Get to Know Combine Athlete Jarrett Dillard

In his own words with WR Jarrett Dillard from Rice University. Jarrett is working out in the D1 Combine Class. "My favorite NFL team growing up was the Cowboys. Growing up I can always remember them in the Super Bowls. I think I am the best player in the draft this year. I know my strengths, weaknesses and where I can succeed. My least favorite college football team has to be Texas. We played them every year and they beat us every year. A player that I would least like to go against in the NFL has to be Ray Lewis. He is one of the hardest hitters and just a passionate player. A team should draft me because I bring calmness to the game as well as excitement. I’m more than just stats. My favorite thing about Nashville is that all the restaurants are close to each other. You don’t have to go very far for much."

Get to Know Combine Athlete Brannan Southerland

In his own words with FB Brannan Southerland from the University of Georgia. Brannan is working out in the D1 Combine Class. "My favorite NFL team growing up was the Dallas Cowboys. I remember when they were stacked with Troy Aikman, Michael Irving, and Emmit Smith. The best player in the draft this year is Knowshon Moreno, he can't be stopped. My least favorite college team has to be Florida. A player that I would least like to go against in the NFL has to be Brian Urlacher. He's the best linebacker in the league. A team should draft me because I am disciplined, smart, and I have the tools to be a good fullback. My favorite thing about Nashville is that it's really laid back."

Get to Know Combine Athlete T.J. Lang

In his own words with OT T.J. Lang from the Eastern Michigan University. T.J. is working out in the D1 Combine Class. "My favorite NFL team growing up was the Detroit Lions. I don’t know who the best player in the draft is this year. There are so many elite players it is very hard to pick one. My least favorite college football team has to be Ball State. A player that I would least like to go against in the NFL has to be Dwight Freeney. He’s a competitor and has great speed. A team should draft me because I am very versatile, athletic, smart, flexible, and show good leadership. My favorite thing about Nashville has to be the atmosphere at D1 and everyone’s really nice."

Jermain Taylor vs. Anthony Lucas Trash Talk

Watch Jermain Taylor and Anthony Lucas jaw back and forth before their big event.

Get to Know Combine Athlete Kaluka Maiava

In his own words with LB, Kaluka Maiava from the University of Southern California. Kaluka is working out in the D1 Combine Class. "My favorite NFL team growing up was the Chicago Bears, they were just nasty! I think the best player in the draft is this year is Brian Cushing. He’s a freak, he’s 6’4, 260 lbs, runs a 4’4 forty and just a physical specimen. My least favorite college football team has to be Oregon State, they were the Trojan killers. A player that I would least like to go against in the NFL has to be Brandon Jacobs; he’s real big, strong and fast. A team should draft me because I’m a winner. My favorite thing about Nashville is D1."

Sync Magazine Covers JT/Lucas Bout

Click here to see Sync Magazine's photos and click here to see their AWESOME video from the night.

Get to Know Combine Athlete Jeremiah Johnson

In his own words with RB, Jeremiah Johnson from the University of Oregon. Jeremiah is working out in the D1 Combine Class."My favorite NFL team growing up was the Green Bay Packers. My whole family loved them because of Brett Favre. If you ask me, I believe I am the best player in the draft. I fit a lot of schemes and can catch out the back field. I bring a lot to the table. My least favorite college football team has to be Oregon State, our rivals. In the NFL, I want the challenge of facing anybody. I want the competition. A team should draft me because I fit a lot of schemes, I can block and open up the run game. I’m smart, I can recognize a defense, and can catch out the backfield. My favorite thing about Nashville has to be D1 and the people; you don’t have to be family or friends to say hi to someone."

Jeremiah Johnson Impresses at Senior Bowl

Here is what they said about Johnson's performance in the Senior Bowl, "He may be a small back, but the Oregon RB ran like a monster this week. He did a great job eluding tacklers as well as catching the football. He ran for 22 yards on three carries and caught two passes for 29 yards." He also caught a four-yard scoring pass from Nathan Brown with 49 seconds remaining in the half. Later, he ran a sweep for a two-point conversion. Great job, Jeremiah!

Get to Know Combine Athlete Darius Hill

In his own words with TE, Darius Hill from Ball State University. Darius is working out in the D1 Combine Class.

"My favorite NFL team growing up was the Dallas Cowboys. I think the best player in the draft this year is Michael Crabtree, he’s a playmaker, and explosive. My least favorite college football team is Buffalo. A player that I would least like going against in the NFL would be Ray Lewis. A team should draft me because of my versatility. I can line up as a slot receiver or down as a tight end. My favorite thing about Nashville is training at D1, and hanging with the other players, and the whole atmosphere of Nashville."

Clay Travis Showing a Little D1 Love

Check out Clay Travis giving D1 a shout out in this bizarre interview.

Briscoe Blogging about D1 Knoxville

Former Vols reciever Josh Briscoe is blogging on www.govolsxtra.com about training for his Pro Day. Click here to check it out.

D1 Combine Athletes Look Strong at All-Star Games

Several of the athletes in D1's 2009 Combine Class were selected to participate in all-star games such as the East-West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl, and Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Challenge. http://www.insidetheleague.com/ has reported the following on these gifted athletes:

EW Shrine Game

Jarrett Dillard: had 58 total receiving yards in the EW Shrine game. "[Jarrett] has good body control and can get his hips around on passes that get on him quickly. He can maneuver over the middle in traffic and haul it in.

Brandon Underwood: "A solid coverage safety; he moves well in space and can turn his hips and get after the receiver. He was probably the best safety in individual drills designed to show his mobility."

Kaluka Maiava: "Continued the momentum he created during the 2008 season with a solid first day. He’s a hitter and can move, and... he can punch the ball in chase. He has good, quick hands.

Senior Bowl

Troy Kropog: "Kropog got out of his stance and fought with the best of them, winning at least as many as he lost, and played with fire in his belly."

Will Davis: "Will has been on a mission all week and Wednesday was no different. He has zipped through the bags and cut quickly around obstacles in drills, and everything he’s done, he’s done with fire and passion. He has definitely made an impression this week. He has been a high-energy, high-impact player in drills. He comes off the edge well and is a hard guy to get hands on when he’s coming on the pass rush."

Jeremiah Johnson: "Tough, strong and mean when rushers are trying to penetrate the backfield; he gets his hands out, moves laterally, and keeps a good base without giving ground. As a rusher, he’s very quick to the hole."

Xavier Fulton: "Had some initial trouble handling Michigan DE Tim Jamison on his first rep in individual drills, but figured him out aptly on the second, parrying his spin move and using his arms to keep him from separation. Good smarts."

More news to come as the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Challenge Approaches. Keep up the hard work guys!

Knoxville Character Athlete of the Month

Congrats to D1 Knoxville's December Character Athlete Winner Crickett Blanco! The Word of the Month for December was SELFLESS. Crickett is a freshman at Maryville High School and an outstanding softball player. Crickett began training at D1 Knoxville in 2006-2007 and has since become a consistent face in the both the weight room and on the turf. Crickett can easily be seen with her big and bright smile. But do not let the smile fool you, when it’s time to train she is always ready and up for the challenge. Congrats Crickett.

Get to Know Combine Athlete Ryan Stanchek

In his own words with OT, Ryan Stanchek from West Virginia University. Ryan is working out in the D1 Combine Class.

"My favorite NFL team growing up was the Cincinnati Bengals, it was my home team. I don’t know who is the best player in the draft is this year. There are so many elite players it is very hard to pick one. My least favorite college football team has to be Pittsburgh. A player that I would least like to go against in the NFL has to be Dwight Freeney. I watch him on tape a lot and he has great speed, he’s very fast. A team should draft me because I have great work ethic, and I just love the game of football. My favorite thing about Nashville has to be D1. Also Nashville is a real clean great town, the people here are really nice."

D1 Therapy Athlete Competing on Survivor

Taj George, who rehabbed a knee at D1 Sports Therapy in Nashville, is one of 16 competing on CBS' Survivor: Tocantins — The Brazilian Highlands. Taj is best known for being a member of the Grammy-nominated R&B/pop group SWV and is married to former Tennessee Titan Eddie George. To read more, click here. Go Taj!

JT/Lucas Video Recap

Go to the 4:00 minute mark of the below newscast and check out the video recap of the Little Rock event.

JT Wins D1 Belt

Click here to check out the photo from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Jermain won the D1 belt.

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D1 Little Rock Develops Real Champs

D1 Little Rock has the privilege of putting several dedicated athletes with the LC Sports Management Agency through its intensive combine training. These guys have been coming in to take their competitive skill to the next level:
Cedric Cobbs, RB - previously played for the University of Arkansas as well as the Patriots and Broncos
Julius Pruitt, WR- Ouichata Baptist University
Jeremy Ashcroft, OL - Arkansas Tech
John Johnson, RB - Ouichata Baptist University
Josh Briscoe, WR - University of Tennessee
Kevin Woods, SS - University of Arkansas
Ken Johnson, QB - Concordia College

D1 wishes all of these guys the best of luck with their training!

One More Clip of Lucas Preparing for JT

Go to the 3:26 mark of the Fox 16 Newscast.

Lucas Prepares To Win The "D1 World Belt"

Lucas Pumps Big Event With Jermain Taylor

Knoxville Has Big Winter Training Session

D1 Knoxville kept the facility full over the winter break training athletes from all over. Here's a list of some of the guys that stopped by to let D1 help them become stronger, faster, more explosive athletes:

Michael Hoag- Wake Forest, Offensive Line
Andre Sterling- Ole Miss, Running Back
Nick Reveiz- Tennessee, Linebacker
Shane Reveiz- Tennessee, Linebacker
TJ Franklin- Cincinnati, Offensive Line
Alex Stuart- MTSU, Offensive Line
Joey Feigler- UAB, Quarterback
Jonathan Blair- Purdue, Walk-on Quarterback
Corey Russell- Tusculum, Quarterback
Dawson Halliday- Yale, Quarterback & Baseball Outfielder
Corey Eischoltz- Tennessee, Defensive Back

Philip Rivers Shows D1 Love

Philip Rivers was spotted wearing a D1 1/4 zip in a feature on CBS prior to the AFC Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although we're still looking for a clip of that feature, here is a shot of Philip sporting D1 in a recent press conference. Thanks for the love, Philip!

Five More Join the Combine Class

As the NFL Combine and College Pro Days get closer, the D1 Combine Class continues to grow. The latest additions include:

Casey Dick, QB - University of Arkansas
Darius Hill, TE - Ball State University
Ryan McDonald, C - University of Illinois
Brannon Southerland, FB - University of Georgia
DeAndre Wright, CB - University of New Mexico

The five above join the group below already training at D1.

Will Davis, DE – University of Illinois
Jarrett Dillard, WR – Rice University
Xavier Fulton, OL – University of Illinois
Jeremiah Johnson, RB – University of Oregon
Troy Kropog, OT – Tulane University
T.J. Lang, OT – Eastern Michigan University
Kaluka Maiava, LB – University of Southern California
Brandon Pearce, OT – University of Memphis
Anthony Scirrotto, FS – Penn State University
Ryan Stanchek, OG - University of West Virginia
Lucas Taylor, WR – University of Tennessee
Brandon Underwood, FS – University of Cincinnati
Ellix Wilson, LB – University of Tennessee

Zobrist at D1 Preparing for Another Big Season

Tampa Rays utility player Ben Zobrist had quite a season last year. One of his 12 homeruns was rated by the Tampa Tribune in the top five biggest hits of the season. Zobrist started Game One of the World Series in right field and pinch hit in the ninth inning of the final game. Now he is at D1 Nashville preparing for the 2009 season. Click here to check out a story about he and his wife in the Tennessean. Keep up the good work, Ben.

Beanie Wells Coming to D1

From ESPN.com: "He will spend next week training for the NFL Combine at D1 Sports Training in Nashville, which is co-owned by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. One of Wells advisors contacted D1 Sports president and CEO Will Bartholomew on Thursday morning about having the running back train there, according to corporate public relations director Matt Toy. Wells will join fellow Big Ten players like Illinois defensive end Will Davis, Illinois tackle Xavier Fulton and Penn State safety Anthony Scirrotto in the program." Click here to read more.

D1 and Nate Bandy Featured in Chatter Magazine

Nate Bandy was the coverboy and D1 got a lot of love in Chattanooga's Chatter Magazine. Click here to check out Nate on the cover and scroll to pages 38-41 to read the entire story. Nicely done, Nate!

Outstanding Athletes in Chattanooga

Not to be outdone by its fellow facilities, D1 Chattanooga has also had the privilege of training several outstanding athletes recently. Sophomore Trevor Jones won the Central Wrestling Invitation at 119 lbs. Matt Polk, who led the city in rushing and scoring, and P.J. Hubbard were named to the Best of Preps Football team. Javon Arnwine, Adian Cook, Bryce Sharp, and Jared Duke of Walker Valley were all named to the all region football team. Job well done guys! Keep up the good work!

Diamond Rio to Host Team Rio Kickoff at D1

Diamond Rio will host their Team Rio kickoff at D1 Nashville for the second straight year on January 10. Team Rio presented by Arby's is a group of dedicated, energetic runners and walkers who train together and participate in the Country Music Marathon or ½ Marathon on April 25, 2009. These runners and walkers, led by lead singer Marty Roe and guitarist Jimmy Olander, are special because they also raise pledges for the children of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Read more on the GAC website.

Huntsville Turning Out the Athletes

If you were to walk into D1 Huntsville over the last month, you'd see it is quite the athlete factory. Louis Gibson and Jordan Tippit from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team, Kelby Deerman from the University of Alabama baseball team, Terrell Colbert from the Tuskegee football team, and Paul Willoughby from the West Florida soccer team were all at D1 getting better. Great job guys! Keep up the good work!

Marcus Monk Making Big Mark

2008 D1 Combine athlete Marcus Monk is proving that his truly that - an athlete. Monk was drafted in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears after a stellar football career with the Arkansas Razorbacks. After struggling in his short NFL career, Monk elected to try basketball at Arkansas while still recovering from an earlier knee surgery. In his first big basketball game vs. No. 4 Oklahoma, Monk responded with 12 points and six rebounds as the young Razorbacks pulled out a major shocker in a 96-88 upset. "Marcus Monk, my goodness," Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey said in his postgame news conference. "That was one of the best performances I've ever seen. I know he didn't have 20 or 25 points, I don't know how many rebounds he had, but he got in there and competed. That jersey means something to him."

2009 Combine Class

D1 Nashville is proud to announce some of the members of this year's Combine Training Class. We are expecting about 10-15 more athletes after they finish their bowl game, sign with an agent or declare for the draft. The class this year includes the following athletes:

Will Davis, DE – University of Illinois
Jarrett Dillard, WR – Rice University
Xavier Fulton, OL – University of Illinois
Jeremiah Johnson, RB – University of Oregon
Troy Kropog, OT – Tulane University
T.J. Lang, OT – Eastern Michigan University
Kaluka Maiava, LB – University of Southern California
Brandon Pearce, OT – University of Memphis
Anthony Scirrotto, FS – Penn State University
Ryan Stanchek, OG - University of West Virginia
Lucas Taylor, WR – University of Tennessee
Brandon Underwood, FS – University of Cincinnati
Ellix Wilson, LB – University of Tennessee

D1 Athletes Make NFL Playoffs

Congratulations to the following D1 athletes on making it to the NFL Playoffs:

Phillip Rivers- San Diego Chargers(D1 Huntsville co-owner)
Marcus McNeil- San Diego Chargers( '06 Combine Class)
Le'Ron McClain- Baltimore Ravens( '07 Combine Class)

Everybody here at D1 is looking forward to watching the upcoming games and we wish you guys the best of luck!

Manning Takes Third MVP Award

D1 co-owner Peyton Manning was named the NFL's MVP award on Friday in a landslide victory. "I know it's an individual award, but ... truly, in my opinion, a team award,'' said Manning, who received 32 votes. This award, which is voted on by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL, ties Manning with legendary quarterback Brett Favre as the only player to ever take the MVP award three times. In the Colts nine game winning streak, Manning is 209-of-290 for 2,248 yards and 17 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. He extended his NFL record with his ninth 4,000-yard season and finished with 27 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 95.0 passer rating. Congratulations on making history Peyton, we're all proud of you!!

Heart of a Champion

D1 athlete Monica Abbott knows what it takes to be a champion. As an SEC record holder and Olympic silver medalist, she is no stranger to working hard to secure a win. She has been training hard at D1 Knoxville to help her become a faster, stronger, more explosive athlete. The combination of her amazing natural talent and top level training make Monica one of the most dominant female athletes around. She was recently interviewed by STACK Magazine while training. Click here to view videos of Monica training, as well as hear her talk about everything from her recruitment process to her time at the Olympics.

Tour D1 Little Rock

Want to check out our newest facility? Join facility coordinator Anthony Lucas for a personal tour of D1 Little Rock.

Check Out D1 on Men's Health Magazine's Gym Finder

D1 was recently named one of the 30 Best Gyms in America by Men's Health Magazine. Check out our profile on Gym Finder to rate D1 and share about your experiences here.

Baseball Players Training in Chattanooga

Two minor league baseball players, Eric Eymann and Corey Gearrin, have begun offseason training at D1 Chattanooga. Eric was selected by the Reds in the 19th round out of Kansas State in 2005, and is currently playing for the Chattanooga Lookouts as a 3rd baseman.

Corey was selected by the Braves in the 4th round of the 2007 NLB draft and is currently playing for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Both athletes had great seasons, and D1 is proud to help them get faster, stronger, and more agile in the offseason!