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Josh Petruccelli had plans for the winter heading into spring, however generally plans change.
Together with his soccer talent set, it’s comprehensible why Petruccelli isn’t prepared to hold up his soccer cleats.
The record-setting operating again from Mount Union who graduated from Perry was set to student-teach at Chagrin Falls Excessive Faculty the second half of this college season.
All-America RB @JoshPetr01 of @MountUnionFB was set to student-teach at Chagrin Falls this college yr however is taking his shot on the NFL @NHPreps @Perry_Pirates @purpleraiders @d3football pic.twitter.com/D7tZTE0t7E
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) February 10, 2022
Ideas of a doable profession in professional soccer saved lingering in his thoughts. Petruccelli desires to show and coach soccer at some point, however proper now he’s doing every little thing he can for a shot at an invitation to an NFL camp this summer time.
So one profession path is on maintain, and one other is underway.
“It’s simply merely, I feel I can do it,” mentioned Petruccelli. “I’m glad I’m giving it a attempt. Each little child who performs soccer, it’s his dream to an expert participant. Even when it doesn’t work, I received’t have any regrets.”
On Feb. 8, Petruccelli signed with agent Vince Calo, a graduate of West Geauga Excessive Faculty. Earlier than then, Petruccelli had been working with a household good friend who’s a private coach. This week, he started coaching with Tim Roberston, the John Carroll energy and conditioning coach who additionally operates Velocity Energy Techniques in Chester Township.
That’s the place Petruccelli is coaching with different professional soccer hopefuls from John Carroll — quarterback Jake Floriea of Mentor and Tyshawn Jones of Euclid.
Petruccelli has a lot to supply to an NFL staff when it comes to manufacturing. He’s confirmed to be sturdy — he performed 60 video games at Mount. He’s been productive with 5,171 speeding yards (solely the third operating again at Mount with no less than 5,000 yards) with 72 speeding touchdowns (77 whole). He’s additionally proven the flexibility to catch the ball, with 91 profession receptions, together with 39 final fall.
The important thing — as at all times, and particularly with small-college skilled-position prospects — is the 40-yard sprint. Petruccelli can’t keep in mind the final time he was clocked or ran a 40 however the aim from now till April is to work and enhance in that particular drill.
With 102 speeding yds final week vs. Johns Hopkins, @MountUnionFB RB Josh Petruccelli (@JoshPetro5) of @Perry_Pirates is simply third participant in class historical past to hurry for no less than 5,000 profession yards. Joins Nate Kmic (8,074), Chuck Moore (5,871). @NHPreps Picture courtesy @purpleraiders pic.twitter.com/iCWcQ3SGLW
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) November 29, 2021
“The aim is someplace within the low 4.5s or excessive 4.4 (seconds),” mentioned Petruccelli. “I do know I can do this.”
He’ll get his probability March 21 on the College of Toledo’s professional day. The invite got here through his relationship with former Mount Union coach Vince Kehres, who’s at present the defensive coordinator for the Rockets.
.@JoshPetr01 works on his 20-yard shuttle at Velocity Energy in Chester Township @purpleraiders @MountUnionFB @Perry_Pirates @NHPreps pic.twitter.com/a6CN8w9sFJ
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) February 10, 2022
“You’ve bought to showcase what you are able to do whereas the (scouts) are watching,” mentioned Petruccelli. “They need to see with their very own eyes. Movie can solely present a lot. They need to see how athletic and agile you’re.”
Petruccelli’s top isn’t ideally suited for professional operating backs at 5-foot-9, however his bulk (210 kilos) is greater than sufficient. When he and Calo met Feb. 9 to finalize their player-agent settlement, Calo mentioned his plan for NFL groups is an analytical one wherein he’ll market Petruccelli alongside the likes of former small-school operating again Danny Woodhead — who was a strong again for the Chargers — and present Patriots again Rex Burkhead.
The Woodhead comparability is perhaps the best-suited for Petruccelli. Woodhead performed at Division II Chadron State, and ran for 7,441 yards in 4 seasons. He wasn’t the tallest at 5-8, and his enjoying weight was a little bit greater than 200 kilos, however he performed a decade within the NFL with the Jets, Patriots, Chargers and Ravens.
That’s wonderful with Petruccelli, who is aware of all it’ll take is one staff exhibiting an curiosity.
“The league is a copycat,” mentioned Petruccelli. “They get a sure kind of operating again, and as they become older, they search for guys they’ve had earlier than with the identical talent set, the identical intangibles of men they’ve had earlier than.”
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