Leavine eyes future

Offensive linemen aren't usually judged by how fast they can sprint. In fact, it's typically something they'd rather avoid.

"Usually if linemen are running 40 yards down field, more times than not something bad has happened," said Andy Leavine, alluding to an interception or fumble return. "But you've got to go out and prove you're an athlete."

That's what pro days are all about. Leavine, a former Central High offensive lineman who graduated from Springstead after a senior-year transfer, knows about that first hand.

Leavine, now a 22-year-old senior at Florida International University, recently participated in a pro day at FIU, and has another around the corner at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale.

At these pro days, participants are measured in such drills as the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, three-cone shuffle, 20-yard shuttle and broad jump, among others.

The idea is to give NFL teams a better grasp on each player's physical capabilities and limitations. Even for linemen, that means running hard.

"The first one was quite an experience," Leavine said. "It's such an adrenaline rush. There are about 18 teams there and 200 people or so are just there to watch. It is a lot of work.

"...That's what the scouts want to see. Can you move around and how explosive can you be?"

For the record, the 6-foot-5, 292-pound Leavine ran a 5.02 in the 40 at the FIU pro day. He also had 23 bench press reps, a 30" vertical jump and a 9'6" broad jump, while performing the three-cone drill in 7.87 and the 20-yard shuttle in 4.67.

He comes off a four-year Division I collegiate career where he initially started at left tackle before shifting to left guard, then back to the outside. In the spring he'll graduate with a degree in parks and recreation.

As he pursues a pro football career, Leavine has a new family to think about. He got married three months ago and his daughter, Aello, will turn six weeks old on Monday.

Preparing for the draft

In preparation for the draft, Leavine entered The Perfect TEST program under Brian Martin and Kevin Dunn. The program, offered by the TEST Football Academy, is designed to prepare players for the NFL Combine.

"I'm just training, training, training," Leavine said. "I've been training since December 28th. I'm going straight six days a week, 4, 5, 6 hours around the clock."

Once the pro days have passed, NFL teams typically invite players in for personal workouts. To this point Leavine said he is "playing the waiting game" since most organizations are preoccupied with free agency.

Regardless, the fact that he has obtained representation from Alliance Sports Management shows how serious he has taken this opportunity.

The NFL Draft takes place April 22-24, and he has until then to find his way on somebody's radar and eventually on some team's roster.

"Whether you get drafted, whether you're a free agent or a team calls you up for a tryout," Leavine said, "none of that matters once you strap on the pads.

"...It's big because I'm been doing this sport for as long as I can remember. I've put so much into it. Nothing is guaranteed to you after your last college game. It gets a new fire lit under you.

"...You never know what's going to happen with football. You might make a roster and you might play 15 years. You might play a week and that'll be the end of it. I'm trying to focus on training and riding this wave as far as it'll take me."

BY THE NUMBERS: ANDY LEAVINE AT FIU PRO DAY
40-yard dash: 5.02
Bench press: 23 reps
Vertical jump: 30"
Three-cone drill: 7.87
20-yard shuttle: 4.67
Broad jump: 9'6"