For the last 9 weeks, 5 Grand Valley State University football players have been preparing for the biggest test of their athletic careers at PowerStrength Training Systems – the NFL Pro Day. 

GVSU is one of the premier programs in Division II football, and Kyler Blake-Jones, Drew Peterson, Gavin Cossou, Cody Tierney, and Kyle Nott were integral to the team’s 52 victories during their college careers. 

Under the expert guidance of  Brian Paulsen at PowerStrength, these former Lakers have transformed their bodies and refined their skills in hopes of impressing scouts from the NFL, CFL, and UFL on March 10th.

Even with all the success their GVSU teams saw at the Division II level over the years, they enter their Pro Day as ‘underdogs’ in the eyes of many. 

That hasn’t deterred them – instead, they’ve chosen to embrace it. 

Their commitment to the process, meticulous training, coupled with expert guidance and recovery – they have transformed and are ready to prove they can compete at the next level.

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THE JOURNEY

For the last 11 years, the Pro Day training program at PowerStrength has evolved. Now, it’s typically reserved for local athletes and athletes who came up through the PowerStrength program in high school and/or college. 

“Being able to provide this level of training in West Michigan is a game-changer for local athletes,” Mark Ehnis, Founder and CEO of PowerStrength says. “The program is intense. It’s a big under-taking and our only goal is to provide the highest level of service possible to help these guys gain every advantage as a football athlete.”

“Brian (Paulsen) has taken the reins of this program the last few years and truly does a tremendous job. He’s always one step ahead – and that shows year after year with the results. He has an ability very few trainers have to get transformational results in a short period of time. This only comes through real experience over an extended period of time.”

“I know that he has these guys ready to perform at a high-level because that’s just what we’ve come to expect around here. And Brian goes above and beyond taking that responsibility to heart. I’m so proud of the effort everyone puts in to help these guys.” Ehnis says. 

Since early January, this group has trained 5 days a week with Paulsen. This year’s results continue to be impressive.

“Brian just has a way in which to flip a switch in you,” Blake-Jones said. “He’s a top-notch, super-educated trainer, but I think his best skill set is the ability to push you. The relationship that I’ve built with Brian and the other members at the Plainfield location, made the decision really easy.” 

The transformations have been jaw-dropping. All 5 athletes have added muscle, dropped body fat while becoming faster, stronger, and more explosive.

“Coming here you’re going to get faster, you’re going to get stronger, you’re going to get heavier in the process,” Peterson said. “A lot of people think the heavier you get, the slower you get. Here, the heavier you get, the more powerful you get, the more explosive you get, and the faster times you’re going to get because you’re more explosive.”

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LOCAL GAINS

After working with dozens of athletes through the program over the years, the smaller size the group, the better.  “We’re able to get to know each athlete on a deeper level and customize for their specific needs,” Ehnis says. “We vet each athlete to ensure they can commit to the demands of the program. We aren’t going to waste anyone’s time – playing professional football isn’t for everyone.”  

3 of the 5 athletes—Blake-Jones, Peterson, and Cossou—had already experienced the PowerStrength difference before.

Training at PowerStrength in the summer college program before their senior seasons paid dividends on the field –  increasing their strength, explosiveness, and overall athleticism. 

“I don’t think it’s any surprise that I had my best season after training at PowerStrength all summer,” Blake-Jones said. “I was All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American, and training here over the summer was the backbone of that success.”

Tierney (Northview) and Nott (Jenison) – who were also local standout athletes in high school – saw their teammates’ gains at the start of fall camp, they knew PowerStrength was the place to be for their Pro Day training.

“I saw their improvements and their body transformations throughout the summer. They came back to workouts at school looking really good,” Tierney said. “I saw that, so I decided to come here too.” 

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THE POWERSTRENGTH DIFFERENCE

Training at PowerStrength is about more than just numbers and metrics. The environment and people make all the difference. The camaraderie and encouragement from the entire PowerStrength staff have pushed these 5 athletes to levels they never thought possible. 

“It’s been awesome,” Cossou said. “It’s always positive. As soon as you’re in the door they’re super positive. They push you in all the right ways, and it’s been really inspiring to be around them.” 

The energy is raised even more with the 5 college teammates—who have grown close over the last 4-6 years – pushing and supporting each other every step of the way during the training process.

“It’s awesome. It feels just like I’m at practice every day with all of them,” Nott said. “I’m very thankful that I decided to do it, it’s been great. It gives me some extra time with them and we pick each other up and push each other to a different level. Hopefully, we can all see the results at Pro Day.”

Coming from a college environment where they trained alongside 120 teammates, the small-group setting at PowerStrength has allowed for personalized attention, maximizing their individual gains.

“Training with a group of 5 guys, everything is just a little bit more personalized and a little bit more specific to our needs,” Peterson said. “Not everyone’s doing the same things, they are doing what they need specifically, and that’s what makes this place good.” 

This high-intensity training has not only improved their strength and explosiveness but also ingrained a deeper understanding of recovery, nutrition, performance psychology, and self-care.

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THE ROLE OF RECOVERY

Recovery is a critical piece in the training regimen. Body maintenance is taken seriously, focusing on proper nutrition, sleep, and recovery strategies. 

“We’re coming in here 5 days a week, and it’s a lot on the body,” Nott said. “We have to be sure to recover, fuel ourselves, get sleep. If we don’t do that, we’re going to come in here probably feeling sore every day, and those workouts aren’t going to go as well as we want them to.” 

Located next door to PowerStrength’s Plainfield location, Ignite PRP has played a pivotal role in their recovery process. Ignite has helped them stay fresh for their rigorous training through offering an array of advanced recovery modalities. 

“Our bodies are really sore, so getting over there, getting in the cold tubs, getting the saunas, we’re feeling good coming to train,” Peterson said. “We are nice and prepared, juiced up for the session.” 

These recovery strategies have only enhanced this part of the overall Pro Day preparation program. 

“They have everything over there you need to recover,” Cossou added. “It’s the same with the culture there, it’s great people that want to help you and see you at your best.”

The combination of PowerStrength’s training expertise and Ignite’s recovery technology has been a game-changer for these high-level athletes.

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RESULTS

The decision for these athletes to train at PowerStrength has paid off. Nott and Tierney’s physical transformations tell the story of relentless effort. 

Nott’s transformation, in particular, is one of the most dramatic ever seen in 9-week time span.

It didn’t take long for him to realize that training at PowerStrength was exactly what he needed to take his game to the next level.

“Day 1, ever since I came in for that workout, It was a tough one. It definitely set the tone for what we were going to work on and improve on here,” Nott said. “It’s been good week in and week out. I’ve seen improvements and have been getting better every week, so it’s been great.”

Nott was known for his speed in college. He’s gotten even faster at PowerStrength, but he has gained strength and added mass to his frame, becoming an even bigger all-around threat on the field.

“I’ve already gotten a lot faster, we’re working at it every day, getting better at it,” he said. “Strength is a big part of it, I’m getting a lot stronger, I’ve put on a lot of good weight.” 

Nott came to PowerStrenth weighing 190 lbs and is up to 207 lbs.

Tierney is another speed-demon. He ran a sub 4.4 second 40-yard dash for the first time in his life during his training, but he’s also added 10 lbs of muscle and increased his 225 lbs bench press reps.

“This place has pushed me to a whole nother level. I thought I was pretty strong and athletic before coming in here, but this place really humbles you and pushes you to a whole other level that I didn’t even know I had,” Tierney said.

Cossou stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and is up 15 lbs from the start of Pro Day training to 270. His stature will only help him get an opportunity at the next level. He is focused on jumping well, looking smooth, and running fast at the Pro Day.

“I put on good weight, I feel the mass, I feel powerful, and it’s real,” Cossou said. “I feel good running. I just feel good, I’m moving well. We do a lot of stuff mobility-wise here that I didn’t do in college, and my legs feel good and my lower half has been coming along towards the end.”

Peterson has added 10 lbs to his frame, but it’s the extra explosiveness added that has him the most excited for Pro Day.

“I’ve gotten faster. At the start of training my 10-yard split wasn’t very good, and I wasn’t feeling great. But now I’ve got my times way down, I feel good, I feel strong,” Peterson said. “Everything is getting better, the proof is in the pudding. The numbers don’t lie.”

Blake-Jones is an offensive lineman and strength is a big part of his game. During his Pro Day training at PowerStrength, he has gotten even stronger and added 15 lbs of muscle mass, all while dropping 3-tenths of a second off his 40-yard dash. 

With 4 years as a starter and a team leader for the Lakers, Blake-Jones has a stacked resume – and is only getting better.

“This place has changed my life for the better,” Blake-Jones said about PowerStrength.”And it starts with the people. They made me a better person and a better athlete.”   

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READY FOR THE MOMENT

As the Pro Day approaches, confidence is high among the group. Being a Division II athlete, they know the odds aren’t necessarily in their favor, but they also know they put in the work. 

“I want to go out there and show out,” Blake-Jones said. “I don’t want to overthink it. I don’t want to set my goals too high, but just go out there and have a solid day and do what I’m trying to do.” 

No matter what happens on March 10th, one thing is certain—these 5 athletes are stepping onto the field as the strongest, fastest, and most prepared versions of themselves – ready to seize any opportunity that comes their way. 

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GET STARTED AT POWERSTRENGTH 

4th-12th grade athletes of all sports and abilities can sign up at PowerStrength at any time throughout the year – while spots remain. PowerStrength has 5 facilities in West Michigan – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, and our newest location in Holland. 

PowerStrength also helps college athletes keep their edge when they are off-campus. Summer sessions are available and filling up fast.

Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more. Click below to schedule your assessment and get started.