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Jake Floriea and Tyshawn Jones of John Carroll have at all times been soccer gamers, however now they’re soccer gamers with goals of taking part in professional soccer.
Like many who’ve performed, calling it quits is usually simpler stated than completed.
Floriea — a Mentor grad — wasn’t certain if his final go in an organized recreation was Nov. 13 towards rival Baldwin Wallace.
Jones — a Euclid grad — wasn’t certain if his final deal with was towards those self same Yellow Jackets on the identical day, which produced a dramatic come-from-behind 29-28 win for the Blue Streaks.
Each had been instrumental within the victory. Floriea was on course, particularly within the fourth quarter. He completed 25 of 40 for 281 yards and three touchdowns — together with the game-winning 25-yard TD go to Kirtland grad Joey Torok with seconds remaining in regulation.
INCREDIBLE rally as @JFloriea2 finds Joey Torok for a TD with 45 secs left and @JCUFootball leads 29-28 pic.twitter.com/UFd0yzMozJ
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) November 13, 2021
On the opposite aspect, Jones was in on 9 tackles vs. BW. For the season, the defensive again led JCU with 34 solo tackles and 36 assists.
Nearly two months later, Floriea and Jones have made it official they aren’t prepared to hold up their cleats. They’re at present coaching with JCU power and conditioning coach Tim Robertson and Roberston’s Pace and Energy facility in Chester Township.
“I instructed anyone I used to be speaking to, I’m not completed,” stated Jones.
Former @JCUFootball DB Tyshawn Jones (@_1Ty_) of @EUCPanthers is utilizing his standing as a small-school prospect as motivation whereas chasing his dream of taking part in professional soccer @jcusports @NHPreps pic.twitter.com/eBCKUwCJZy
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) January 7, 2022
Their targets are the identical, which is to impress and catch the attention of any crew within the NFL, CFL and even the brand new upstart USFL that can play video games beginning this spring.
The time because the finish of JCU’s season in mid-November have been necessary for the previous Blue Streaks standouts. Each obtained an invite to play within the Jan. 17 Dream Bowl, an all-star recreation in Salem, Va., that includes gamers from FCS, Division II and Division III.
The week in Salem will embody 4 practices in entrance of what’s anticipated to be 30-plus scouts from the NFL and CFL, then the sport, which kicks off at midday on Martin Luther King Day.
“When you impress somebody there, they is likely to be like, ‘Hey, we wish to see you at a professional day.’ ” stated Floriea, who threw for 2,519 yards and 19 touchdowns final fall for JCU.
Former @JCUFootball QB @JFloriea2 is taking his shot at professional soccer. It begins Jan. 17 at @TheDreamBowl in Salem, Va. as small-school prospect and he’s prepared for the problem. @jcusports @MentorAthletics @NHPreps pic.twitter.com/wUuU27F0dN
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) January 6, 2022
Following the Dream Bowl, Floriea and Jones hope to get invited to a neighborhood faculty professional day in March. The almost certainly possibility seems to be at Youngstown State, the place former JCU defensive coordinator Joe Schaefer is in the identical function with the Penguins.
As is at all times the case throughout the pre-draft season, flexibility and velocity drills are paramount. The last word purpose is a flashy time within the 40-yard sprint and agility drills such because the 20-yard shuffle and the three-cone.
Robertson’s latest addition to his facility is the 1080 Sprint, a resistance machine that checks dash speeds and alter of actions and measures limbs actions and comparisons between left and proper efficiency.
“The higher athlete I might be, the higher shot I’ve,” stated Floriea. “If I can publish (40) time and separate myself, that’s large.”
Floriea and Jones will want any and all throughout the subsequent few months as small-school prospects. Jones — a 6-foot, 210-pound security — understands the percentages are stacked towards Floriea and himself however that gained’t cease Jones from chasing his dream.
“I undoubtedly maintain that on my shoulder, maintain that chip on my ought to being a small-school dude,” stated Jones. “Performing longer than among the dudes that went D-I out of highschool. I simply wish to present and show I’ve the flexibility to be soccer participant. Popping out of highschool, I didn’t have big-time affords and I felt I used to be participant. I at all times held that chip like, ‘OK, I’ll go to a D-III faculty and attempt to make it out of a D-III faculty and present individuals I can play.”
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