California Strength was well represented in the 2012 NFL Playoffs. Both of the athletes that we trained before the 2011 NFL Combine, Ryan Whalen and Jeff Maehl, got their first taste of the postseason in their rookie years with their respective teams, the Cincinnati Bengals and Houtson Texans. The two met in the first round of the playoffs, with the Texans eeking out the win in Houston over the Bengals, which came in as a wild card team. The future is bright for both of these guys, and hopefully both of their young teams will be regulars in the postseason for years to come!

Jeff Maehl, who did his NFL Combine training at California Strength, was added to the active roster for the Houston Texans this week. The former University of Oregon standout was picked up as an Undrafted Free Agent by the Houston Texans during the offseason, and had been playing on the practice squad until he got the call. At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, IN, Jeff broke the all-time record for the 3-Cone drill with a blistering time of 6.42 seconds.

Houston Texans WR, Jeff Maehl

Darian Hagan, standout DB from the University of California, Berkeley, missed receiving an invite to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, IN by a very slim margin. That didn’t stop him from coming to Cal Strength to train and make sure that he did the best he could at the Cal Pro Day. Just like the other Cal Strength trainees that have attended a scouting event, Darian came through with shining colors. He posted the top 40-yard dash and 3cone drill times at the Cal Pro Day, as well as the top 20-yard and 60 yard shuttle times. On top of all that, he managed to post a PR in the bench press. With 4 Combine Invitees in attendance, there were plenty of scouts out to take notice of Darian’s strong showing and put him back on the NFL Draft radar.

Check back soon to see how our other Combine Trainees do at their respective Pro Days!

Continuing the strong performances of the 2011 Cal Strength Combine Prep class, Brennan Marion turned in an extremely strong showing at the Tulsa Pro Day. He posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.34 seconds, which would’ve tied him for the second best time at this year’s NFL Combine, and by far the best time of any WR. He also posted the top results of any competitor at the event in the 3-cone drill, vertical and broad jumps, bench press, and the 20-yard shuttle. These results are particularly impressive because Brennan is coming back from a second knee surgery, and he should once again find a spot on an NFL roster this year after playing last year with the Miami Dlophins.

Jeff Maehl had an extremely successful showing at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, IN. On top of strong showings in the route running and gauntlet events, Jeff also broke the all-time record for the 3 cone drill with a 6.42 second time. The previous record, held by a DB, was 6.45, and the fastest time ever recorded by a WR had been 6.52. Jeff also finished 1^st in the 60 yard shuttle, falling just .01 seconds short of breaking the record time in that event as well with a 10.87 time. His 3.94 in the 20 yard shuttle was good for the 2^nd fastest time by a WR, and topped off his impressive showing in front of scouts and coaches at the combine. Jeff also weighed in at 190 lbs., 9 lbs heavier than the 181 lbs. that he played at Oregon, helping to dispel some scouts’ concerns of his slight frame. Jeff definitely improved his draft stock with his stellar performance at the Combine last weekend.

Jeff Maehl NFL Combine of the Oregon Ducks

Ryan Whalen exceeded expectations at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, IN last weekend, continuing his rise up scouts’ charts following his solid showing at the Shrine Bowl. Despite past reports of limited athletic ability and physical tools, Ryan proved detractors wrong by setting personal records in the vertical jump, 3 cone, broad jump and bench press drills. He finished in the top 10 in several of those events, as well as the 20 and 60 yard shuttle, and top 15 in every category except the 40 yard dash, out of 46 WRs. Ryan also had tremendous showings in the route running and gauntlet drills, displaying great route running ability and great hands. He could envision himself playing for Jim Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers, his childhood team, and he may very well get the chance after showing that he is indeed one of the elite athletes at the WR position in this draft.

The NFL Combine team of 2011 is just days away from showtime. Good luck Ryan Whalen and Jeff Maehl, the first up on Sunday for the team! Here is a video of some of the final route running, sprint work, and they NFL Combine and Pro Day group getting ready.

Seems like everyone was hitting PR’s on Friday. Here is a short clip of some of the big ones, with Ryan Whalen, Mike Smith, Jeff Maehl, Caleb, and Willie Glasper all hitting PR’s in the Squat, Bench, and Clean. Then we finish with the Olympic Weightlifting Teams youngest and newest addition Spencer Moorman at 19 years old sticking a PR Snatch of 160 kg.

Great Day Guys!

California Strength in San Ramon Preparing Football Players for 2011 NFL Scouting Combine

Hoping to duplicate the success of former Oregon Duck and California Strength Combine Prep alumnus, TJ Ward (2^nd Round Pick Cleveland Brown), top collegiate players from around the Country descend on San Ramon!

Future NFL Stars from across the country are at California Strength for the next few weeks to prepare for the NFL Combine.  California Strength has emerged as one of the premier athletic training facilities in the Country.  TJ Ward, a De La Salle High School alum who spent two months training at California Strength preparing for the 2010 Combine, was taken in the 2^nd round by the Cleveland Browns in last year’s NFL draft and quickly claimed the starting safety position for the team.  He finished 2^nd amongst all safeties in the NFL in tackles.

Class of 2011

Ryan Whalen

Ryan Whalen

Whalen is a local superstar who attended Monte Vista and walked-on at Stanford University. Whalen has been training with Dave Spitz owner of Cal Strength for years. Ryan led Stanford in receiving in 2008 and 2009, earned Honorable Mention All Pac-10 Honors in 2009 and 2010, and was an Academic-All American in 2010. He was also nominated by the team to serve as Team Captain in 2010, and is projected to go in the middle rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Jeff Maehl

Jeff Maehl
Arguably the best football player to come out of Chico, CA since Superbowl winning QB Aaron Rodgers. Maehl helped to lead the University of Oregon to the 2011 NCAA National Championship Game. Jeff led Oregon in receiving in both 2009 and 2010, earning 1^st Team Pac-10 honors and an All American Honorable Mention in 2010.  Maehl is projected to go in the early to middle rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Mike Smith

Mike Smith

The starting Offensive Tackle for Nebraska’s bruising run offense for 2 years from 2008-2009, Smith missed his entire senior season with a broken leg but is looking to regain his top prospect status with a strong showing at the Nebraska Pro day on March 10^th.  If the 300 pounder can assuage scouts’ concerns about his recovery from injury and turn in a good performance at the Nebraska Pro Day on March 10^th, he should regain his former status as a middle to late round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

These three college standouts headline a group that includes Victor James of New Mexico, Sifa Etu from Arkansas St., and Caleb McKenzie of Adams St.. All are training to ensure strong showings at their respective college Pro Days, and are hoping to earn invitations to NFL team tryouts. They are being joined by Brennan Marion, Willie Glasper and Cameron Colvin, all of whom are already playing professionally. Marion, the NCAA record holder for single season yards per catch and fastest WR to 1000 yards, played his college ball at Tulsa and was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent last year. Former De La Salle and University of Oregon standouts Willie Glasper and Cameron Colvin, both of whom played for the UFL Sacramento Mountain Lions last year, have invitations to join the UFL team again, but are hoping to catch on with NFL teams.

People have been asking for the NFL Combine Workouts at California Strength that David Spitz puts together for athletes like TJ Ward and the 2011 class including studs for this years draft. Here is a snapshot of Ryan Whalen, Jeff Maehl, and Mike Smith for their gym workouts at California Strength. It does not include their track workouts. We will work on getting those up in the near future.

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