HOUSTON – For Illinois offensive guard Josh Gesky, his audition for the NFL was serious business.
So, his approach and intensity matched the importance of the moment.
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Gesky ran the 40-yard dash in 4.94 seconds, an impressive time at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds. That would have been tied for the sixth-fastest at the NFL scouting combine among interior offensive lineman. And his 30 bench press reps would have ranked fourth at the combine.
He has a top 30 visit with the Denver Broncos and has drawn strong interest from the Texans and the Baltimore Ravens. Texans area scout and former Wisconsin offensive lineman George Panos talked extensively with Gesky at his Pro Day workout on the Illinois campus.
He met with the New Orleans Saints, Broncos and Detroit Lions.
‘It was a great opportunity to showcase my speed and athleticism," Gesky told kPRC 2 in a telephone interview. “That was a question mark for me, but I took a great step forward, hopefully ending all those questions and I want to say thank you to everyone that helped me on my journey.”
At the Pro Day, Illinois coach Brett Bielema, a former New England Patriots assistant, said that Gesky was the most NFL-ready of any player he’s coached in the past few years.
“It’s awesome to hear him speak so highly of me,” said Gesky, who is represented by veteran agent Deryk Gilmore of Day 1 Sports Entertainment whose clients include future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans. “I like to reflect what the leadership is showing. Do the job, be tough, smart, dependable. I love the trenches. I love running the ball. Being a physical lineman is why we’re such a great fit. My preparation allowed me to develop a routine to prepare for the NFL.”
Gesky lost 25 pounds after his senior year of football.
He met with the Texans directly after the workout and reviewed his film.
“Great conversation with them,” Gesky said. “They wanted to meet and connect. I was fortunate we got to talk in-person.”
Gesky played in the East-West Shrine Bowl all-star game.
“I got great feedback,” Gesky said. “I talked with all of the teams. I can get up or down in weight. I can play guard, center. I’ve started at tackle, right guard and right tackle. Wherever the team needs me.”
Gesky expressed his appreciation for retired NFL offensive lineman Tony Pashos, a former Baltimore Ravens fifth-round draft pick from Illinois who has trained him for the past four years.
“He helped me develop along my journey,” Gesky said. “He helped me from the technique, the IQ of football, helped me in aspect of football: the speed, the strength, the conditioning. He was great at developing me along with Illinois. I feel like they were a great connection. Him and Illinois together, they kind of went hand in hand. They worked great together.”
A two-time All-Big Ten selection who played in the NFL for a decade, Pashos is encouraged by what he’s seeing from Gesky.
“He crushed it,” Pashos said in a telephone interview. “Holy cow, he looked like a totally different human being in the best shape of his life, putting his best foot forward and maintained all his strength. He’s so damn tough.
“Of all the people coached trained or helped, I grew as a coach with a guy like Josh. He’s a fighter. He’s a tough SOB: smart, tough, physical fast, He works in silence, when nobody is watching. He does it the right way. I am so proud of Josh, an incredible representative of Illinois.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com