Philip Blake eyes pro football career

February 13, 2012

Former Champlain Cougar Philip Blake of the Baylor University Bears.

When Philip Blake arrived on the Champlain College campus in the summer of 2005 he had dreams of someday playing professional football. While the young man certainly showed promise as an offensive lineman, no one could predict that Blake would develop into one of the top lineman in NCAA football and a bona fide National Football League prospect.
The six-foot-three, 320-pound centre with the Baylor Bears is one of three Canadian players invited to the 2012 NFL scouting combine that will be held next week in Indianapolis. The other two Canadians are the University of Regina defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and Boise State defensive end Tyrone Crawford.
Last month, Blake took part in the Senior Bowl, the US college all-star game featuring many of the top blue-chip prospects for the NFL draft. Blake did more than hold his own, improving his draft stock with solid performances during the week of practice that was watched by representatives from all 32 NFL teams.
Blake heads to the combine projected to be selected between the third and fourth rounds of the NFL draft that will be held in New York in April.

Please see Tuesday's sports page for the complete story.