While most Lakeland College students headed home on Friday or toward warmer Spring Break locales, senior Michael Esiobu was driving north.
Michael was bound for Minnesota, where he will perform at an NFL regional combine in front of National Football League scouts at the Minnesota Vikings practice facility.
Then next week, on March 8, the big-bodied Muskies receiver will participate in Northwestern University’s Pro Day – set up for Chicagoland natives who played college football to showcase their skills.
“I think these are both great opportunities to put Lakeland on the map, and also to demonstrate what I can do,” said Michael, who is majoring in business administration with a health care emphasis.
“Even though I know this is a long shot, I have an opportunity to show NFL scouts how good a receiver I am.”
Michael has recently been measured at 6-1½ and 223 pounds. His electronic 40 time, he said, was 4.6 and his hand-held time is just over 4.5.
Many of his other testing numbers are exceptional and rank among the best in the nation for his position. He bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times, which would have ranked first among all receivers had he performed at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Michigan State’s Aaron Burbridge was tops at that position with 20 reps.
Michael’s top vertical leap of 39.8 would have ranked fourth in Indy and his 10-6 standing broad jump would have been tied for ninth.
Last month, Lakeland standout punter Levi Barske participated at the Kohl’s Professional Camps 2016 Pro Combine for kickers, punters and snappers. Now, it’s Michael’s turn to raise his stock.
“I’m just looking for any opportunity to continue playing the sport I love,” Michael said, adding he’d consider the Canadian League or even Europe if he doesn’t get an NFL free agent offer.
“I obviously have nothing to lose. I’m going to give it my all, with a smile on my face.”