Ex-UNLV rusher Summers has plenty left in ‘Tank’

In the Jerry Maguire model of the agent-player dynamic that goes beyond a business relationship, Craig Schaeffer offers Frank Summers a place to stay when he’s in Sarasota, Fla.

It can be a busy home with “two dogs, a cat, four kids, a wife,” Schaeffer said, and a 5-foot-9-inch, 248-pound fullback.

As Summers’ agent, Schaeffer also has been responsible for helping the former UNLV star find a home in the NFL, a search that did not come easy.

Summers, 28, had been beset by injuries since going in the fifth round of the 2009 draft to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he even took 2012 off to heal his hamstrings and make sure he was physically ready to play.

So when given the chance last summer by the Buffalo Bills, Summers quickly showed his potential by beating 90-some other players in pushing a blocking sled the fastest. He continued to impress through minicamp, organized team activities (OTAs) and finally training camp to make the team and become its starting fullback.

Summers had a touchdown rushing against the New York Jets, and his TD reception late in the season beat the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I never doubted Frank at all,” Schaeffer said. “I knew he had an injury, and that’s a difficult injury for a professional athlete.”

It was one thing for the agent to believe in his client. The client had to believe as well.

Confidence never has been a problem for Summers, known since at least his UNLV days as “Frank the Tank.”

“I always felt like if I could stay healthy, the sky’s the limit for me,” Summers said. “Talent’s never been a question of how I am. It’s just been the health thing.”

He began his college career at California, but left after a year for a junior college rather than sit and watch Marshawn Lynch. Former UNLV coach Mike Sanford later offered Summers the opportunity at running back, and he rushed for 928 yards in 2007 and 740 in 2008.

It was at UNLV’s pro day the following March when Summers shined in front of scouts from 13 NFL teams, running 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The Steelers sent two scouts and running backs coach Kirby Wilson to watch the workout.

Hamstring injuries, however, began to hit Summers after he was drafted by the Steelers, and he said those contributed to needing back surgery as a rookie. He then spent the 2010 season on the practice squad, which is where he also found himself the following year with the San Diego Chargers.

Those teams couldn’t see what Summers could accomplish, he was convinced, because of the hamstring injuries. He did work out for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2012 training camp, but knew he had to shut himself down if the NFL was going to be in his future.

“I gambled on taking the year off just to let my body heal and bank on the fact I’d come back better than I had been performing in the previous years,” Summers said.

So Summers spent that fall and winter working out two or three times a day and six days a week at UNLV and at AthletiCare, a Las Vegas physical therapy and training facility. Summers also worked with former Rebels receiver Reggie Hobson, a trainer for Phase 1 Sports.

“Between those two places and working on my own, I was able to get in probably the best shape I’ve been in since my pro day,” Summers said. “I knew that time was of the essence, and if I was going to make this thing work, this would have to be the year.”

Even with all that preparation — and few have come through the Rebels’ locker room at Lied Athletic Complex with a stronger work ethic than Summers — it wouldn’t mean anything without an opportunity to try out for a team.

That chance came with the Bills, who had hired a general manager in May who knew a little something about Summers. Doug Whaley spent the previous 11 years with the Steelers, mostly as coordinator of pro scouting.

Even with the opportunity, Summers still had to prove himself, and he showed what he could do without suffering major injuries. He had a 34-yard catch against the Carolina Panthers, rushed for a touchdown against the Jets, and on Dec. 15, caught a 1-yard scoring pass with 4:15 left to beat the Jaguars, 27-20.

Now Summers looks forward to returning to the Bills. Because of his time on practice squads, he has only two years of NFL credit, meaning he’s still working on his contract from the Steelers.

“I think he’ll work even harder in the offseason, work on his technique and be the best fullback in the league,” Schaeffer said. “I really believe that.”

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.