McPeek’s NFL dreams still alive

By ANTHONY HANSHEW - The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- Nate McPeek was denied his snapshot moment, but his National Football League aspirations appear back on track.

Draft weekend, and the following two days, seemed like a month for Marshall’s senior offensive lineman. Instead of receiving the call to the pros every elite athlete dreams of, McPeek heard nothing for four days.

McPeek starred with the Thundering Herd for four years, starting 51 consecutive games and earning all-Mid-American Conference honors. A back injury interrupted his senior season, however, and nearly finished his professional football career before it began.

Once considered a mid-round draft pick, McPeek wasn’t terribly surprised when he was shut out of last weekend’s NFL draft. When no free agent offers followed, McPeek was shocked.

Flanked by friends and family in his Russell, Ky., home, he waited for hours Sunday night for a call that never came.

"He made the comment that what was supposed to be the happiest moment of his life turned out to be the worst," said McPeek’s mother, Nancy McPeek. "Everybody was sitting around on pins and needles. Even his agent couldn’t explain what happened."

"It was real frustrating for him, to be honest," added Nate’s father, Talmadge McPeek. "It almost brought me to tears."

Turns out NFL personnel officials didn’t hear the rest of the story concerning McPeek’s medical history. With his back surgery more than a year behind him and three months removed from toe surgery, McPeek had received full medical clearance.

Coaches and scouts apparently were under the belief that McPeek remained sidelined with a bad back. Once aware of the misunderstanding, team McPeek went to work to repair his on-field reputation.

Agent James Cook, Marshall coach Bobby Pruett, Thundering Herd offensive line coach Mark McHale and uncle Garry McPeek worked the phones the hardest. Their diligence paid off Wednesday when the Green Bay Packers invited McPeek for a tryout, pending an extensive physical.

The 6-foot-4, 317-pound McPeek cleared a huge hurdle Saturday, passing the Packers’ thorough examination. Now he’s working out at left tackle, competing with 21 other offensive linemen for a roster spot.

McPeek recognizes the long odds in Green Bay, but the tryout already is deemed a success. If nothing else, he and Cook now have tangible proof of McPeek’s health from NFL physicians.

"Hopefully I’ll stick with Green Bay," McPeek said. "If not hopefully it will open doors to something else. The biggest thing is passing the physical. That’s the first major hurdle. Playing football is the easy part."

McPeek’s ability to create running lanes and keep pass-rushers at bay never was an issue. Ability-wise McPeek appeared on track to follow in the NFL draft footsteps of former Marshall standouts John Wade and Steve Sciullo.

Despite his injuries, McPeek played throughout the season and had returned to his dominant form by season’s end. In one of his better outings last fall, McPeek battled first-round draft pick Jason Babin, Western Michigan’s sack-happy defensive end.

"That was a turnaround game for me," McPeek said. "I can take that game film to Green Bay and other teams and show them that yeah, (Babin’s) a great player and yeah, he’s the 27th pick. See how I played. He made one play against me in 50 or 60 snaps."

Admittedly angered by his initial snub, McPeek said his isn’t allowing a bitter attitude to follow him to Packers camp. More than a large signing bonus or that coveted draft day phone call, McPeek simply wanted a chance.

"When he called last night he was very upbeat," Nancy McPeek said. "You know Nate. He doesn’t give himself much credit and with 21 linemen he says he doesn’t have much of a shot. But when I talked to him, he said this was all I was asking for, a shot."

Perhaps the best advice offered throughout the longest week of McPeek’s football life came just prior to the call from the Packers.

"His uncle (Garry) told him, ‘If someone gives you a helmet, don’t give it back," Talmadge McPeek said.

I am really hoping that people realize how good of a player that Nate really is. Not only does he have the skills, but the heart to go along with it.

He had the talent when he came here as a freshman. Once the Coaches worked with him he continued to get better. He was a true warrior on the OL. I hope he makes it in the NFL.