Barrick's Bowl Blog
 Barrick Nealy | Diary Entries
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Former Texas State QB Barrick Nealy and teammate Fred Evans (DL) have been selected to play in the 60th Annual Hula Bowl, highlighting the nation’s top college football seniors. Be sure to follow the action daily as Barrick will be giving insight into his entire Hula Bowl experience right here on www.txstatebobcats.com. Barrick’s daily update will begin on Sunday! If you miss a day, the entire diary will be archived right here on the site.
The Hula Bowl will air at 6 p.m. CST on Saturday, January 21st, live on ESPN.
BARRICK'S BOWL BLOG
Saturday, January 14th
Greetings from Denver, Bobcat Fans -
I can't believe it has already been over a month since our season ended with the loss to Northern Iowa. It has been a whirlwind month for me, to say the least.
Before I get into that, let me tell all of you how much the 2005 season meant to me. I have played competitive football since I was in Pop Warner, but never before have I been part of such a true "team". Our motto was WE LIVE FOR EACH OTHER, and we did just that - every day from the time the 2004 season ended until the night last month that the Northern Iowa game ended.
Playing for Coach Bailiff and Coach Tom Herman this year has really helped me get ready for this opportunity. It has helped make me a better quarterback learning from someone who understands my position.
What I want to get across to you as a fan is that the season wasn't just about winning a conference championship and going to the playoffs, it was about what Coach Bailiff has told us every day since he got here in 2004 - to enjoy the special moments as a team, to work hard and work passionately towards our goals, to always make good decisions, and to do it with Bobcat Pride. That is why 2005 was special, because our TEAM did all those things.
A NEW KIND OF OFF-SEASON
Just like the playoff appearance was a new experience for me, so was what has happened since December 9th. It has been a whirlwind that has happened so fast, but it has been great. I have begun a rigorous conditioning program to prepare me for the various workouts and NFL Combine coming up in March.
The week after the season ended I began the process of selecting an agent (in between workouts!). I was fortunate to sign on with the group from IFM (Integrity First Management). The group consists of Rob Nelson, Ken Link and NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, a former offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals.
From the moment I met those guys, I knew it would be a good fit. Just as their name suggests, they are very Christian oriented and possess a high level of integrity, much like Coach Bailiff.
On January 4th, it was arranged that I would begin my pre-combine workouts in Denver with Lauren Randolph, a nationally respected trainer who specializes in getting players ready for the rigors of the NFL.
I was on a plane to Denver the next day! I thought things were moving pretty fast, and then when I landed, we went straight from the airport and right to my first workout...WHEW!
As far as the day-to-day, it has been just like two-a-days - except not as hot.
I am up at 8 a.m. for breakfast every day, then right on to the field for a two-hour workout that consists of combine preparation drills.
After a brief rest, we eat lunch and hit the weight room at 2 p.m. for a solid two hour workout. Then, we head immediately to the Denver Broncos complex for throwing drills with different receivers.
While this is all very exciting and a huge whirlwind for me, I know I have to stay focused and work hard. That is what this training is all about as I get ready for an opportunity to play in the NFL.
THIS WEEK
It should really be a great week. Most of Sunday will be a travel day for me, as I leave at about 8:30 a.m., but Hawaii is obviously a pretty long flight. Once I get checked in and get my final schedule for the week, I will update my diary on Sunday evening. Be sure to keep up with it this week and watch the game on Saturday at 6 p.m. central on ESPN.
I am really excited to meet Coach Tyrone Willingham, who has coached Stanford, Notre Dame and Washington. He is coaching the West squad. I also will have a terrific time meeting my teammates from all over the country and getting to experience everything with Fred Evans, one of our true leaders on defense this past season.
By the way, tonight (Saturday), I am heading to the Broncos-Patriots game here in Denver. That should a great game and nice way to spend time before heading to Hawaii.
Go 'Cats!
Barrick Nealy
Bobcat Football 2003-2005
