The tight end turned offensive lineman Witt originally started his college athletic career playing basketball at Michigan Tech University before heading to NMU, where he joined the football team as a tight end in 2020. After changing positions during the 2021 season, Witt flourished on the line, where his massive size and elite athleticism helped him to become a standout.

Earlier this spring, Witt attended the Central Michigan University pro day, where his rare-blend of size and quickness intrigued NFL scouts. The 6-foot-7 Witt’s athleticism is not only impressive in comparison with his 2023 draft contemporaries, it is one of the best in years. Witt scored a 9.80 Relative Athletic Score, which ranks 26th out of 1,239 offensive tackles measured since 1987, according to Kent Lee Platte, the creator of the formula which NFL teams take into consideration during draft season.

Well-respected NFL Draft journalist Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Witt in the top-20 of available offensive tackles in the 2023 draft class.

The humble and affable 23-year-old Witt said that his impressive showing during his pro day has changed many aspects of his life.

“It’s been blowing up a lot. My life has definitely changed. I’ve flown around to different parts of the country, met cool people and had an awesome experience,” Witt said. “It’s surreal. When I played high school football, I played for two years on an eight-man team. Just to be at this point and have this opportunity is surreal to me. Just to see NMU there listed alongside of Michigan and Alabama is a very cool experience.”

While Witt is going through the draft process and meeting with NFL coaches and executives, he’s not letting the attention take away from his desire to constantly improve.

“Leading up to the pro day, we were training for those tests like the 40-yard dash. Now, training has changed to focusing more on football skills, staying strong, getting more explosive,” Witt said. “I went into the pro day having talked to around six to eight teams, now I’ve talked to every team except for one.”

Most fans who watch the NFL Draft associate the players selected with big schools like Alabama, Georgia, Michigan and other teams from major conferences, but Witt says that he feels going to a smaller school like NMU can have plenty of benefits.

“Coming from a small school like NMU, there is a lot less pressure and less spotlight, both mentally and physically,” Witt said. “I think it’s an advantage, guys like us from smaller schools get ourselves into these positions, same as the Division 1 guys but without the same resources. They have nutrition plans and training programs that are all NFL-level. We didn’t have any of that but we still got to this point.”

With a big weekend ahead, Witt says that he is planning on watching the draft with his family and friends.

“Having a get together with both sides of my family and some of my best friends. The people that have been there since the start of the journey,” Witt said. “A culmination and celebration of a number of things and just hoping my name gets called.”

Witt won’t be the only one watching and hoping to hear his name get called this weekend, as Witt says that he has received constant support from fellow Yoopers.

“The Upper Peninsula is a small, tight knit community. Everyone shows their full support towards each other and roots each other on. Being a Yooper taught me work ethic and to be humble. Just to have the support of the U.P. as a whole is awesome and much appreciated,” Witt said. “I’m going to go to the next level and wear that U.P. on my back proudly.”

The NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday and continues through Saturday.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net