UT senior Kevin Kowalski has been working out in the Larimer Athletic Complex on campus anticipating this week’s NFL draft.
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Kevin Kowalski knows it’ll get worse before it gets better.
The anxiety and anticipation that the University of Toledo senior is experiencing will continue to grow until draft day.
A 6-foot-3, 300-pound offensive lineman, Kowalski has been working out, studying, and networking since January in the hopes of being selected in this year’s NFL draft, which runs Thursday through Saturday.
Most NFL scouting Web sites project Kowalski as a seventh-round pick or an undrafted free agent, and he said last week he has been in serious talks and attended private workouts with “a handful” of NFL teams.
“Aside from that, I’ve just been working out by myself and just waiting around at this point for the next week,” Kowalski said. “I try to keep myself occupied. I’m still taking online classes and training, so you stay pretty busy. But it’s definitely a little nerve-wracking, a little exciting.”
Following UT’s 34-32 overtime loss to Florida International in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, Kowalski went home to Macedonia, Ohio, for a week before commencing a training program in California.
After that, he participated in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., where he met with numerous NFL coaches, general managers, scouts, and other team personnel and showcased his ability to play either center or guard on the North squad.
“That was a great experience, getting to play against some of the best players in the country,” Kowalski said. “There was great competition down there, and it’s something that I think will definitely help me throughout this process.”
Kowalski then went back to California to prepare for his pro day at UT in March, focusing on paring his time in the 40-yard dash, increasing his vertical jump, and improving the other “measurables” NFL teams use to scout talent.
Since then, Kowalski has been staying in Toledo and working out in the Fetterman Training Center and in the weight room at Larimer Athletic Complex.
Although he’s focused on getting his body into the best shape possible and watching plenty of film to sharpen his football knowledge, Kowalski also understands most of his work is already complete.
“It’s all on film at this point,” he said.