Courtesy of Morgan State Athletic Communications
BALTIMORE, Md., April 3, 2020--Although the coronavirus pandemic canceled their Pro Day and HBCU Combine trip, Morgan State's Rico Kennedy and Ian McBorrough are still staying in shape.
At first, the pair of All-MEAC first team linebackers were disappointed they would not be able to showcase their talents in front of NFL scouts.
Pro Day was scheduled for March 26 at Hughes Stadium, and the inaugural Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Combine was set for March 27-29 in South Florida at the Miami Dolphins' practice facility. However, the two players did not let it upset them for long.
"I was down at first, but my wife was telling me it's all part of a bigger plan and whether it happens or not I should still be proud," said Kennedy.
"I'm still going to have my wife and two daughters, my mom and my dad. It's bigger than football right now… It's not just happening to me, it's happening to everybody that has been affected by the crises."
"Life goes on and you have to prepare for whatever that's going to happen next," Kennedy added.
McBorrough admitted he was disheartened by the cancellation. Now, though, he is even more focused.
"You can't harp on what happened in the past because it's already happened," said McBorrough. "You just have to stay positive and work hard every day to stay in shape."
Kennedy, a product of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., finished the 2019 season ranked third in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in tackles with 105, averaging 8.8 per game, and he led the conference with 16.0 tackles for loss. Kennedy finished his career at Morgan State with 162 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
His 51.0 career TFLs are the most in Morgan State school history, just ahead of Jarrell Guyton (49.5; 2005-08). He also finished with 19.0 career sacks, which is fourth-place all-time at MSU behind Christopher Robinson (28.5; 2011-14), Willie Thompson (26.0; 1994-97) and Justin "JR" Lawrence (24.0; 2006-08).
McBorrough finished the 2019 season by leading the MEAC with a career-high 110 total tackles and he also ranked T-11th in tackles for loss (10). He also had five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and two sacks.
The Essex, Md. product finished his collegiate career with 252 total tackles, which ranks fifth-place all-time behind Elvis Franks (348; 1975-79), Albert Gamble (292; 2000-03), Cody Acker (272; 2011-14) and Rico Kennedy (262; 2016-19).
Although most gym facilities are closed, the two players are making sure they are staying in shape. McBorrough and Kennedy are implementing the same hard work they've used for the past four years to push through the pandemic.
"My trainer sends me workouts I can do because I have the same equipment that I was using during my training process," McBorrough said.
"The biggest difference is when it comes to weights, because you can't get into a gym anymore," said McBorrough. "I don't have a weight room in my basement like some people, I have a weight room set at my next door neighbor's house. I do push up, sit-ups, go running and do other things to stay in shape.
McBorrough, Kennedy along with All-MEAC wide receiver Manasseh Bailey, who was also invited to the combine, could potentially be the next Bears in the NFL since Joshua Miles was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals 2019.
Kennedy explained that being drafted would be the ultimate dream.
"You dream of being drafted by the NFL as a kid," Kennedy said. "As long as I'm given a chance, that'll be a blessing itself, but to be drafted would be a great feeling. Whether I'm drafted or not, I still want to pursue the game that I love and whether it happens or not, I'm still going to enjoy the ride and everything that comes with it."
If McBorrough is drafted, he says teams will get an all-around player.
"I love the game of football. I respect the work that it takes to be successful in football," McBorrough said.
"I don't appreciate shortcuts. The game made me who I am, and I learned everything about being a man from the game of football. They'll get a good leader on and off the field, a good athlete and a linebacker."
They both hope that another opportunity will present itself in the near future.
If it does, they want to be ready.