Former area athletes work out for NFL teams

It’s a practice facility Austin Allen has become quite familiar with. Corey Hoelck, on the other hand, not so much. 
Yet, for a short time March 22, the former Hamilton County standout athletes were shoulder to shoulder, showing off for NFL scouts at the Hawks Championship Center. 
Oz and Corey worked out for NFL scouts at Nebraska’s pro day last week with 28 of the 32 teams in attendance. 
For Oz, it was another chance to show teams that he’s a sure-handed receiver who has what it takes between the ears. 
For Corey, though, it may have been his one and only chance to make an impression. 
I’m no NFL scout, but the former Hornet looked the part to me. 
“I went out on that bigger stage and had fun,” Corey said. “When you step back and realize what you’re doing, in front of these teams in a billion-dollar industry, I got to be a kid out there repping the Loper blue.”
Corey proudly repped the UNK Lopers during his workout, having his measurements taken as well as going through on-field workouts. 
The former Hornet was participating in on-field workouts with Nebraska’s Cam Jurgens, someone who is rapidly climbing multiple teams’ draft boards. 
Corey looked like he belonged right there with Jurgens. 
“That was the best part of the day, getting that feedback and I felt confident afterward that I can go out and do this,” Hoelck noted. 
Corey’s former high school coach Jeff Ashby was also there, watching intently from field level, unable to hide his pride for one of the best to wear a Giltner uniform. 
“It’s fun to watch. It’s every kid’s dream to play football at the next level,” Ashby said. “For Corey to get the chance to even do this workout is pretty spectacular. It’s great.”
The former UNK lineman measured in at nearly 6’3” and 295 pounds with a wingspan of almost 78 and hand size of 9-1/2. 
Corey’s vertical was 28-1/2 while his broad was 8-09. His 40 time was just north of 5 seconds and his other tests were right in line with other linemen.
“All my jumps were in the range of what they needed to be,” Hoelck said. “You can’t PR every time. Position work felt good and I got a lot of good feedback.”
Corey wasn’t just handed this opportunity, either. As a Division II player, NFL scouts had to request to see him work out. 
One of the things Corey feels very positively about is his versatility on the offensive line. He can play all five positions, something he can boast about himself to NFL teams. 
Corey’s quick hands were on display and his hips flipped quite nicely for a bigger offensive lineman. There’s the explosiveness, too, that comes from playing in the interior. 
“This was a big accomplishment,” Corey said. “It’s about 10 years in the making from junior high, through high school and college, a real highlight for me.”
Corey really feels like he has as good of a shot as any. 
Hinwa Prince Allieu was the most recent Loper to sign as an undrafted free agent during the 2020 season. 
It’s back to the training room for Corey, working hard over the next month or so and just waiting for any calls. 
His phone will be on loud.
As for Oz, Nebraska’s pro day was much more of a formality than anything else. 
He skipped several of the workouts because he was already satisfied with his performances from the NFL combine earlier this month. 
His bench press numbers didn’t impress, lifting 225 pounds eight times. But, he wasn’t expecting them to jump off the paper. It was more of a formality.
“I was expecting that,” Oz told a gaggle of reporters. “I have long, skinny arms. They needed to see a number down on paper so there’s no red flags.”
What he did focus on was running routes and catching passes during the field exercises. 
The former Husky didn’t drop a single pass during the entire workout. Never even a bobble. 
It’s the sure-handedness teams can find on tape quite easily. 
“Today went well and can only help,” Oz said. 
In his conversations with NFL teams, Oz is keeping those close to the vest. One thing he did tell reporters was his hopes of getting bigger through training. 
“People want to see me put on some more muscle, but that’s something I already knew,” Oz said. “That’s the first thing I tell them I need to change.”
Since coming back from Florida last month, Oz has been able to see some of his now former teammates on the practice field. 
One of those is fellow former Husky Nate Boerkircher, who is earning some praise from coach Scott Frost in an otherwise questionable tight end room. 
“It’s good to see those guys out there practicing,” Oz said. “It hurts to not be out there with them. I’m excited to see them put a show on the turf.”
The biggest obstacle now is just to hurry up and wait. If NFL teams want a private workout with either Oz or Hoelck, they’re free to call. 
Otherwise, the wait is on for the NFL draft, slated for April 28-30. 
While watching both of these former area athletes working out for NFL scouts from the upper level of the Hawks Championship Center, my mind couldn’t help but wander every few minutes. 
The real possibility of having two former athletes from Hamilton County even in the discussion to be taken in the NFL draft. 
Everyone says they want to be a professional athlete when they’re in grade school, just trying out sports for the first time. 
Much of the time after that is spent trying to bring those kids down to realization just a bit, knowing most don’t make it pro. 
Austin Allen and Corey Hoelck sure do give kids in Aurora and Giltner reason to dream. 
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.