerns about his size, not production - but he wants better. It's in his voice as he soaks in advice from fellowNewark native Tahir Whitehead of the Lions and former Iowa teammates playing in the NFL. It's written all over Wadley's wincing face as Weequahic strength and conditioning coach Wesley Lee dictates the pace of "Four Quarters." Former teammate Keith Long participates, too, to provide a competitive push. "Every workout is four quarters or more," Wadley said. "If it's a heavy workload day, it's plus overtime. It's a game simulator." Wadley's parents are Giants fans, but he admits only to having been a fan of then-Vikings star Randy Mossfan growing up. Team allegiances are only trouble at this point. "It would be a good thing," Wadley said of playing close to home, "but I feel like I don't care where I go as long as I get the opportunity. I know wherever I go, I'm going to produce -- and I'm going to be the man." The next draft steal? Wadley's confidence comes from a track record overcoming longshot odds. He slipped to No. 7 on the depth chart as a true freshman at Iowa and didn't break through until his redshirt sophomore season,years after many former high school stars in his situation would have transferred. He has one class left -- and a plan to enroll in it in spring 2019 -- to earn his degree. "I learned to work hard and be humble," Wadley said. "Your life can change in a second. I went from the back guy to the front guy; then I ended up in the doghouse; then I ended up back at the top. You could be living up here one day, and the next day it could all go away in a split second." So he wasn't about to let up one day after his Jets and Giants introductions. "While you are breathing hard!" Lee shouted. "It's the fourth quarter, I need a play." "I always knew I'm not a guy with a big ego," Wadley said. "I like to work. People close to me are always telling me, 'You get out what you put in.' I knew was talented. I knew I could produce. It's a matter of me staying committed and sticking with it even when things get hard." While Wadley isn't drawing the same hype as projected top 5 pick Saquon Barkley , he held his own with 155 all-purpose yards when Iowa lost to Penn State in September. Barkley had 358 in the same game. "I'm an all-around player," Wadley said. "In college, I played offense, defense for a few (days) and special teams. I usually tell coaches, 'Put me anywhere,' but I'm a running back. I can catch out of the backfield. I can make people miss. I'm a playmaker." Three months later, Wadley went out on a high as MVP of the Pinstripe Bowl. In 2017, Alvin Kamara (Saints) won NFL Rookie of the Year honors and fellow rookie Kareem Hunt(Chiefs) led the NFL in rushing yards last season. Both backs were rookie third-round picks, and neither was handed a starting job. Can Wadley be the next draft steal at running back? "However it all pans out, I'm going to go into any organization and I'm going to produce, whether it's the practice squad or on the field," Wadley said. "From the bottom to the top, I'm going to always go hard. I'm ready to see what the future has in store for me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuscanyTile2 Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 He has a great football name. I'm in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuscanyTile2 Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 I wouldn't at all be surprised if Saquon Barkley doesn't turn out to be the best RB in this draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Killa Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 2 minutes ago, TuscanyTile2 said: He has a great football name. I'm in! Seems like a hard working no-nonsense type of guy. You want these players in your locker room...especially if they wind up turning heads on the field in the process. seems super gratified with everything he earns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freestater Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Absolutely! I love this kid. He destroyed Ohio State. He's got a real good cut and run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Killa Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 7 minutes ago, freestater said: Absolutely! I love this kid. He destroyed Ohio State. He's got a real good cut and run. So like a David Johnson style player? Because Johnson’s jump cut is extremely good. I’m hearing this kid can catch out of back field like DJ too. @HawkeyeJet anything to add for Wadley? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradis Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 12 minutes ago, Patriot Killa said: So like a David Johnson style player? Because Johnson’s jump cut is extremely good. I’m hearing this kid can catch out of back field like DJ too. @HawkeyeJet anything to add for Wadley? no.... not like David Johnson. I'm neutral on Wadley, but "steal"?... I call bullocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freestater Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 I watched a few Iowa games, and from what I saw, he has really good vision for being a smaller back. (Not sure of his height/weight) saw him juke a couple 'backers out of their cleats. If I had to give a comparison, I'd have to say a Sproles kinda guy. Seems to keep his momentum after a change of direction, good explosion from a cut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuscanyTile2 Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 2 minutes ago, freestater said: I watched a few Iowa games, and from what I saw, he has really good vision for being a smaller back. (Not sure of his height/weight) saw him juke a couple 'backers out of their cleats. If I had to give a comparison, I'd have to say a Sproles kinda guy. Seems to keep his momentum after a change of direction, good explosion from a cut I've wanted the Jets to have a Sproles kind of RB ever since Sproles got into the league. We never have that guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Killa Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 4 minutes ago, Paradis said: no.... not like David Johnson. I'm neutral on Wadley, but "steal"?... I call bullocks. I don’t know much about him. I haven’t watched Iowa a day in my life to be honest lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nycdan Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Every article about any RB not named Barkley or Guice inevitably talks about 'the next Kamara'. It's like the new easter egg hunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio State NY Jets fan Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 35 minutes ago, freestater said: Absolutely! I love this kid. He destroyed Ohio State. He's got a real good cut and run. Sad but true, and that same defense held Saquon Barkley to just 50 yards rushing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkeyeJet Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 When Wadley runs, he reminds me of LeSean McCoy. He makes people look like they are trying to tackle water. He's not as big as McCoy, and I don't think he can be an every down back because of it. But strictly from an ability to make people miss with lateral moves, the first person that popped into my head 3 years ago was McCoy, and it still is. He is not a straight line burner, but he is fast enough, and he does not lose speed going in and out of his breaks. He can catch the ball. He has exceptional vision, which is of utmost importance in a zone scheme. I think he will be a good NFL player, but I don't think he's a 20 touch guy. I would love to have him in Rd 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirlancemehlot Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 1 hour ago, TuscanyTile2 said: I've wanted the Jets to have a Sproles kind of RB ever since Sproles got into the league. We never have that guy. Danny Woodhead was close. But we cut him outright. For no reason, really. Then took Joe McKnight to fill that role. Ahh...Mike Tannenbaum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurnleyJet Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 I just don't see them going RB with their FA signings of Crowell and Rawls. We also have Powell and Maguire still in the mix. It's Edge or Oline in the third and 4th for NYJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradis Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 16 hours ago, Patriot Killa said: I don’t know much about him. I haven’t watched Iowa a day in my life to be honest lol. Who has? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkeyeJet Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 16 minutes ago, Paradis said: Who has? Easy now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetstream23 Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Is Round 4 a realistic spot for this guy? Also, while (before the trade to #3) I would have loved one of the Tier 2 RBs in this class with one of our 2nd round picks, I'm now thinking the Jets are somewhat set with young RBs on the depth chart (Crowell, Powell, McGuire all still have several years of tread on the tires IMO) so not sure that RB is an impending need unless it's a real difference maker (which one of the 2nd round guys could have been). I'd rather look to OLine, TE and Edge in Rounds 3 and 4 this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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