PHOENIX (WCMH)–NBC4 is following former Ohio State University linebacker Darron Lee’s path to the NFL draft. His mom, NBC4’s Candice Lee, went with him to Phoenix as he trains for the upcoming NFL combine.

On Thursday, Darron continued training for the 40-yard dash, which is crucial for the combine. A tenth of a second could separate a first-round pick from a second-rounder and could mean a difference of thousands, if not millions, of dollars on a player’s contract.

Darron also participated in linebacker drills. Scouts from all 32 NFL teams will watch him closely to see if he may be the right fit for their squad.

Barry Gardner has been working with linebacker prospects since 2006, making small tweaks to their form, footwork and hand positions. He told Candice a bit of what he looks at with the players on at the camp.

“How well does a guy move in space, body control,” he explained. “Do they bend their knees? Do they trip over their feet, or are they good with their feet.”

There is also class work, where Darron must show his ability to sniff out offenses and set the right defensive schemes.

“A lot of teams like to see the guys get on the board for what we call ‘chalk talk,’ Gardner said. “Draw up our defense, give us everyone’s assignment, run and pass.”

Darron also talked with Candice about his nutrition regimen. In his first few days of combine training, Darron went through a nutrition evaluation–weight, height, and body weight composition.

Michelle Riccardi, Exos Sports Performance Dietician, said Darron is eating about 5,000 calories a day.

“For him, I have to take into consideration the amount of energy he’s using during his strength training sessions, as well his movements sessions and his position work,” she said. “And then I need additional calories for weight gain.”

The new foods, like beets and flaxseed, have headlined many of Darron’s conversations with Candice.

“There are some days there’s some health stuff, I’m just like, ‘yeah I don’t want to eat that,'” he said. “But breakfast for sure is the best meal of the day.”