DeVier Posey, senior wide receiver out of Ohio State, is not a household name – not yet anyway. His skills, intangible qualities and strong production should make scouts take notice. Coming out of one of the most storied football programs in history, Posey ranks sixth, seventh, and eighth on Ohio State’s all-time list for career receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards, respectively.
Posey is at the NFL Combine ready to prove that he can be a dependable and dangerous receiver at the highest level of competition.
Pro Player Insiders caught up with the WR on his way to Indy.
To prepare for the Combine, Posey said he was , “strict on my schedule, focusing on good eating habits, regular workouts and flexibility.” He also worked on explosive movements and other things to prepare for the 40 and vertical.”
Posey said he was fortunate to spend time with a NLF legend and fellow Ohio State alum, Cris Carter. “Cris has shared some of the golden nuggets to being successful in the NFL.”
Carter is a great mentor for Posey, as their stories are similar out of Ohio State. Carter still ranks second all-time at Ohio State with 2,725 career pass receptions and fourth all-time with 168 career receptions. He also ranks second with 27 career touchdown receptions, one of the greatest receivers in Ohio State history. Another connection between the two OSU receivers is that they both missed a majority of their senior seasons due to ineligibility. Carter overcame that hurdle and went on to gain recognition as one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, now awaiting his call to Canton.
Carter’s advice to Posey, “If you want to stay in the running, you have to keep your head in the game. Remember this is what you do and just go out there and perform. Do what you do.”
Another person who has helped Posey prepare is his brother, Julian, a rookie practice squad cornerback for the New York Jets out of Ohio University. “My brother entered the league by way of free agency. He has been a great supporter” said DeVier.
Football does run in the Posey family. Clint Haslerig, Posey’s uncle, who played college football for the University of Michigan from 1971 to 1973 and in the NFL from 1974 to 1976 with the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Jets, has helped his nephew along the way as well.
Posey believes he would be a great pick for any NFL team. Why? “My intangibles are things that I will bring to any team as well as my ability as a player. I am a leader, a hard worker, love football, and love to win.”
“I am a guy that won’t allow myself to feel that my game is perfect. I am always working on my craft and trying to improve. Until I leave the game, that is something that I will do. That is a trait you can’t really measure. I am also fast and bring my speed and size to the game.”
He has even thought of a metaphor for his own playing style. “I can play any position on the field and I am a fan of the game. I like to use the term that I make my own bouquet of flowers. I pick things that I think are great from many players and see how they can translate to my unique abilities.”
PPI also found out some fun facts about Posey that many don’t know. His favorite music includes Lil’ Wayne, Rick Ross, and a lot of old school tunes, although he doesn’t have a favorite rapper. He refers to himself as a renaissance man when it comes to music and his favorite food is seafood.
With his football credentials, along with his 6’2”, 210 lb. body frame, Posey could certainly be a name to remember and watch out for in the next few years within the NFL. Aside from his suspension, he is one of the prospects who has respectably stayed in school for all four years, neglecting to declare for the draft early in order to get his degree and as much valuable collegiate football experience as he could, better preparing himself for the big league. He is on track to graduate from Ohio State this spring with a degree in communications and his pro day will take place on March 9th.
He was named all-Big Ten Conference honorable mention in 2010. For his career, he recorded six 100-yard receiving games, the biggest coming in Ohio State’s win over Oregon in the 2009 Rose Bowl, which included a 17-yard fourth-quarter touchdown to clinch the win. Posey has recorded 136 receptions for 1,955 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns.
Be sure to watch for the name DeVier Posey at the 2012 NFL Draft, April 26-28.
Scottie Graham contributed to this report.
