LEC’s Kukwa hoping to hear name on Day 3

The popularity of the NFL Draft — some could make the case — stems from the event intersecting the pro and college game for one weekend.

It’s also likely the only time we will see Alabama and Lake Erie College competing for anything pertaining to football.

That’s the case on Day 3 of the NFL Draft on April 29, when the first long snapper could be selected.

Yes, a long snapper. It’s a skill NFL teams value these days. Perry graduate Anthony Kukwa of Lake Erie College end and H-back could separate could be that Kukwa from the rest of long snapper the long-snapper class. picked — if Kukwa has good size at Alabama’s 6-foot-2, 231 pounds, and Cole Mazza performed well at the University doesn’t beat of Toledo’s pro day. him to it. There, he ran the 40-yard

According dash in 4.63 seconds. to CBSSports.com, His other results from the pro day: Kukwa and Mazza are the • 20-yard dash: 2.70 seconds Nos. 1 and 2 ranked long snappers in this year’s • 10-yard dash: 1.63 seconds draft.

Kukwa is projected as a • 225-bench press: 27 pick in the last round (seventh) reps or a free-agent signee. • Vertical jump: 37½ Mazza isn’t far behind, especially inches with “Alabama” attached • Broad jump: 10-7 to his name. Kukwa • 20-yard shuttle: 4.39 knows he’s a wild card. seconds

His versatility as a tight • 3-cone drill: 7.03 seconds Kukwa wishes he had run a faster 40-time, but praised the help he received from trainer Tim Robertson of Speed Strength in Chester Township preparing for his pro day.

Kukwa has also been working with former NFL quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who starred at Iowa and is a Lake Catholic graduate.

The work is complete. Now, it’s a waiting game for Kukwa.

“It’s a matter of if a team is willing to pull the trigger on me,” Kukwa said. “I’m on teams’ draft boards, but I know the odds of me getting drafted are long. Once I get my opportunity, I think I can make the most of it.”

Kukwa said seeing his name pop onto the screen as a drafted player would be “cool” but he’s preparing for the other option, which is signing with a team after the draft as a free agent.

“I have options after the draft,” he said. “My agent feels confident. We’re optimistic.”

Being a product of a tiny Division II school that was 0-11 in 2016 isn’t a huge boost to Kukwa’s draft stock, and he’s aware of that.

Kukwa is also aware teams know his background. He was originally an FBS recruit out of Perry, as he attended Ball State for one season before transferring to Lake Erie so his young sons could be closer to home.

“When I left Ball State, that’s what I thought. If you’re good enough, they’ll find you,” Kukwa said.

“To be honest, I don’t know where I stack up with the Alabama kid, but I know I have him on athleticism. I know I can snap the ball well and be great with coaching. But athleticism isn’t something you can coach up.”

Kukwa said he isn’t a big fan of the NFL Draft, but Day 3 on April 29 will obviously be of great interest to him.

“I’ll just be waiting for a call.”

Kukwa