May 21, 2012
Carroll's Wagner and Bartlett Preparing For Their Football Futures
Every football player that's ever donned the pads has shared the dream to one day play professionally. And former Carroll teammates Gary Wagner and Bubba Bartlett are working hard to turn that dream into a reality.
Both players drew the attention of NFL scouts in the 2010 season, and were invited to postseason all-star game as a result. And both will be drilled in front of professional scouts at the University of Montana's Pro-Day on March 13th. "Everything I'm doing right now serves a purpose," said Bartlett, the All-America tight end. "Right now, everything's kind of a big question mark.. You just gotta have faith in working out and doing the training." "I want to play wherever I can play at the next level," added the 2010 Frontier Offensive MVP Wagner, "I've just been working trying to improve arm strength and get a little faster, and there's a possibility of something happening." Wagner has enlisted the help of his best friend, rookie NFL Pro-Bowler Marc Mariani - someone who's been through what Wagner is about to experience. "He's going to work with me on my first get-off for my 40 (yard dash), my pro agility stuff and he's going to run routes for me." Wagner said. Mariani believes sharing his experiences as an NFL prospect will help his friend's stock increase. "I know what it feels like, a year ago I was in (Gary's) shoes." explained Mariani. "Once he gets a shot, I think he'll be fine - it's breaking through the door and getting that opportunity." Mariani added, "The one thing I'm going to try and help him with is the mindset." Bartlett, a tight end throughout his career, is projected as a fullback or H-back at the next level. So he's had to adapt and learn new skill sets while preparing for the drills he'll run through in front of scouts. "It's kind of different, having a different approach to training." Bartlett said. "It's more for a track meet than being a football player." The immediate future of the NFL is uncertain but both players know they can only worry about themselves. "If I can go out and run a good 40, bulk up and show some good arm strength on the 14th in Missoula - I have all the confidence in the world that someone might take a chance on me." Wagner said. Bartlett echoes those sentiments, "You can only help yourself, it's the way you play is what determines everything - it's not someone else that will get you there. It's all about you." |
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