The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Tomcufcik soaks in teachings of NFL QBs
Kenston QB breaks down film, throws with Trubisky, Jones
Jon Tomcufcik was doing everything he could to pay attention and learn, but his mind wandered just a moment to mentally pinch himself to make sure he was awake.
There he was — the senior quarterback at Kenston — sitting in the coaching office at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium in Mentor, watching and listening as NFL quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky (Bears) and Daniel Jones (Giants) broke down film and helped instruct the signalcaller for the defending state champion Bombers.
Countless high school football players across Ohio (not to mention across America) did endless hours of training and offseason work over the summer.
The number of players who got to spend a day breaking down film and having a throwing session with two NFL quarterbacks is relatively small.
Tomcufcik might be the lone member of that fraternity.
But that’s what he got to experience a few weeks ago when Trubisky and Jones — former rivals in college — came to Mentor and spent the day with Tomcufcik.
Trubisky (North Carolina) is the starting quarterback for the Bears, while Jones (Duke) was the first-round draft pick of the Giants this year.
“It was awesome. What an opportunity to throw with those guys,” Tomcufcik said between Kenston practices Aug. 2 at Bomber Stadium. “Coach (Jeff Grubich) asked me if I would want to go throw with two NFL guys. I said ‘Absolutely.’ Who doesn’t want to do that.”
The ties between Trubisky and the area are well-known, having graduated from Mentor and set a plethora of program records with the Cardinals while earning Ohio’s Mr. Football award in his senior season.
There are more local ties, though, which helped make the July meeting happen.
Grubich was the offensive coordinator at Mentor when Trubisky was playing for the Cardinals, and the two remain close to this day.
Additionally Tomcufcik’s girlfriend, Julia, is the sister of Trubisky’s girlfriend, Hillary.
“The meeting was all Mitch’s idea,” Grubich said. “I think their relationship with the sisters helps as does my relationship with Mitch. But he’s an NFL quarterback. He didn’t have to take time out of his day to talk with and work with Johnny. He coached him up.”
At first, the trio of signal-callers watched and broke down some of Jones’ game film from his final season last fall at Duke. Then they went over some of Trubisky’s film from his sophomore season with the Bears.
Tomcufcik was in awe, and listened attentively when the pair of quarterbacks commented or pointed things out to him.
“The words they use are a little different than what we use in high school,” Tomcufcik said. “A couple things I could pick up on. A couple things I had tough times with. But it was cool to see how guys at that level break down film.
“At one point, I was sitting there while he was talking and I was thinking, ‘Wow. I watch this guy on TV every weekend.’ It was cool.”
After an hour or so of film-watching, the trio headed out to the field where they threw passes to a group of receivers. Tomcufcik said Trubisky gave him pointers on his footwork, his shoulder positioning and also his mental game.
“They said to just relax in the pocket,” Tomcufcik said of the tutelage. “When there is pressure, relax and deliver a good ball.
“Seeing them throw, wow, those NFL guys can really sling it. It was amazing to watch.”
Tomcufcik is coming off a junior season in which he threw for 3,032 yards and 27 touchdowns, while also running for 508 yards and 14 scores.
Tomcufcik helped lead Kenston to a 14-1 record, ending with a 42-6 shellacking of Kettering Alter in the Division III state championship game. He threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns in that game.
Kenston has to replace eight starters on defense this year, but eight starters return on offense.
The Bombers open the season Aug. 30 at Sullivan Black River in a quest for their second straight state title.
“We’re going to have a target on our back this year,” Tomcufcik said. “Everybody is going to want to beat us. Last year we were targeting people. Now we’re going to be the targeted. We’ll have to bring our A game every day to reach our goals.”