Cline shines at Blue-Gray All-American Combine
West Holmes rising junior Lynn Cline was elated to receive an invitation to the Blue-Gray All-American Combine in Canton, where he got to showcase his skills and learn from some top scouts and coaches from around the nation.
It’s one thing to have a season on the gridiron worthy of being tabbed an All-Ohioan.
It’s a whole new ballgame when it comes to being invited to attend the Blue-Gray All-American Combine, designed to showcase the state’s top juniors and sophomores and provide exposure to colleges.
This spring West Holmes sophomore Lynn Cline joined a group of invitees to attend the event at the Canton Hall of Fame field, and what made Cline’s journey more unique than others there was that while he earned first-team All-Ohio status at linebacker, he attended the combine as a wide receiver, where he feels his talents will relate more to the college level.
Cline participated in the combine on April 28 after receiving the invitation to attend.
The one-day combine was a fascinating experience for Cline, who signed in and got his jersey before heading out for a video session.
After warming up, the speed and agility testing began in earnest, with players being evaluated in the 40-yard sprint, broad and vertical jumps, agility tasks like the L-drill and shuffle drill, and other drills meant to measure athleticism.
From there it was working on individual drills with noted teachers and coaches from around the nation.
Finally, the time came to measure up and compete in drills one-on-one with other athletes, which Cline said was the most enjoyable part of the day.
“I think the most challenging thing was the one-on-one drills because we went at it so hard that it did get tiring after a while, but I liked the challenge,” Cline said.
While Cline trusts his own athletic skill set, he is used to receiving reps with Knights’ All-Ohio quarterback Morgan Smith, so it was different to have to line up and run one-on-one drills with a new quarterback each set.
“That was kind of tough,” Cline said. “I had to meet with each of the quarterbacks before and discuss which route you wanted to run, and the defensive back would try to cover you. It took some getting used to.”
The experience may have gotten Cline’s name out there for schools to see, but more importantly in his eyes, it presented a chance to learn and grow as a player.
“I think I learned a lot of things I didn’t realize were important to improving my game to get to the next level of play at college,” Cline said. “It’s going to help my techniques and strategies improve dramatically, and my confidence also went up getting to compete with and against all of this top talent in Ohio.”
Cline said while it may have been a little intimidating stepping onto the field with the best of the best in Ohio, once he became acclimated, he settled in and realized he too was one of those guys and that he belonged.
As a young player who dreams of playing at the collegiate level, Cline has two more years to prove himself as a Knight before that time comes.
He said coming up through the West Holmes football system has amply prepared him for what may come next, and he has learned from plenty of former players and a coaching staff that has helped him grow to understand the game.
Oddly enough, as a fine athlete, Cline played a lot of quarterback in the peewee ranks but soon realized it wasn’t going to be in the cards when he started playing with longtime friend Smith.
He laughed and said after one year of playing with Smith that his friend was a very talented quarterback and he should probably find a new position, which he did in linebacker and wide receiver.
He said being so close to Smith will only help their on-field chemistry next year as they prepare to continue the program’s success.
“There’s expectations here at West Holmes that we’re going to perform well, win games and play at a high level,” Cline said. “I have the basics, and now I know I need to get bigger, stronger and faster. I’m ready to lead and to help us win. I’m grateful for the opportunity that God placed in front of me.”
The Blue-Gray experience is an opportunity Cline knows will push him to become the type of player he wants to be.