Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Ravanesi to showcase skills at NFL Scouting Combine
02/23/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
Feb. 23, 2010
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois' all-time leading punter Scott Ravanesi is heading to the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which is held from Feb. 24-March 2.
He will showcase his skills through a series of drills, tests and interviews with more than 600 NFL personnel including head coaches, general managers and scouts. The last Saluki invited to the combine was running back Brandon Jacobs in 2005.
Ravanesi is one of just five punters that have been invited to the combine this year, and is the only one from the Football Championship Subdivision. Ravanesi said that he wants to go out there and show the scouts that he has as much potential as anyone.
"Coming from a smaller school, the other punters obviously will have more publicity out on them and the teams will know more about them than me," Ravanesi said. "I want to go out there and represent our school well and show that I have the same ability as the big-school kids."
The other punters participating at the combine are from East Carolina, Fresno State, Michigan and Virginia Tech. However, it is Ravanesi's resume, strong leg and athletic ability that has the attention of NFL scouts and general managers.
The Carol Stream, Ill. native had a career punting average of 42.6 yards, which is the best in school history and is the second-best in the Missouri Valley Football Conference record books. He had 33 career punts downed inside the 20-yard line and set a new school record with his punt of 83 yards in the 2007 quarterfinal playoff victory over Massachusetts. His 2007 punting average of 45.8 yards is the second highest in MVFC history.
Ravanesi was a three-sport star at Glenbard North High School and turned down several baseball scholarships to come punt for the Salukis. The move panned out and he was a three-time All-MVFC first team selection, an honorable mention all-American in 2007 and was one of seven Salukis that were selected to the MVFC Silver Anniversary Team.
Since SIU lost in the quarterfinals of the playoffs on Dec. 5, Ravanesi has been preparing himself for a shot to play in the NFL.
"Ever since the end of the year, I've been kicking 3-4 times per week," he said. "I haven't changed a lot in my routine because I've had so much success and I want to continue to go with what works."
Ravanesi, who has hired a personal trainer and has added 7-8 pounds to his 6-0 frame, said that some teams have shown interest in him. He has spoken with several organizations, but is waiting for the opportunity this weekend to speak with more.
"Really at the combine I'll talk to all 32 teams and I've been preparing myself for those interviews," Ravanesi said. "Once I prove what I can do there, than they'll know a little more about me.
"It really comes down to April and the draft. Hopefully I'll get drafted, but realistically that might not happen for a punter. From talking with my agent and with teams, we know there are teams out there that will need to pick up a punter."
The 2010 NFL Draft runs April 22-24. Results and news surrounding the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine can be found by visiting this link.
