OSU receiver goes south for NFL polish

• Mike Hass has big two months ahead prepping for combine, ‘pro days’

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Jan 3, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Mike Hass is going to Disney World, preparing for what he hopes is his next journey in life.

Well, not really Disney World. The former Jesuit High and Oregon State standout leaves today for Orlando, Fla., where he will live for the next two months. He’ll be training for the NFL combine Feb. 22 to Feb. 28 in Indianapolis and the “pro days” in Corvallis that are instrumental toward selection in the April 29 to April 30 NFL draft.

Mickey Mouse can wait.

“I’m going down there for one reason,” Hass says. “To get in the best shape of my life and hopefully improve my speed. Unfortunately, that’s what it’s going to come down to for me.”

It’s been a whirlwind last month or so for the OSU senior. He wrapped up a stellar college career by becoming the first Pac-10 receiver to put together three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, was named first-team All-American and earned the Biletnikoff Trophy as the nation’s top receiver.

All the credentials in the world help, but they don’t ensure premier status in the draft. There have been questions about Hass’ speed, and the Wilsonville native will spend the next two months working on it with Tom Shaw, the strength and conditioning coach of the New England Patriots, at the Wide World of Sports complex.

The 6-1, 205-pound Hass will do two-a-days Mondays through Fridays and a single workout on Saturdays, and rest on Sundays. Each session will last about two hours.

Shaw was the first trainer to prepare prospects specifically for the combine and pro days, which are designed and conducted by NFL personnel to test potential pros in a series of speed and strength tests. For the next eight weeks, Shaw will hone athletic skills and pass along his knowledge to a couple of dozen players, all with the same goals as Hass.

Hass says he has never run 40 yards for time.

“Not honestly,” he says. “I’ve never gotten into a stance and prepared to do it.”

Can Hass improve his speed?

“I think so,” Hass says, “with technique and being in shape and working out every day. I’ve never learned how to run the 40 or run the cone drills I’ll do at the combine. It can only help.

“A lot of what happens in the draft is about your numbers Ñ your speed, your jumping ability and all that. It means so much. If you don’t do so well, you can drop so far.”

Time will tell future

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