By Christian Klimaszewski
Even though football season ended in December, several LIU Post football players have been preparing to be drafted by an NFL football team. Running back Malik Pierre, wide receiver Mike Richardson, wide receiver Deon Mash, linebacker Jake Carlock, and defensive end Kevin Petit-Frere have been hard at work during the offseason in preparation for the NFL Draft. These players earned pro day invites at Columbia University Pro Day on March 14. At their pro day, NFL coaches and scouts can see the players perform drills in their positions and test their skills in the 40-yard dash, bench press, and much more.
“I had to get two NFL scouts to recommend me to the Columbia University coach, so I could get into their pro day,” Richardson said. He ended the LIU Post football season with 778 yards, 10 touchdowns, and was named to the All NE-10 first team.
“My pro day went really well. A lot of coaches and scouts liked the way I performed and everything,” Petit-Frere said. Petit-Frere ended the season with 11.5 sacks, 53 tackles, and was named to the All-American second team. “Kevin was a monster on the field this season. It always felt like he was making a big play,” play-by-play commentator for the football team and LIU Post junior broadcasting major Jason Glickman said.
The players did very well at their pro day, earning them invites to workout with the New York Giants. “After performing all the drills and tests, a Giants scout approached me and invited me to their local pro day on April 5,” Carlock said. Carlock ended the season with 67 tackles and 4 sacks. He made two huge plays to help his team win the NE-10 championship and was named NE-10 Defensive Player of the Year.
As for the workout with the New York Giants, each player worked on drills with his position coach. “We went on the field and did positional work, ran routes with quarterbacks, and then stayed after to catch punts,” Richardson said. He also returned punts for the Pioneers during his three years on the team. Considering Richardson, Mash, and Pierre are offensive players, they went with the offensive coaches from the New York Giants, while Carlock and Petit-Frere went with the defensive coaches for the professional team.
“It went well. They had me do different linebacker drills to get a good look at me,” Carlock said. Carlock was able to work out as a long snapper, too. “I felt good out there. I felt confident about the drills and my performance.” Petit-Frere was a dominant defensive end for the Pioneers during his four-year career in green and gold, but the New York Giants’ coaches had Petit-Frere work out as an outside linebacker. “With my size, length, and everything, outside linebacker fits me well in a 3-4 defense,” Petit-Frere said. “I’d be like a stand-up defensive linebacker, but could also drop back into coverage against tight ends, running backs, and wide receivers.”
Carlock and Petit-Frere both grew up New York Giants fans and it was a surreal moment for them to be working out with their favorite team. “I’ve been a Giants fan my whole life. Seeing the facilities and everything was just amazing. It will be something I’ll never forget,” Carlock said. For Petit-Frere, growing up, his favorite player on the New York Giants was former All-Pro and former Super Bowl Champion, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. “Getting to actually be where he once was and hopefully get a chance to play for them, it’s just mind blowing,” Petit-Frere said.
The New York Giants is not the only teams in contact with some of the LIU Post football players. The Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons also contacted Petit-Frere. “My agent did speak to the Lions, Colts, 49ers, and Redskins about me after my pro day,” Richardson said.
“I was able to watch these guys week in and week out. These guys are game changers,” Glickman said. “I would not be surprised if the NFL picks up one of these guys.” The football players will have to wait and hope until the NFL Draft from April 27-April 29 to hear if their names are called and their dreams come true to be drafted in the NFL.
This article was originally published in the Pioneer, the award-winning student newspaper of LIU Post, www.liupostpioneer.com, and is republished here by Blank Slate Media with the permission of the Pioneer.
