Penn State TE Mike Gesicki talks NFL Combine, ‘really effective’ Senior Bowl

Fresh off an impressive week at the Senior Bowl, Mike Gesicki is eyeing a similar showing at the NFL Combine in a couple months.

The record-setting, sure-handed Penn State tight end joined former teammates DaeSean Hamilton, Marcus Allen and Christian Campbell in Mobile, Ala. Gesicki — who had 105 catches, 1,242 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons — displayed superior athletic ability catching passes from Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Wyoming’s Josh Allen during practice and Saturday’s game.

Back at his Florida training base, the projected Day 2 draft selection caught up for “Five Questions” — confirming his NFL Combine invite, talking about a successful Senior Bowl and reliving interactions with former Penn State coach Bill O’Brien.

Q: You had three catches for 39 yards in the Senior Bowl game. How do you think Saturday and the whole week leading up to it went?

A: I think the week went really well. I think I was performing at a high level. I was really effective in both the pass game and the run game. Made some plays and kind of opened up some eyes. It was cool.

Q: What’s one thing you wanted to prove last week?

A: I don’t think it’s a surprise that I wanted to show I have the willingness and desire to be an effective and efficient blocker. I think I went there, and I blocked very well all week, including the game. I won a bunch of my one-on-one speed-rush reps in practice. So, you know, I really thought I took a big step forward this week. I proved that.

Q: You were recruited by Bill O’Brien, and he was the South team’s coach. Were you able to catch up with him at all and chat?

A: Yeah, I saw him out on the practice field, saw him right before the game, met with the Texans and all that kind of stuff. I was able to talk with him; some of it was cool, some of it was down to business and all that kind of stuff. But it was cool just to talk to him because we had that previous relationship.

Q: Being down there with DaeSean, Marcus, Christian and former teammate Adam Breneman, what was it like to share the experience with them?

A: Current teammates, former teammates, there were a bunch of guys down there. It was cool to see the kind of talent that’s come out of State College and Penn State, and it translated at the Senior Bowl. It was a cool experience, and I’m happy for those guys. It was a good week for all of us.

Q: What are your plans now, and do you know if you’ll be going to the NFL Combine yet? (The Combine’s official player list isn’t announced until February.)

A: I’m at the training facility right now (at EXOS in Pensacola, Fla.). I’ve got morning workouts and afternoon workouts, just taking the days to get stronger and faster and bigger. And I’m going to the Combine on the 27th of February.

This story was originally published January 29, 2018 at 2:26 PM with the headline "Penn State TE Mike Gesicki talks NFL Combine, ‘really effective’ Senior Bowl."