Much involved for players preparing leap into NFL

After classes, some students scurry home to hit the books. Others socialize with friends over a cafeteria meal. For aspiring professional football players such as Marcus Freeman or Brian Hartline, typical post-class activities differ far from those of the average student.

"In between workouts and class, I usually get a massage, have a chef come over to prepare meals, and different stuff like that," said Freeman, an OSU senior linebacker.

These perks represent the transition from student athlete to professional athlete, and mark the start of a lifelong dream, Freeman said.

"You're starting to realize your dream is coming true," he said. "As a kid, you always dream about making it to the NFL, and now I'm that close. I can almost touch it. Although it's not here yet, I'm feeling it."

Ohio State's football team graduated 29 seniors from the 2008 squad. In addition to Todd Boeckman, James Laurinaitis and Brian Robiskie, juniors Brian Hartline and Chris "Beanie" Wells also declared for April's NFL Draft.

From the time each player declares until the draft, the process is similar to an audition for any other job.

A crucial first step in advancing into professional sports is hiring an agent, Hartline said.

"You have someone in your corner who takes phone calls and take the pressure off you," he said. "If you need something, they take care of you. So really, the process of determining your agent lightens the load a little bit."

An agent helps give an athlete exposure among professional scouts and talent evaluators, Freeman said.

"We're professionals now, and it's your business, and you hire people to represent you," he said. "It's Marcus Freeman's company, and now who do I want on my team?"

Freeman has embraced the fact that he can finally use his production on the field to make some money.

"It's nice because all through college, you're worried about accepting free gifts and you worry about what you can and can't do," he said. "Now, you start to do autograph signings and get a little money. You start to have people send boxes of things to your house, wanting you to go with Nike or Under Armour or something like that."

The transition to the life of a professional athlete varies for each player. Growing up watching football, Hartline knows what to expect out of the NFL Combine, a convention in which football players with NFL aspirations take part in drills in front of hundreds of scouts.

"It's not too crazy because it's the norm," he said. "You go through high school and hear about the NFL Combine, and now it's televised, so a lot of athletes know what to expect to a certain extent."

Freeman said playing football for such an esteemed program as OSU has prepared him for the spotlight of the NFL Combine.

"When you go to Ohio State, you're used to a lot of this stuff," he said. "Every day at practice, you see 20 or 30 scouts watching the seniors. You hear about it and it's nerve-wracking because you know your future depends on how well you do, but at the same time it's what you're used to. Go out there and play and just do what you're used to doing."

The Combine starts today and runs until Feb. 24.

As athletes' schedules are dominated by NFL auditions, academics take a backseat, Hartline said.

"I want to get my degree, but really, it's not my main priority," he said. "For the next few months, it'll be working out at the Combine and doing football stuff. School being your second priority but still being really demanding is difficult. It's the biggest change, from being a college student athlete to declaring for the NFL."

Hartline plans to take his final courses this spring.

Freeman continues to work toward a Master's degree. For now, however, his focus on schoolwork has waned.

"Football is going to be our job," he said. "Our job isn't going to be to go to school, or do that stuff anymore. It's about playing football, and preparing our bodies to have the longest years of football we can."

Freeman knows that the next few months will play a major role in determining the success of his career in professional football.

"Hopefully I can play this game as long as I can, but I know it won't be forever," he said. "As long as I can play this game I will, and just to enjoy it. I don't look at it as a burden, because when you start saying, 'Man, I have to play football again,' that's when it's going to be time to quit."

The process of auditioning for a professional football career requires each athlete to maintain focus and determination, Freeman said.

"The thing is to just relax. It's the most important time of your life right now."