Former Bison tight end Josh Babicz feels 'well prepared' for NDSU's annual pro day

Watson was unofficially clocked at 4.28 seconds before his top time later became official at 4.36 seconds. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Watson had the sixth-fastest time among wide receivers.

“It wasn’t a surprise,” said Babicz, from Barrington, Ill. “I knew he was 4.3 fast. I was really excited when he got that 4.2 (unofficially), but I expected him to run fast.”

The 6-foot-6, 252-pound Babicz is preparing to post his own testing numbers next week at NDSU’s annual football pro day, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 24. The event is closed to the public. Babicz has been training in the Phoenix area since he played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl all-star game, which was played in late January at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

“It’s mostly training, just putting my nose to the grindstone trying to get better as much as I can,” said Babicz, who played four seasons for the Bison.

Babicz, Watson, defensive end Brayden Thomas and offensive lineman Cordell Volson are also expected to attend NDSU’s pro day. Volson also attended the NFL Scouting Combine. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Thomas played in the East-West Shrine Bowl, which was played in early February in Las Vegas.

Babicz said he was proud of the way Watson and the 6-foot-6, 315-pound Volson performed at the Combine.

“Being able to watch people I know and who I’ve played with for years, and be able to compete at that high level of an interview, like the Combine,” Babicz said, “I’m proud of those guys and I appreciate all the hard work they do.”

Babicz said the 40, bench press and vertical jump are three testing areas that he would like to show his explosiveness at pro day.

“I feel confident at each and every of the (on-field testing). I feel like I’m well prepared,” said Babicz, who is being represented by agent Dave Butz and the Sportstars athlete management firm. “The goal in mind is around low-4.7s (in the 40), hopefully high-4.6s, but at least in the 4.7s there. I’m just going to run as fast as I can.”

Babicz said he’s lowered his body fat by 1% over the past couple months during training. After pro day, he plans to remain in Fargo in the lead up to the NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 28-30 in Las Vegas.

Babicz said he’s heard that he projects as a late-round selection or priority free agent.

“I want to see where pro day puts me,” Babicz said. “That will definitely help me out, especially if I perform how I think I will. … I hope pro day will lift that up a little bit.”

The NFL Draft is slated for seven rounds, with the first round scheduled for April 28. The second and third rounds are April 29 and Rounds 4-7 are on April 30.

“It seems like it’s been a long time, but now it’s like, ‘Oh wow, pro day is next week,’” Babicz said. “I’ve got my body healthy, I feel like I’ve gotten stronger through this whole process and working on each of my techniques and expanding whatever stuff I can. I feel confident going into pro day.”

Babicz played in 55 games during his Bison career and was on three NCAA Division I FCS national championship teams. He caught 40 passes for 633 yards and 11 touchdowns over those 55 games.

“Our offense is really tailored to be more NFL style,” Babicz said. “We run the pro-style offense. It’s tremendous how much the program has helped me prepare for being ready to get drafted by the NFL. I feel confident going to whatever team that I can use the skills I’ve learned.”