OWEGO GRAD GLADNEY, FANS AWAIT NFL DRAFT (2020-04-23)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — It's here. The moment Will Gladney has been waiting for and working toward for a long, long time. It's the 2020 NFL Draft and Gladney, who holds numerous records at Owego Free Academy and Ithaca College, is hoping to hear his name called sometime during the three-day, seven-round extravaganza.

Gladney took the spring semester off to prepare himself — mentally and physically — to play professional football. He has expressed his desire to take his talents to the next level, preferably in the NFL, and has worked diligently to achieving his goal.

Steve Virkler, Gladney's head coach at Owego, can attest to the work ethic and dedication the record-setting wide receiver has brought to the gridiron.

"Will loved being on the field for anything to do with competition," Virkler said. "If he failed (which was rare) in a drill he would want to redeem himself immediately. He always wanted to compete against the best too, no matter what the situation was. He knew that's what would make him better.

"His desire to win was infectious — the hardest part when he was younger was trying to corral that energy and make sure it was positive for both himself and his teammates. He certainly grew with age, both physically and mentally. He was able to handle more as he got older and his play would speak for itself. He continues to grow as an athlete and a person — he has worked extremely hard to get where he is today and he has taken advantage of his opportunities."

Gladney, who played four seasons at Ithaca and was a three-year starter, finished his career with team-highs in receptions (258), receiving yards (3,574) and touchdowns (38). He also led the team in single-season yards (1,161) touchdowns (16) this past fall. He also scored a school-record three TDs in a game on four occasions during his career.

He is a three-time Liberty League First-Team All-Conference selection and has been named to the D3football.com East Region First Team twice along with being awarded Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year as a junior.

As a youth, Gladney bounced around several foster families before finding a home with Marc and Jennifer Brainard, but it would take time to fit in at Owego.

"When Will first moved to Owego he kept to himself for the most part," Virkler said. "He wasn't sure who he could trust so he just went about his business without asking for much. As he got more comfortable in our community he started to grow and work towards his goals. Many people in and out of school cared about him and helped in any way they could — he certainly ended up in a caring family with the Brainards who have had a major impact on Will's life."

The American Football Coaches Association voted Gladney a second-team All-American following the 2019 season. He was also a Free Agent Football Preseason First-Team All-American and Lindy's Second-Team Preseason All-American last fall, and was a D3football.com First-Team Preseason All-American in 2018.

Gladney, a NYSPHSAA Class B all-state first-team pick as a senior, graduated from Owego holding all the Indians' receiving records. They include most receptions in a game (9 vs. Waverly, 2015 playoffs), season (40, 2014) and career (98, 2013-15); most receiving yards in a game (167 vs. Chenango Valley, 2014), season (771, 2013) and career; and (2,064, 2013-15); and most TD receptions in a game (3 vs. CV, 2014), season (11, 2015) and career (26, 2013-15).

Virkler thinks Gladney offers several strengths to NFL teams.

"In my opinion, Will goes and gets the ball as well as anyone I have seen play the game," he said. "He has a knack to catch it at its highest point and he is not afraid of contact anywhere on the field. As I stated earlier, his desire to win and compete is second to none."

If there is a weakness among Gladney's talents it would be his speed. The average 40-yard dash time among wide receiver prospects at NFL combines in recent years is 4.48 seconds with the top time being 4.22 seconds, set by the Cincinnati Bengals John Ross at the 2017 combine. Among this year's prospects, Alabama's Henry Ruggs III has been timed at 4.25 seconds. Gladney has been clocked at 4.64 seconds, according to draftscout.com, although he has been reported to run as fast as 4.57.

"I'm not sure it's a weakness, but I'm sure his speed is a concern for some at that level," Virkler said. "Compared to other guys at that position he is not going to set any records, but many times his desire to catch the ball make up for what he might lack in terms of separation."

Gladney is up against some stiff competition as this year's draft class is loaded at wide receiver — 12 of the top 50 draft prospects are wide receivers. However, it would not be a total surprise to become one of this year's 255 selections.

Eleven D-3 alums were on NFL rosters at the start of the 2019 season and there were 12 in 2008. That included WR Pierre Garcon (NFL receptions leader in 2013), who came from D-3 Mount Union College and played in the NFL for 11 years before being released by San Francisco after the 2018 season.

Ali Marpet, an offensive lineman from Liberty League rival Hobart College, is the highest-ever D-3 draft pick, going 61st to Tampa Bay in 2015.

Regardless of whether or not Gladney makes the cut, he has left his mark on the football field.

"I'm just really excited and proud of what he has done since he's left Owego Free Academy," Virkler said. "If you told people when he was a sophomore at Owego that he would go on to set records and lead Ithaca College as a captain in a few years and have a chance to play in the NFL, they might have looked at you with a raised eyebrow.

"He has really excelled at Ithaca and it was a perfect fit for him athletically, socially and educationally. He continues to work hard and chase his dream. Regardless of what happens today, tomorrow or in the near future he can look in the mirror and say he gave it his best shot — hopefully his dreams do come true!"

Covid-19 has forced the traditional draft to be scrapped at its Las Vegas venue and will be carried out for the first time ever in a virtual format only from coaches' homes.

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2020 NFL DRAFT
Round 1 of the draft will be held this evening at 8 p.m., and continues Friday at 7 p.m. with Rounds 2-3 and Saturday at noon with Rounds 4-7.

The draft will be shown on TV, by live stream or on radio at:
• Thursday — ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
• Friday — ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
• Saturday — ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio

You can also find live coverage on CBS Sports HQ and CBSSports.com, while www.fuboTV.com is offering a 7-day streaming free trial.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ITHACA COLLEGE.