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 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

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.