Wake Forest Athletics
Training and Development Helps Maginn Realize NFL Dream
5/12/2023 12:00:00 PM | Football
The Wake Forest football alumni signed with the Los Angeles Rams following the 2023 NFL Draft and will join Demon Deacon teammates defensive lineman Kobie Turner and linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr in Los Angeles.
After training several weeks at ADAPT Athletic Development in Atlanta, Demon Deacon offensive lineman Sean Maginn put on an impressive performance at Wake Forest Pro Day in front of 28 NFL scouts.
His work earned a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams where he will join fellow Demon Deacons in defensive lineman Kobie Turner and linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr.
"I was proud of my broad jump and bench," Maginn said after his workout in Winston-Salem. "I felt good. I trained hard for this and I think all of the hard work is paying off."
He turned in an 8'11" broad jump, 29 inch vertical jump and 27 bench press reps during pro day.
"There's some anxiety, but at the end of the day you want those nerves," Maginn said. "I felt like I had an adrenaline boost here or there. It was cool. It's different from game day, because there you have your brothers around you, especially playing offensive line. You're out here as the only one. I enjoyed it. It was cool."
The post-bowl game workouts in Atlanta helped Maginn prepare for what was to come.
"It was great," he said. "Then on the weekends I was working offensive line stuff. It was excellent training, and I'm proud of what I accomplished out here.
"You want to be athletic. You want to be smooth on your feet. You want to have a loud pop with your hands when you're punching the bags. You also want to move out here, and be as smooth and fast as possible. That's what my training was about, to be smooth, fast and strong. If you're slow on your feet, it's hard to change directions. We did bag drills at the start of position work, because they want to see how you move and how twitchy you are."
As he went through a series of drills in McCreary Field House, Maginn couldn't help but reflect on his teammates and his time as a Demon Deacon.
"It's cool being back and seeing the guys," Maginn said. "It's great having Zach Tom back, and then watching guys like Ryan Anderson and Phil Haynes do previous pro days. You get experience through watching and learn what to expect, what they've built and where this football program is going. It's something to be proud of. Seeing guys before you accomplish things gives you hope that you can be a part of it and do things at the next level."
Also in attendance was Wake Forest offensive line coach Nick Tabacca, who was there to support Maginn along with Loic Ngassam Nya and Je'Vionte Nash. Nya also found a home at the end of the draft process, signing with the New York Jets.
"Offensive line play changes from college to pro, so he can only help so much," Maginn said. "He's just a great supporter. He has all the confidence in the world for the three of us who went out during Pro Day. He told us to do our thing. Just having him out here watching and supporting us meant the world."
With so many former Wake Forest players finding success in the National Football League, Maginn only has to look back at what Luke Masterson has accomplished to see what is possible after getting a undrafted free agent contract or camp invite.
"He's awesome," Maginn said. "Being around him for five years, you knew he would be great at the next level. The maturity he has and the leader he's been. He's a great example of what's possible in this program. Everyone wanted to work like him. I'm so proud of him. What he's accomplished, none of us are surprised. We expected it."
His work earned a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams where he will join fellow Demon Deacons in defensive lineman Kobie Turner and linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr.
"I was proud of my broad jump and bench," Maginn said after his workout in Winston-Salem. "I felt good. I trained hard for this and I think all of the hard work is paying off."
He turned in an 8'11" broad jump, 29 inch vertical jump and 27 bench press reps during pro day.
"There's some anxiety, but at the end of the day you want those nerves," Maginn said. "I felt like I had an adrenaline boost here or there. It was cool. It's different from game day, because there you have your brothers around you, especially playing offensive line. You're out here as the only one. I enjoyed it. It was cool."
The post-bowl game workouts in Atlanta helped Maginn prepare for what was to come.
"It was great," he said. "Then on the weekends I was working offensive line stuff. It was excellent training, and I'm proud of what I accomplished out here.
"You want to be athletic. You want to be smooth on your feet. You want to have a loud pop with your hands when you're punching the bags. You also want to move out here, and be as smooth and fast as possible. That's what my training was about, to be smooth, fast and strong. If you're slow on your feet, it's hard to change directions. We did bag drills at the start of position work, because they want to see how you move and how twitchy you are."
As he went through a series of drills in McCreary Field House, Maginn couldn't help but reflect on his teammates and his time as a Demon Deacon.
"It's cool being back and seeing the guys," Maginn said. "It's great having Zach Tom back, and then watching guys like Ryan Anderson and Phil Haynes do previous pro days. You get experience through watching and learn what to expect, what they've built and where this football program is going. It's something to be proud of. Seeing guys before you accomplish things gives you hope that you can be a part of it and do things at the next level."
Also in attendance was Wake Forest offensive line coach Nick Tabacca, who was there to support Maginn along with Loic Ngassam Nya and Je'Vionte Nash. Nya also found a home at the end of the draft process, signing with the New York Jets.
"Offensive line play changes from college to pro, so he can only help so much," Maginn said. "He's just a great supporter. He has all the confidence in the world for the three of us who went out during Pro Day. He told us to do our thing. Just having him out here watching and supporting us meant the world."
With so many former Wake Forest players finding success in the National Football League, Maginn only has to look back at what Luke Masterson has accomplished to see what is possible after getting a undrafted free agent contract or camp invite.
"He's awesome," Maginn said. "Being around him for five years, you knew he would be great at the next level. The maturity he has and the leader he's been. He's a great example of what's possible in this program. Everyone wanted to work like him. I'm so proud of him. What he's accomplished, none of us are surprised. We expected it."
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