Cole Schneider, former Riverdale wrestling champ, fights for NFL future at UCF's pro day

ORLANDO — If football doesn't pan out, Cole Schneider already has some potential backup plans in the works.

"I told some of the guys that cage fighting would be the next thing I'm on," said Schneider, a standout football player, and a state champion wrestler during his days at Riverdale High. "I might want to be a chiropractor, as well."

"My head's in a lot of different places. But right now, it's straight-shot. It's football."

More:UCF's Mr. Consistent Cole Schneider will wrap his college career vs. Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl

And:Riverdale grad Cole Schneider lives every lineman's dream, scoring a touchdown for UCF

Schneider, a veteran of 47 games along the offensive line for UCF, fought for those dreams and the attention of NFL scouts Friday afternoon at the school's pro day. He posted the second-best bench press total of the Knights' nine pro hopefuls, completing 29 reps at 225 pounds.

Measuring just over 6-foot-3 and 309 pounds, Schneider wanted to surpass 30 reps but was not overly displeased with his showing in the weight room. He added a 40-yard dash time, unofficially hand-measured by one scout, in the mid 5.2-second range.

"In training, I got up to 34," said Schneider, who earned All-AAC second-team honors from both Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Network. "Twenty-nine is not terrible. At the end of the day, it's more of a personal thing. … It sucks, but it could have been worse."

Since competing in his final college game, an emphatic 29-17 triumph over Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl two days before Christmas, Schneider has bounced around the state to improve his draft chances.

He relocated to Deerfield Beach temporarily and trained at the BARWIS Performance Center, then returned to Orlando to take part in the Hula Bowl.

"There was a lot of stuff I learned, especially, with those guys," Schneider said. "A lot of former coaches, a lot of knowledge in the game. I was a sponge, soaking up everything I could and trying to be as coachable as possible."

Schneider started all 13 games during his redshirt senior season, 12 at right guard and one at center. His experience, scheme versatility and ability to offer cover at all three interior spots could attract NFL suitors.

More than anything, though, his physicality flashes on film.

"He pulls with ill intentions and tries to kill people," said former UCF right tackle Marcus Tatum, another 2022 draft hopeful. "You couldn't ask for a better guard than that. I knew when he was pulling in front of me that the (defender) was going to get moved.

"He's willing to put his body on the line for anybody and is an all-around good person. He's always been there for me, always helped me. He let me lean on him the moment I got here."

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one veteran AFC scout described Schneider as a "draftable" prospect in the Day 3 range of the draft that runs April 28-30.

"You look at the workout, he's into it," the scout said. "He works really, really hard. He's got a nice little low base. Moving laterally, there's a little tightness there. Once he gets his hands on a guy, he can control them. He's got decent strength."

To this point, Schneider said he has spoken with the Las Vegas Raiders, holding a Zoom call with assistant offensive line coach Cameron Clemmons.

With less than three weeks left until the draft, Schneider still has at least one more opportunity to impress. He will attend a workout hosted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 7.

"I'm assuming it will be like a pro day," Schneider said. "It's probably going to be a bit more meetings where they will get in your head and see how things are. I'm excited to go there and to show what I can do."