Meet the Athlete
Nick Herbig is a standout outside linebacker from the University of Wisconsin preparing for the NFL Combine, an event where performance metrics directly influence draft position, contract value, and career trajectory. His position requires elite-level acceleration, sprint mechanics, rapid deceleration, and powerful lower-body force production.
Nick Herbig
NFL Player
What was the challenge?
Approximately two months before the combine, Nick suffered a hamstring strain during training. With limited time before testing, this injury risked not only his combine performance, but his draft position and professional future.
He struggled with:
Hamstring weakness and asymmetry
Sprinting and acceleration without pain
Confidence in high-velocity movement
The urgency of his timeline raised the stakes: every training week mattered.
What was our process?
We approached Nick’s rehab with precision, urgency, and a clear progression strategy aligned to his combine schedule.
Step 1: Precise Assessment
On his first day, we evaluated:
Hamstring strength and mobility
Rate of force development
Sprint mechanics and running gait
Symmetry and loading tolerance
Baseline testing revealed only 57 lb of strength in the injured hamstring, well below the demands of high-speed sprinting.
Step 2: Targeted Strength and Load Progression
Nick’s program focused on:
Foundational hamstring loading in provocative positions
Strength development across full range and speed
Pattern-specific strengthening for acceleration and sprinting mechanics
Gradual exposure to speed, load, and neuromuscular demand
Once he reached 70 lb of hamstring strength, we progressed from controlled contraction work into speed-focused drills and dynamic force production exercises — always guided by objective testing.
Step 3: Return to Speed and High-Velocity Work
Throughout his rehab, we tracked:
Force-plate metrics
Rate of force development
Sprint capacity and tolerance
Velocity thresholds for acceleration and max-speed running
His progression followed a structured timeline:
Low-intensity, longer-duration running
Top-speed mechanics within tolerance
Moderate-to-high-velocity sprinting
Full acceleration and deceleration demands
Finally, 100% sprint speed without pain
Where is he now?
With one week remaining before the NFL Combine, Nick achieved full-speed sprinting at max velocity pain-free. His performance helped secure a draft position with the Pittsburgh Steelers, selected in the fourth round, higher than projected pre-injury.
He has since gone on to build a successful NFL career.
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