CWU headed to Combine, too

YAKIMA, Wash. — Juan Garcia isn’t the only in-state player heading to the NFL Combine later this month.

The University of Washington center will be joined there by two playera he got to know pretty well during their experience at the East-West Shrine Classic.

Central Washington University quarterback Mike Reilly and tight end Jared Bronson will also take part in the Feb. 18-24 event that features about 300 of the top prospects for the NFL Draft.

Garcia, who hadn’t met Reilly until they became teammates at the all-star game, came away impressed.

“Mike Reilly is a class act,” said Garcia, adding that Reilly was talented enough to play for an NCAA Division I school. “I’ve got a lot of respect for him. He conducted himself in a respectful manner.”

Reilly took snaps from Garcia as the West drove for the potential go-ahead score late in the game. They got to the East 8-yard line with less than two minutes to play, but the drive stalled and the East held on for a 24-19 victory.

Bronson was a UW teammate of Garcia’s before transferring to CWU before the 2007 season.

“It was fun,” Garcia said. “It was a cool game and we had a chance to win at the end.”

Washington State wide receiver Brandon Gibson also is scheduled to participate in the combine.