Tyler "Tank" Whaley (official thread)

[jwinslow]

OSU

Pro Day Quotes

Tyler Whaley
On Pro Day
"It was a great experience. I was happy I was able to showcase my abilities. I feel like I helped myself by setting personal records. I did my best today."
On leaving Ohio State
"It was a dream come true to accomplish what I did at Ohio State and it's a dream come true to have a chance to play in the National Football League."

[UpNorthBuckeye]

When will we hear if a team is interested in him? He'd be a great Corey Schlesinger/Mike Alstott kinda guy for the Lions. they could use him in their re-dedication to the running game this next year (fired Mike Martz, trading away Roy Williams, etc.).

Go Tank!

[Buckskin86]

Whaley is the subject of a book
Mar 13, 2008
By BILLY BRUCE
The Lawrence Herald
COLUMBUS -- Tyler Whaley's life is about to take book form.

Ken Gordon, an 18-year veteran sportswriter who has covered the Ohio State Buckeyes football team the past five years, knows a good story when he sees one. And this story is going to demand a lot more space than a newspaper article allows.

Working with Cardinal Publishing Group of Indianapolis, Gordon is about to fulfill a lifelong dream by authoring his first book.

"They deserve some credit for taking a chance on a first-time author," he said of the publishing company. "They believe in the power of the story."

Ironically, Gordon picked another dreamer as his subject.

"It first occurred to me when I went to Ironton in December for a story I wrote about Tyler for (The Columbus Dispatch)," Gordon said of possibly penning a biography of Whaley, who was a senior fullback for the Buckeyes at the time. "I thought to myself, 'Man, this guy could be a book.'"

Whaley is the subject of a book - Huntington, WV -- The Herald-Dispatch

Whaley does well at Pro Day
Mar 13, 2008
By BILLY BRUCE
The Lawrence Herald

COLUMBUS -- Here we go again.

Five years ago, Ironton's Tyler Whaley dismissed the naysayers and followed his heart to Ohio State. There he tediously worked his way into a major contributing roll as a senior fullback for the Buckeyes last season.

Last Friday, OSU's 2007 Most Inspirational Player started writing a new chapter in his well-documented career as an overachiever. But, this time, Whaley is surrounded by very few non-believers.

He's hoping this story has the same ending as the last one.

Following a tryout before NFL scouts and coaches at the OSU Pro Day in Columbus, Whaley walked off the field satisfied with his performance.

"I did the best I could have done," he said, noting that once he got his nerves under control he executed with a clearer focus. "I treated it like a game."

His day began on the bench press, where the 250-pounder hoisted 225 pounds a whopping 34 times, just three fewer times than Michigan All-American tackle Jake Long and Ohio State All-American defensive end Vernon Gholston's 37 reps at the national combine earlier in February. Gholston and Long are projected to be first-round selections in the NFL draft.

"I probably could have done more," Whaley said. "But, I was so amped up and a little nervous. Once I got that first one out of the way, I just kept rolling and wasn't so nervous anymore."

He had pushed 225 pounds 37 times in the weeks prior to the Pro Day, but said he was concentrating so hard on following posture rules, with everyone staring at him, that he ran out of gas toward the end.

"I almost got to 35, but didn't quite make it," he said.

Whaley said he also had a 31-and-a-half inch vertical leap and ran the 40-yard-dash in the 4.7 to 4.8 range, excellent numbers for a man of his size.

"I did well on the agility drills and caught all of the balls in the positional drills," he said. "It felt good. I walked off the field with no regrets."

Whaley does well at Pro Day - Huntington, WV -- The Herald-Dispatch

[brodybuck21]

id love to see tank get a shot as a fb/special teams demon. i like the cory schlesinger comparison.

[Buckskin86]

Whaley awaits next career opportunity
By Jim Walker/Tribune Sports Editor
Saturday, March 15, 2008

COLUMBUS ? Tyler Whaley will walk across the Schottenstein Center stage about 2 p.m. this afternoon and leave with a degree in health science. He?ll then begin looking for the door of opportunity.

In his case, Whaley can choose from door No. 1, door No. 2, or door No. 3.

The now former Ohio State Buckeyes center turned fullback may have several options waiting, although a couple of them remain uncertain.

Welcome to real life.

Whaley can join the private sector and use his degree right away, but that may hinge on how the NFL scouts viewed his Pro Day at Ohio Stadium on March 7.

?I feel I did as well as I could and now it?s a waiting game,? said Whaley. ?A lot of people said I was a surprise as an unknown. If it happens, it happens. If not, I?ve been going on job interviews. I might even look into arena (football).

?Hopefully I?ll hear something in a week or two.?

During the Pro Day, Whaley had a vertical leap of 31 and one-half inches. He said ?that?s good for me. I?m not much of a vertical jumper.?

His 40-yard dash speed was 4.72 seconds and his standing broad jump was 8-feet, 6-inches.

?I ran the fastest 40-yard time of my life. (Ohio State defensive back) Donald Washington was sitting near the finish line and he said the scouts clocked me in the low 4.7 time,? said Whaley.

The Ironton Tribune > Sports > Whaley awaits next career opportunity

[Buckskin86]

Browns, Bengals begin signing undrafted rookies

April 27, 2008 7:46 PM


Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

Now that the NFL draft is over, teams already are scrambling quickly to sign rookie free agents.

Tonight the Cincinnati Bengals have signed former Ohio State fullback Tyler Whaley to a free-agent contract, Hashmarks has learned.

ESPN - Browns, Bengals begin signing undrafted rookies - Hashmarks By Matt Mosley

[WoodyWorshiper]

Tank seems like a great kid. Hopefully football is in his future because that seems like the route he'd like to start on. If not, he can take that Degree and run.

Best of luck, Big Kid, on whatever's behind the doors that open up for you in life.

Peace.