DURHAM, N.C. — When Duke quarterback Daniel Jones broke his collarbone during a game against Northwestern early in the season last fall, it dealt a serious blow not just to his team, but to his future NFL prospects.
But thanks to the work of two of his best friends – also two walk-ons on the Duke football team – Daniel was able to save his season and impress NFL scouts at the same time.
Clark Bulleit and Kevin Gehsmann worked on a 3D printing study based on an individual’s anatomy. The pair first did a 3D scan of Jones’ torso to create a perfectly molded custom pad to protect Jones’ surgically repaired collarbone. That brace then distributed the impact of hits during games to above and below Jones’ collarbone, allowing him to make it back on field quicker -- while avoiding re-injury.
Now, the former Charlotte Latin Stars standout is set to be a first-round pick in Thursday’s NFL draft – due in no small part to his friends.
>> Channel 9 Sports Director Phil Orban will take you inside the NFL Draft live from Nashville. Be sure to tune in for the "Panthers Draft Live" on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 9.
“People overlooked that Daniel had to trust us, too, and that a lot of players wouldn’t have trusted the walk-ons on their team to do stuff for them,” Bulleit said.
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