Twenty-eight running backs received an invite to participate in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo’s name was noticeably omitted from the invite list.
“I wanted it obviously,” Ozigbo admitted, “but as soon as I found out I wasn’t invited, I kind of just shook it off and was like, ‘Alright, I only have one more shot — gotta make sure I kill Pro Day.'”
After spending three seasons in a backfield committee, Ozigbo took the college football world by storm last season, rushing for 1,082 yards and twelve touchdowns — nearly matching his total from his first three seasons combined. In fact, he became the first Nebraska running back to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark since Ameer Abdullah accomplished that feat in 2014.
On the heels of a productive final season in Lincoln, Ozigbo received an invitation to compete against some of the top talents in college football at the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Ozigbo’s unique blend of size and tantalizing athleticism commanded attention from nearly every scout in attendance. His patience to allow his blocks to develop is an underappreciated facet of his game, and combined with his elegant footwork, allows him to maximize each carry.
Following an impressive week in St. Petersburg, Ozigbo traveled four hours south to Boca Raton to begin his Pro Day training at XPE Sports with Tony Villani.
After nearly six weeks of arduous training in South Florida, Ozigbo made his way back to the University of Nebraska, where the school’s annual Pro Day was slated for March 7.
His big day, however, got off to an inauspicious start:
“So I got a rental car,” Ozigbo began, “and it’s a Toyota RAV4, and they market themselves as the off-road car, so I was like, ‘okay.’ Then, there was a huge downpour of snow the night before Pro Day, so I go to back out, look for the four-wheel drive — and apparently this Toyota RAV 4 doesn’t have four-wheel drive. I got stuck in my driveway for like an hour — I was literally just going back and forth and couldn’t get out. I’m happy I was planning on getting a dynamic warmup in early because if I didn’t plan it better, I would have been late.”
The versatile runner tested through the roof at Nebraska’s Pro Day, producing a 10’04” broad jump, 37-inch vertical jump, 19 reps on the bench press — and perhaps most impressive, running between a 4.54-4.58 40-yard dash time at 222 pounds.
“I’ve heard anything from a 4.54-4.58 on my second one,” Ozigbo said. “On my first attempt — I clicked my heels, so I stopped. Then, I line up to do it again — and I clicked my heels again. I didn’t want to be the guy that stops, and then had to stop again, so I ran it through. I don’t know what time that was, but it wasn’t my best. I did way better on my second one — I’ve heard anywhere from a 4.54-4.58.”
Ozigbo credits XPE’s training methods for preparing him to hit that extra gear in his 40-yard dash:
“The way we trained at XPE, it was kind of in phases,” Ozigbo explained. “There’d be days where I’d have peaks in each phase. On Pro Day, it’s about putting all four phases together. I knew if I could get a good start and get a good transition from gear one to gear two, from gear three to gear four and so on — I knew I could run a pretty good 40.”
Ozigbo’s 37-inch vertical jump would have tied for fourth-best among all running backs at the Combine and his 10’04” broad jump would have tied for sixth, by the way.
The talented runner generated some attention from NFL teams at Nebraska’s Pro Day, speaking to the Chicago Bears prior to his workout and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the conclusion of testing.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, each team is permitted to bring in up to 30 prospects for pre-draft visits. While workouts are prohibited during these visits, teams are allowed to tour them around the facility and conduct a formal interview.
Ozigbo’s first official pre-draft visit was with the Cleveland Browns. The 22-year-old spent time touring the facility, meeting the coaching staff and going through medical testing.
The ascending running back then took a trip out to Minnesota to visit the Vikings, where he could potentially serve as an ideal complement to starter Dalvin Cook.
“Minnesota went well,” Ozigbo said. “I definitely felt really comfortable there. Their facilities are almost brand new and they were taking us around, introducing us to coaches. I had a nice talk with the GM, the owner — that was overall a pretty good trip. I got some good time with the running back coach, Kennedy Polamalu. That definitely went well, I feel like me and him had a great talk. I got to learn some things while I was there, and feel like he got a good chance to learn a little about me.”
While Ozigbo impressed during the extensive interview process for both teams, it’s his versatility that makes him one of the most complete backs in the draft.
“I feel like I bring a lot of the skill sets that a smaller back has to a bigger frame, so I feel like I can use those to my advantage,” Ozigbo said. “People don’t see it coming sometimes.”
Most recently, the Sachse native attended the Cowboys’ local day on April 5, where he was afforded another opportunity to showcase his skills in front of NFL brass. The former Cornhusker demonstrated solid burst and agility and caught the ball well in on-field drills.
Ozigbo’s power, patience, and finesse are sure to entice a team on draft day, and whatever team is fortunate enough to land the former Nebraska product will also be adding an outstanding locker room presence:
“I try to live my life to be the best person I can be,” Ozigbo explained. “I feel like I would be a positive influence for whoever I’m around, and I feel like I’m a very sociable person — I can get along with almost anybody. I want to be a guy that other people want to be around.”
Though his name was left off the invite list for the NFL Combine, the 2018 All-Big Ten selection is gradually beginning to receive well-deserved recognition in NFL circles — and on social media:
“I’m seeing a little bit here and there on Twitter,” Ozigbo acknowledged, “and I really do appreciate it. Having fans talking about you, it’s your dream. Dreams are about to come true — getting a chance to play in the league — so this is like the first step.”
