Monday, April 27th, 2015
Lefeld hopes to hear from NFL
By Gary R. Rasberry
Photo by Jason Snyder/The Daily Standard
University of Cincinnati lineman Eric Lefeld has been working hard in hopes of being drafted during this weekend's NFL Draft. File Photo.
The college football season ended in January for Eric Lefeld, but that doesn't mean he's been lounging around.
The Coldwater graduate and University of Cincinnati offensive lineman has been working out with the hope that a NFL team calls him this weekend when the NFL Draft takes place in Chicago.
Lefeld's resume is solid: a three-time first-team all-conference selection (once All-Big East, twice All-American Athletic Conference), four bowl game appearances and a three-year starter at left tackle for the Bearcats.
However, Lefeld did not receive an invitation to the NFL scouting combine held in Indianapolis in March.
After finishing his football season, Lefeld, who earned his degree in 2014, traveled to Bommarito Performance Systems in Davie, Fla., where owner Pete Bommarito has worked with numerous athletes in several sports. Lefeld spent nearly two months in Florida working on not only his weight training, but also getting settled into a new nutritional routine.
"Pete's really good with speed training, but that's only a fraction of the (regiment)," Lefeld said. "It was (about) getting stronger and increasing upper body strength. There was a lot of great training. Great day of work.
"The way I was eating down there (in Florida) compared to the way I was eating in college is day and night. You can see how it can change the body with great training and discipline. It was the whole package down there."
Lefeld returned to Cincinnati to take part in the Bearcats' Pro Day, where scouts come in to work out Bearcat seniors. Lefeld also mentioned that he worked out with the Cincinnati Bengals as well.
After that, Lefeld has continued to work out as his agent sends out information and answers inquiries from interested teams.
"Just been working out and running," Lefeld said. "It's been a nervous time, waiting for everything to pan out.
"My agent has been in contact with a lot of teams. Teams have been getting my information. It's a big thing having a lot of film over the past four years. Very exciting time."
Primarily a left tackle in college, Lefeld has been told that he could benefit by moving inside the line to a guard position.
"That's some of the feedback that I'm receiving in going to guard. I'm more than open to do it," Lefeld said. "I think it's another great trait to be able to play guard. I have a lot of film at tackle - right tackle early in my career and then at left tackle the last three years. I'll play wherever I need to. I know I can transfer my skills from tackle to guard if I need do."
The chances that Lefeld could become the third former Cavalier to be drafted in the NFL - joining Ross Homan (sixth round to Minnesota) and Keith Wenning (sixth round to Baltimore) - are probable. Some projections have Lefeld as a sixth- or seventh-round pick.
Lefeld will be back home in Coldwater this week to visit friends and family. The draft starts Thursday with the first round and the second and third rounds take place Friday. Saturday will be the big day with the final four rounds taking place.
"I'm going to be back in Coldwater around my family (and) just relax and enjoy this last part of the process," Lefeld said. "I'll try not to get too nervous."
