Robbie Dehaze, NAU’s talented kicker, drilled at ASU on March 20 in front of NFL coaches and scouts in preparation for the NFL draft. - Genie MacArthur /The Lumberjack

NAU seniors Robbie Dehaze and K.J. Gerard have a chance to continue their football careers as they prepare for the upcoming NFL draft on April 25-26 in New York City.

The two seniors participated at ASU’s Pro Day on Friday, March 20. The event was an ample opportunity for Gerard and Dehaze to showcase their abilities to several NFL scouts.

Dehaze had a strong senior year for the Lumberjacks, as he was named a first-team All-American by the AFCA at kicker and Walter Camp Foundation at punter. He finished his career with a school-record 56 career field goals, tied for 16th in NCAA history  and the sixth best in Big Sky history. Dehaze was among the national leaders in punting, averaging 45.1 yards per punt.

“It was a good time,” Dehaze said when asked about the Pro Day. 

Specialists do not participate in the drills associated with the NFL combine (the NFL’s top workout for the nation’s best recriuits), so Dehaze could concentrate fully on his leg.

“It was a long process; we got there at 7:30 a.m. and left at 2 o’clock,” Dehaze said. “I felt like I hit the ball well.” 

Dehaze is looking to compete for a roster spot if he makes an NFL training camp. He will be looked at as someone who can kick off, punt and kick field goals.

“Robbie did well; out of the 25-30 field goals he kicked, he only missed two,” said receivers coach and pro liaison Francis Saint Paul. “They were both over 60 yards.”

Gerard also had a successful Pro Day. Gerard’s outstanding career at NAU served as an impressive resume for NFL scouts and coaches. During his tenure at NAU, Gerard received two All-American selections. Gerard holds NAU’s record for career interceptions with 19; the ball hawk is tied for first in interceptions among active career totals in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and Division I overall.

This year, Gerard was a Buck Buchanan Award Finalist for the best defensive player in the FCS.

Gerard has been training at St. Vincent Sports Performance in Indiana. During his training and throughout the season, Gerard added 20 pounds to his frame and has slowly improved his 40-yard dash time.

“I know scouts were pleased with K.J.’s 40 time,” Saint Paul said. “When he was a junior, (Gerard suffered) a foot injury, so scouts couldn’t time him, but the scouts were anxious to see what he could do.” 

Gerard ran an above-average time of 4.53.

Gerard has received interest from the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles. He had a private workout with the Miami Dolphins earlier this week.

“K.J. has playmaking ability and is a real smart defender,” Saint Paul said. “He reacts to the ball and catches the ball well.” 

Gerard has the chance to be a late-round draft pick or to be signed as an undrafted free agent. Of the NFL eligible kickers, Dehaze is ranked as the 10th best available kicker, according to ESPN.com. To make a team, Dehaze will most likely have to be signed as an undrafted free agent.

Since the start of the NFL Draft in 1936, the Lumberjacks have had 37 players drafted by NFL teams. Vince Cisterna was the first player drafted out of NAU as a ninth-round selection to the New York Giants in 1950.

NAU’s highest NFL draftee was wide receiver Shawn Collins, who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft. NAU has had a total of 21 offensive players, 13 defensive and three specialists drafted.

 “I came here just as a student and made it as a walk-on,” Dehaze said. “I’m glad Coach Souers gave me the chance. I never thought I’d have a chance at making it to the NFL.”