A local football standout who's projected to be a second round pick in the National Football League draft will hang out at a Michigan City brewery while waiting to be picked.
Braden Fiske, a Michigan City High School graduate, will appear at Zorn Brew Works at 605 E. 9th Street in Michigan City during an NFL draft watch party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. Fiske will be at the brewery but will not be meeting with the public as he'll be busy with the draft.
"Braden is a local MCHS grad and doing great in his career. He will be at Zorn to watch his draft pick live," Zorn Brew Works Vice President John Van Prooyen said. "The public is invited, but it's not a meet and greet as his agent and business folks will be conducting business as it happens."
Fiske is a defensive tackle who stands six-foot-five and weighs about 295 pounds.
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He began his collegiate career at Western Michigan University from 2019 to 2022 before transferring to Florida State University last year. He played for the Florida State team that amassed a 13-0 record before its quarterback got hurt and it was snubbed by the College Football Playoff, instead getting blown out by Georgia 63-3 in the Orange Bowl after many of its starters, including Fiske, sat so they wouldn't get hurt and diminish their draft status.
Fiske, who amassed 148 tackles and 13.5 sacks at Western Michigan University, is projected to be drafted in the second round.
Last year, he had 43 tackles and six sacks for the Seminoles' vaunted defense. He had a huge sack that helped Florida State beat Louisville 16-6 to win the ACC championship last season.
"Fiske’s an intriguing prospect. His age and late breakout are concerning, but the production speaks for itself. His final year at Western Michigan (86.6 PFF grade) and his lone year at Florida State (73.9) produced solid grades across the board. Over that time, he put up a respectable 9.8% pass-rush win rate and an 8.4% run-stop rate. Fiske has a relentless motor that led to 14 sacks over the last two years," PFF said in a scouting report. "Fiske's measurements are not ideal, but he has an NFL-level football IQ and pass-rush quickness to be a potential impact player as a 4-3 defensive tackle, even with some run-defense deficiencies."
Fiske has reportedly met with the Colts, Ravens, Buccaneers, Bills, Seahawks, Jaguars, Browns and Panthers. Detroit Lions fans and media also have expressed interest given he played for a Michigan college.
"Braden Fiske has the potential to become a good 3-technique defensive tackle in the NFL, especially as a pass-rusher, primarily due to his blend of strength and athleticism," Bleacher Report said in its scouting report. "Fiske shows a lot of impressive movement skills and hip mobility to grow as a rusher, and he's effective as the looper in line games with good agility to gain ground vertically while moving laterally. Against the run, his lightning-quick get-off allows him to get penetration, and he has pop in his hands to win at the point of attack."
Fox 4 Kansas City described Fiske as being "built like a bodybuilder with the athleticism of someone half his size which makes him a very intriguing prospect."
"He switched between defensive tackle and end for Western Michigan but primarily stayed at DT for the Seminoles. His explosiveness out of his stance pops off of the screen along with his violent hands and relentless pursuit of the football. Fiske routinely made plays down the field off of his pursuit alone showing off that 40 time that was the fastest for a DL at the combine," Fox 4 Kansas City said in its scouting report. "Fiske is strong as an ox, able to throw around offensive linemen with ease in the run game and pass rush. He has good footwork and is used to taking on double teams as he played on the center a lot for FSU and was their primary interior pass rusher."
A look back at Northwest Indiana businesses that closed in 2023
A look back at Region businesses that closed in 2023
Beer Geeks, one of the Region's first, most beloved and most influential craft beer bars, closed after more than a decade and is being reimagined as a new concept.
The landmark 88-year-old castle-shaped White Castle in Whiting is coming down to be replaced with a newer, larger, more modern White Castle restaurant.Â
A longtime staple in downtown Crown Point poured its last drink.
The longtime Westforth Sports gun shop is closing.
The Silver Line Building Products plant at 16801 Exchange Ave. will be shuttered permanently.
Brewfest in Highland will close in what's been called "an end of an era."
David's Bridal filed for bankruptcy and could close all stores if no buyer emerges to save it.
The 88-year-old Whiting White Castle will be remembered with displays at museums in two different states.
For years, the "millionaire's club" met every morning in the corner booth of the historic 88-year-old White Castle at Indianapolis Boulevard and 119th Street in downtown Whiting. The landmark restaurant served its final slider Tuesday.Â
One of Northwest Indiana's most popular and enduring hobby shops is looking for a buyer after the longtime owner died.
J&L This N That Consignment Shop, a popular thrift store, closed in downtown Whiting after a run of several years.
A Calumet Region institution, Calumet Fisheries on the far South Side of Chicago, is temporarily closed after failing a city health inspection.
Just days after reopening after city health inspectors shut it down, Calumet Fisheries suffered a major fire.
Pepe's Mexican Restaurant is no mas in Valparaiso.
Beer Geeks in Highland rebranded as B-Side Bar & Lounge and then closed within a few months.
Troubled retailer Bed Bath and Beyond will permanently close its Valparaiso location as it shutters more stores nationwide as it looks to restructure and shrink its footprint to save the struggling business.
Peoples Bank has shuttered its branch in downtown Hammond.Â
Viking Artisan Ales will soon pour its last craft beer at its Merrillville taproom.
Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom is closing after 15 years at one of Northwest Indiana's most prominent highway interchanges.
The Chicago Auto Show, the nation's largest auto show, returns to McCormick Place Saturday, running through Feb. 19.