Q: Tell us about your college (or pro) career and what the recruiting/scouting process was like. Why did you choose (Midland University)?
A: My College career was a great experience indeed, I loved every part of and wouldn’t trade for nothing, thank the man above for allowing me to get to this point and now I will be walking away with a Degree at the end of the spring semester and a chance to play at the next level, that’s what I’ve always dreamed of. My recruiting process was fairly easy, I had some D2 schools and some Other NAIA Schools but I felt like midland was home, also my brother from my Juco attended Midland so it made the initial decision much easier.
Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?
A: The biggest Accomplishment so far is just being able to play at the college level, that in itself was big for me because growing up, I knew I could get here but I know it would take hard work and dedication. In all honesty though, as far as my biggest accomplishment in sports, I feel like it’s yet to come, just wait on it.
Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from the coaching staff while playing at (Midland University )?
A: One thing that I feel will always stick with me was play like it’s your last game or last play, whether that is in practice or the game, you never know when your career will end, so play full speed like and to your full capability.
Q: How was your career impacted due to the 2020 pandemic and what have you learned from the adversity?
A: Well it impacted my senior season, we had to cancel 3 of our games but I’m just so grateful that we were even able to play this season. A lot of guys weren’t able to play due to the pandemic, so I’m thankful that we were able too. One thing I learned from it is how to deal with adversity at a very high level, having to go through different test and having to take our temperature and check in at certain times, you know guys weren’t used to that, it actually helped our team become closer and we became one unit.
Q: What was your major and what are your plans if football doesn’t work out?
A: I’m a sociology major and if football does not work out, I’m looking to become and therapist and work with at risk kids.
Q: What would your current/past teammates say about you and your qualities?
A: They would say that I’m a team first kind of guy and I just want to win. They would say I work hard on and off the field and like I said, they would say I just want to win.
Q: What has been one of the most memorable plays of your career at any level?
A: I would say my most memorable play would be my first year at midland, my little brother DT scored on a Kick Return, I made two pivotal blocks to help him score, so I would say that’s my most memorable play.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how do you manage it?
A: One of my biggest challenges was coming out of high school, I believe I was 150 pounds, I took the juco route and for those who think Juco players are not good, then you have another thing coming, it was tough because I was going up against guys who were grown men. I’m a competitor so I definitely competed, They separated themselves because of their work ethic in the weight room and definitely showed on the field. I knew I needed to put some muscle on and that’s always been a challenge for me. I’m sitting at 195 right now, at a certain point, you have to adapt.
One thing that I feel will always stick with me was play like it’s your last game or last play, whether that is in practice or the game, you never know when your career will end, so play full speed like and to your full capability.
~ Darrin Gentry
Q: If you could compare yourself to a pro athlete, who would that be and why?
A: I would say that I compare to some one like Aquan Boldin, I say this because this guy is one of the best to ever do it. He’s a reliable pass catcher and he knows how to get open. I feel I hold some of the same qualities that he does. His routed were smooth to where he looked like he was trying. So I feel like I would compare myself to him most definitely.
Q: What is your biggest strength that you bring to a professional team and why should pro scouts consider you?
A: My biggest strength would probably be that I can bring a little bit of everything to the table. I feel my hands are great and I can really go get the ball. Getting in and out of my routes as well as well as my speed and quickness. When I actually get the ball, I can make guys miss or run over them. I can also block pretty good, so you should consider me because I can do a little bit of everything.
Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back” or ”pay it forward” in your community?
A: Well I have done community work before and also charity work, like giving food to the homeless and things like that. Also helped with camps at my high school.
Q: How are you preparing for the 2021 National Scouting Combine and what are your goals?
A: I’m preparing myself by working on things that will help me in the combine, explosive work and speed work as well. My goals is to just be myself and not do anything out of my character and just blow the scouts minds away with my abilities.
Q: What would be your ultimate achievement?
A: My ultimate achievement would to further my football career to the next level, I’ve been dreaming of that since I was young, Also helping my family with whatever they need, they’ve been on this journey with me so I feel like it would be time to give back to them.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when not playing football?
A: Honestly I like basketball as well and just relaxing. I also like to bake, cakes, cookies, brownies or whatever.
Q: If you could make a positive impact on all of society what would it be and why?
A: One positive impact would be that everyone is equal. That people shouldn’t be treated a certain because of their race, gender, religion or culture. I feel everyone is equal and nobody should be treated different. The reason I say this is because my parents always told me to treat people the way that you want to be treated and I know I don’t like getting treated unfairly, so why should anyone else be treated that way.
Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?
A: The most influential person in my life has to be my mom. She has made so many sacrifices for me and my siblings and we have had some tough times, but she has always made a way. I just tip my hat off to her and she has made me into the man I am today. She had never missed a game and I can’t thank her enough. So I would say my mom.
Q: What is something unique about you that people would find interesting?
A: something unique I would say that, I listen to all types of music no matter what Genre. If you look at my repertoire of music in my phone, you’d be amazed.
Q: What is your dream job?
A: My dream Job obviously is to be in the Nfl one day but I would say maybe like sports analyst or a sports caster
2024 National Scouting Combine
February 18-22 held at Grand Park Events Center in Westifled, IN. Accepting draft eligible nominations now!
“I would like to start this message by thanking you and everyone involved who made this opportunity possible. I am truly grateful for the experience and atmosphere you’ve cultivated through the National Scouting Combine. My journey has not been an easy one by any means. Losing my mother in 2017 to cancer, losing the house my brothers and I called home before attending this very event in 2018, and completely bombing the event left me completely shot mentally. This event that just took place gave me the motivation and hope for better days. That is exactly what has been provided to me. Opportunities I never considered have presented themselves to me with each passing day. WWE contract offers, Rugby offers, and NFL scout inquiries about what kind of man Jarrod Cann is, are just the first of many opportunities
that were made real through my participation in your event! Thank you for allowing me to tell my story on such a platform and allowing me to save lives with my story.”
“The National Scouting Combine was a great opportunity for me to get official test numbers and get my information out to teams and scouts to gain necessary exposure. It is always a big challenge for athletes to get official verified numbers but the National Scouting Combine gave me this opportunity. The entire staff works with the players to put them into the best position to succeed. They give players opportunities to promote themselves on and off the field. They have a setup to do all combine tests and to perform official position drills. The event also allows for players to gain useful contacts with teams and National Scouting Combine staff members to further promote themselves. The National Scouting Combine provided me with a chance to showcase my abilities as a free agent and put myself in a good position to have success in my pursuit to play professional football. I want thank the National Scouting Combine staff for giving players this unique chance to demonstrate their skills.”
“I had a great experience at the combine. The whole staff was extremely positive and really wanted the best for all of the players that attended. Being that I was a free agent and a season removed from NFL camps it was crucial for me to get new numbers to show I was still working hard. My only opportunity so far came from a scout who attended the combine. As players that’s why we attend these events, to be seen by the pro levels. I’m very greatful for the opportunity that was came from the combine. I’ll be recommending it to every player possible in the future who’s looking to go pro.”
My experience at the National Scouting Combine was an extremely positive one. Coming from a small school (Bryant University – Division I AA), opportunities to showcase my athleticism and measurables to pro scouts were scarce. However, Jimmy and his team gave me that opportunity when they put together a first-class event, in an outstanding venue and invited hundreds of players that had been overlooked or just wanted the opportunity to showcase their abilities. The connections, advice and coaching I received at the 2018 National Scouting Combine were priceless, as many pro scouts and coaches began to get in contact with me during and immediately after the combine. Jimmy and his team did an outstanding job of incorporating new, cutting edge technologies into the combine, while inviting well-respected coaches, scouts and former professional players to run the drills and provide coaching. Jimmy provided me with a platform to chase my dream of playing professional football that I would not otherwise have had, and in turn is part of the reason why many CFL teams took interest in me, why I was invited to Rookie Minicamps with the Jets and Texans and why I have now signed with the Orlando Apollo’s of the new Alliance of American Football League. The invitation to the 2018 National Scouting Combine was a blessing to me and my career and I would recommend any and all small school or overlooked college football player to attend and take advantage of this combine that, with Jimmy leading it, will continue to get better every single year.
“My testimonial would be because of COVID-19, it has hindered my ability to showcase my talents at pro days, workouts, and tryouts. But, because of the NSC I can still send official numbers and video to each team, while also gaining the opportunity to meet scouts in face and build a relationship with them. Lastly, the NSC is second only to the NFL combine which helps me have something else to hang my hat on as one of the top performers!”
“Thank you for the support and helping with promoting me for the next level. I am most definitely interested and my experience at the national scouting combine was incredible. It was my first official opportunity and it was a professional combine. All verified, legitimate laser times and numbers are vital to have especially in the times we are facing today. All of the coaches and personnel involved were professional in every aspect. It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to be apart of the national scouting combine and I can’t be more grateful to have verified numbers.”
“First and foremost I would like to thank the NSC staff for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of scouts and allow myself to get relevant combine numbers. This combine is by far the best Combine I have been to. The rooms were great and the food that was provided by NSC was great as well. You can feel that they had a passion for helping those who may not have had an NFL Combine invite and others who are just chasing that opportunity. They were extremely supportive and willing to market the players in every way possible. I was beyond impressed with the testing once we got going. Everything was very organized and professional just as it should be. When it came to the testing they had both hand time and laser time which makes your test times that much more official. The number of scouts that attended the Scouting Combine was even better. This staff truly knows how to put together a legit A+ combine experience and was by far the best combine experience I have been a part of.”
“I was fortunate enough to be a participant in the 2020 BSN Scouting Combine as it was an experience that I will surely never forget. Not only did it open opportunities for me to play football at the professional level, but it also shed light on my path to a football dream as an underdog. Not many athletes get this sort of opportunity and I am just blessed to have been apart of it.”
Pursuing a career in professional football from a small school is a lonely path. A prospect may have the support of his peers, family, and teammates, but the process can be overwhelming and very confusing. Often times small school prospects don’t have access to the resources provided to prospects at football powerhouses. “How can I get myself in front of scouts? How can I prove to them that I can play at the next level?” These are only a few of the many questions that race through a potential prospects mind on a daily basis.
The Beyond Sports Network National Combine helped simplify this process for many of the players that attended, including myself. Despite the combine being held for a few days, the information and services provided by the combine, as well as the sense of community between the staff members and prospects stood out to me. Every test that would be performed at the NFL combine was covered, every coach and staff member supported each prospect to an unbelievable extent, and the amount of scouts and agents in attendance and how interactive they were was impressive.
The Beyond Sports Network National Scouting Combine was a critical step in attempting to take my talents to the next level. If you are a small school prospect with no clear path to the next level, the National Scouting Combine will certainly clear up the path for you.
BSN gave me the platform I needed to be respected as a athlete. I came to there first Combine in 2010. I was pulled by every NFL, CFL scout. At that time there were a couple really good WRs including a SEC top WR who NFL scouts were coming to see. Once I put up good #s in my Testing Drills, we did one on ones. I showed my great covering skills to the point all the scouts herd the WRs talking and asking who was this guy. Then BSN promoted me and my numbers and I received workouts on all levels. I became a name in the business. Having legit numbers and respectable organization backing you is what you need. Everyone can say they can play and perform but coaches and scouts don’t believe you. BSN gives you the stage to perform and prove them wrong and get the opportunity you deserve. Because of BSN I was able to create a long professional career and when needed comeback to prove I could still play at a high level.