Thread: Pro day info on prospects of interest

I think it would be a good idea to have a thread where we can put all the pro day info on our prospects of interest.. Please everyone contribute any info you feel is relevant...

Pro day sked to heat up… The annual circuit of on-campus workouts really picks up this week with as many as 50 college programs holding their pro days in the next few days. The action kicks off later today with a workout at Auburn. The most intriguing workout of the week, though, should be at Michigan on Friday where RB Mike Hart and WR Mario Manningham will be trying to improve on disappointing combine performances, while QB Chad Henne will be looking to enhance his status as one of the top second-tier passers in this year’s draft class.


Results from late pro days last week kind of got lost in traffic, although there were some interesting performances. Arizona State RB Ryan Torain, who was once considered a leading second-tier, for example, continued his comeback from a foot injury that limited him to six games this past season, as he ran an estimated 4.50 second 40-yard dash on a fast track at ASU. WR/KR Rudy Burgess timed out in the low 4.4 range, while CB Justin Tyron stopped the clock in around 4.5 seconds. At the same time, a couple of big ASU lineman posted decent times with 295-pound DT Marquel Marquardt running the 40 in about 5 flat while OT Brandon Rodd ran an estimated 5.10. Over at Purdue, Boilermakers’ OLB Stanford Keglar continued to build on a solid combine performance where he topped all linebackers in four drills and was second in another, by improving his vertical jump from 34 to 39 inches and ran the 40 in under 4.6 seconds. For his part, Purdue WR Dorien Bryant clocked out in around 4.45 seconds. Meanwhile Delaware QB Joe Flacco didn’t do anyof the physical tests, preferring to stand on his combine performance, but threw the ball for about 30 minutes in front of over 20 NFL personnel people in a session run by Jacksonville quarterbacks coach Mike Shula. And Flacco reportedly did nothing to hurt his status as one of the top QBs in this year’s draft class as he showed the arm strength and accuracy to make all the throws. Delaware RB Omar Cuff ran the 40 in just over 4.5 seconds at 5-10, 200. Like Delaware’s Flacco, San Diego QB Josh Johnson drew a crowd to the USD workout which was attended by representatives from 20 NFL teams, including head coaches Norv Turner of San Diego and Carolina’s John Fox. At 6-foot-3, 215-pounds, he has an NFL body and some skills to go with it. The Chargers’ Turner described Johnson as having done a ‘good job’ after he threw the ball for about a half an hour. Indeed, Johnson reportedly threw the ball much better than he did at the combine where he had been bothered by back spasms after recording the fastest 40-yard time of any QB present. South Florida LB Ben Moffitt also helped himself last week with a solid pro day outing. Moffitt, who did not run at the combine because of a tweaked hamstring, posted 40 times of around 4.6 seconds and posted an athletic VL of 37.5 inches. If there is a knock on Moffitt, though, its that he only weighed 224 pounds. USF CB Trae Williams reportedly ran the 40 in around 4.5 seconds, similar to his combine time of 4.51. On the other hand, fellow USF CB Mike Jenkins, did not run at the Bulls’ pro day after blazing a 4.38 40 at the combine.

BY BRIAN MURPHY - bmurphy@idahostatesman.com
Edition Date: 03/04/08

Sonya Kemp scours the Internet nightly for information about her nephew, craving any nugget that might reveal his NFL Draft stock is rising or any suggestion that a team might be interested.

"That's how I get myself ready to go to bed at night," Kemp said.

Kemp can rest easy now.

Her nephew - former Boise State left tackle Ryan Clady - aced his most important pre-draft workout Monday at Boise State's pro day, erasing any doubt about his status as a high first-round pick in April's draft.

Pro day attracted more than 50 NFL personnel from 30 teams to the Caven-Williams Sports Complex to time and test Clady and other former Boise State football players.

Clady ran his 40-yard dash in 5.18 seconds, unofficially. He showcased a vertical leap of 31 inches and a broad jump of nine feet. All three efforts would have placed him in the top 10 among lineman at the NFL Scouting Combine. The vertical was better than any offensive linemen's at the event.

I have no idea what that means in a football context - the next time an offensive lineman is asked to jump nine feet in a football game will be the first time - but Clady seemed happy.

"I didn't know I had that in me. Where did that come from? Must have been adrenaline," said Clady, showing more emotion in interviews than at any point in his standout Bronco career.

Clady, who did not do the bench press Monday, showed no ill effects from the strained pectoral muscle that knocked him out of last week's combine. During line drills, he showed the explosiveness and athleticism that brought scouts from around the country.

"Everyone, to a man, said he blew them away. He was extremely athletic, extremely quick," his agent Pat Dye Jr. said after the session. "Quick hands. Quick feet. That's what you look for in a great pass blocker and that's what they pay people in this league at his position to do."

Now that the 40s and bench presses and shuttle drills are over, Clady, who left school after his junior season, can concentrate on offensive line work.

That bodes well for him.

At a time when NFL teams are looking for reasons not to draft players, Clady - a lean 6-foot-6 and 311 pounds - didn't give them one Monday.

He handled the bull rush from Tad Miller, a question some have asked. He showed solid aggressiveness, a concern teams have expressed to Dye.

"They want to see, they want to be convinced he has the right temperament and disposition to play offensive line," Dye said. "If you're going to draft a guy as high as he's going to be drafted, they want to know he's got that in him."

The Carolina Panthers sent five officials, including head coach John Fox. And it isn't because Boise is lovely this time of year. The Chicago Bears are sending head coach Lovie Smith next week for a private workout.

Carolina picks No. 13 in the first round. Chicago selects 14th.

"Some teams are like, 'We're probably not going to be able to get you.' Teams in the 20s say that to me," Clady said.

Carolina and Chicago might be saying that soon.

The Kansas City Chiefs, who select fifth, need an offensive tackle. Their representative told Dye that Clady "did nothing but impress" Monday.

Yes, that's what agents are supposed to say. They're supposed to talk up their clients.

But the buzz in the indoor facility and the rush of NFL people to talk to Clady after his workout signified he had, indeed, impressed.

The word is out.

That he will be the highest-ever draft pick from Boise State, which has never had a first-round selection, is a foregone conclusion.

Can he be the highest-ever draft pick from Eisenhower High is a better question? Ronnie Lott was selected at No. 8 by the San Francisco 49ers in 1981.

"I've had multiple conversations with (Miami Dolphins' boss Bill) Parcells about the first pick," Dye said. "I'm not saying they're going to do it, but the fact that he's being discussed in that realm tells you how people think about him."

All of which leads to the newest dilemma for Clady. One that Sonya, who could not be missed in her No. 79 Bronco jersey at pro day, already admits is getting her nervous: How to handle the draft party?

Clady might be invited to New York for the draft, an honor typically reserved for players expected to be picked in the top 10. Will he go?

"I haven't ruled it out completely, but I kind of don't want to be a part of that whole atmosphere," Clady said. "I want to lay low and just hang out with family and friends."

It is a great problem to have.

And one that shouldn't keep anybody up at night.

(Courtesy of 9iner )

DATE
SCHOOL
NOTES
Feb 28
Toledo, Ball State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International
Toledo OT John Greco ran the 40 in under 5.2 seconds after timing in the5.3 rane at the combine in front of scouts from 7 NFL teams.
Feb 29
Miami
As many as 50 NFL people watched as Miami DE Calais was unable to significantly better 5.06 combie 40 time; MLB Tavares Gooden ran in the low 4.5 range; FS Kenny Phillips rested on 4.48 combine 40 time.
March 3
Army, Sam Houston State

March 4
Minnesota, North Carolina, Troy
Minnesota WR Ernie Wheelwright measured in at 6-5, 219 and ran the 40 in 4.52, while SS Dom Barber timed in 4.58; UNC DT Kyndraus Guy weighed in at 6-2, 306 and benched an impressive 35 reps.
March 5
Wisconsin, Kentucky; Indiana, UNLV, East Carolina, Buffalo, Eastern Kentucky
UK QB Andre' Woodson reportedly had a strong workout n front of reps from 25 teams; Woodson ran a respectable 4.82 40 and threw the ball with authority all day; Woodson also appeared to have altered his motion allowing him to get rid of the ball quicker. UK WR Steve Johnson ran a 4.46 40. UK RB Rafael Little was not able to participate after undergoing knee surgery earlier in the week. UNLV LB Beau Bell also couldn't work out because of an injury suffered at the Senior Bowl and will hold a private workout on March 31st. Wisconsin WR Paul Hubbard reportedly ran a 4 in the low 4.4 range after posting a 4.5 at the combine; Hubbard also had a 39.5" VL; fellow WR Luke Swan posted good numbers in both the vertical jump (38.5") and the 20-yard shuttle (4.02), but didn't run the 40 as he hasn't fully recovered from a season-ending torn hamstring suffered in October. Swan hopes to run at a private workout set for March 31.
March 6
Missouri; UConn, Northwestern; Texas Christian, New Mexico; Nevada, Eastern Michigan; Ohio; Delaware, Western Kentucky, Southern Utah
TCU DE Tommy Blake had a decent performance at the Horned Frogs‘ pro day workout yesterday. Blake, who was diagnosed with depression and social anxiety disorder this past season, weighed in at 272 pounds, down from the out-of-shape 287 he registered at the Shrine game earlier this year. Blake ran a hand-held time of 4.75 in the 40, had 23 reps pressing 225-pounds and had a 30.5 VL, each of which would have put him among the leaders at the position at the combine. Fellow TCU DE Chase Ortiz ran a 4.92 in the 40 and had a 31“ VL. DB Brian Bonner ran a 4.60 in the 40-yard dash and a 34-inch VL, while DB David Roach had a 38.5 vertical jump, but stood on his 40 time (4.53) and bench press (16 reps) numbers from the combine. After running a very quick 4.37 40 at the combine in Indianapolis last month, Mssouri WR Will Franklin had a VL of 40.5 inches and a standing broad jump of 10-11 yesterday. Missouri CB Darnell Terrell ran a 4.47 40 and reportedly had some scouts wondering if he could play WR. New Mexico WR Travis Brown reportedly was able to improve on a somewhat disappointing 4.65 40 time at the combine, running in the 4.5 range at the Lobos’ pro day. Lobo WR Marcus Smith also reportedly time in the low 4.5 range, while OT Devin Clark got under 5.3 seconds in the 40 after timing closer to 5.4 at the combine. Delaware QB Joe Flacco didn’t do any of the physical tests, but threw the ball for about 30 minutes in front of over 20 NFL personnel people and reportedly did nothing to hurt his status as one of the top QBs in this year’s draft class as he showed the arm strength and accuracy to make all the throws. RB Omar Cuff ran the 40 in just over 4.5 seconds at 5-10, 200.
March 7
Ohio State, Purdue, Arizona State, South Florida, UTEP, SMU, San Diego,
Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston had another athletic performance at the Buckeye’s pro day. Gholston reportedly ran the 40 in under 4.60 seconds and had a personal-best 42-inch VL. Meanwhile, 6-5, 311-pound OT Kirk Barton posted a 40-time of under 5.00 with at least one team clocking him as low as 4.93. OSU LB Larry Grant ran the 40 in the low 4.6 range after posting a somewhat disappointing 4.71 at the combine. Arizona State RB Ryan Torain ran the 40 in around 4.50 seconds, while WR Rudy Burgess clocked in around 4.45 and CB Justin Tryon stopped the clock in around 4.50 seconds, DT Marquel Marquardt ran around 5.00 and OT Brandon Rodd was close to 5.10. Purdue LB Stanford Keglar was able to build on a solid combine in which he was among the top LBs in a number of drills, improved his vertical jump from 34 to 39 inchs and ran an unofficial 4.55 in the 40. Meanwhile, WR Dorien Bryant improved his 40 time marginally from 4.51 at the combine to around 4.45 at the Boilermakers' pro day. UTEP WR Lorne Sam did 23 reps pressing 225 pounds and reportedly ran the 40 in around 4.55 seconds, about the same time posted by Miners' RB Marcus Thomas. South Florida CB Trae Williams improved his 40 time marginally from the combine by running a 4.48 at the USF pro day comparted with 4.51 at the combine. Fellow CB Mike Jenkins did not run the 40 after blazing a 4.38 at the combine. USF Ben Moffitt, who also didn't run at the combne )hamstring) posted a solid time of 4.60 seconds with more than 30 NFL scouts and coaches looking on; Moffitt also registered an impressive 37.5" VL; if there is a knock on Moffitt it's that he weighs just 224 pounds. About 20 teams - including head coaches Norv Turner of San Diego and Carolina's John Fox - were in San Diego to check out USD QB Josh Johnson. And Johnson reportedly threw the ball much better than he did at the combine where he had bothered by back spasms after recording the fastest 40-yard time of any QB present.
March 8
Arizona, San Diego State

March 10
Auburn; Central Michigan, North Texas; Grand Valley State, Northwest Missouri State, Southern, Murray State

March 11
Oklahoma, California; Kansas; Tennessee; Troy (2), Bowling Green; Western Michigan; Alabama A&M: Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Central Arkansas, Delaware State, Indiana (Pa), Tarleton State, Weber State; Liberty

March 12
Alabama, Mchigan State, Illinois; Nebraska; Oklahoma State, BYU, Tulane, Hofstra, Towson, Portland State; Central Oklahoma

March 13
West Virginia; Oregon, UCLA, Maryland; Georgia Tech; Tulsa, Nebraska-Omaha; Ferris State, Clark Atlantic; Jacksonville State; Hampton, Samford

March 14
Michigan; Oregon State, Washington; Clemson, Rice; Alabama State; Abilene Christian

March 15
Furman; Wagner
Newberry OT Heath Benedict and DL Brandon Jones will workout at Furman
March 16


March 17
Air Force, Alabama-Birmingham, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, UT-Chattanooga, Western Carolina, William&Mary

March 18
Florida; Georgia; Penn State, Boston College; Virginia, Boise State; McNeese State, Mississippi Valley State
BC QB Matt Ryn to workout
March 19
Texas, Notre Dame; North Carolina State; Akron; New Mexico State, Brown, Delta State, James Madison

March 20
Virginia Tech; Central Florida; Oregon (2), Missouri (2), Middle Tennessee; Albany State, Northwestern State, Texas State

March 21
Vanderbilt, San Jose State, Tennessee State

March 22
Eastern Illinois

March 23


March 24
Iowa; Pittsburgh, Appalachian State, Jackson State

March 25
Arkansas, Mississippi State, Wake Forest; South Dakota State; Carson-Newman

March 26
LSU; South Carolina; Iowa State; Rutgers, UConn (2); Catawba
LSU DT Glenn Dorsey to workout
March 27
Virginia Tech (2); UMass; Georgia Southern

March 28
Coastal Carolina

March 29


March 30


March 31


April 1
Hawaii, North Carolina (2)

April 2
Southern California

New #1 town??? If the buzz around the NFL this past weekend is to be believed, Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston is challenging Virginia DE Chris Long for the top grade at the position for the 2008 draft and could even begin to get some consideration to be the first player off the board this coming April after a strong combine and an even stronger pro day workout on Friday. At the combine, for example, Gholston ran the 40 in 467 seconds at 266 pounds, posted a remarkable 37 reps pressing 225 pounds and had a 35.5-inch vertical leap. Gholston then improved his 40-time to the low 4.6 range at the OSU and ripped off an athletic 42-inch vertical leap. In fact, because of his unique combination of strength and quickness, Gholston may also be very attractive as a potential 3-4 pass-rush OLB.

There was a full house at Auburn on Monday where the Tigers held their annual pro day workout. Included among the attendees were head coaches Mike Tomlin of Pittsburgh and Marvin Lewis of Cincinnati. One of the most-watched players at the Auburn workout was DE Quentin Groves, not so much for his base numbers, but whether he how he did in LB drills. The 257-pound Groves had run a very quick 4.57 second 40 at the combine and stood on those numbers, but did positional drills at both LB and DE. In fact, for the most part, Auburn’s top prospects for the 2008 draft including Groves, DT Pat Sims and CB Patrick Lee did mostly positional work on Monday. Players that did the physical tests included CB Jonathan Wilhite, who ran a 4.42 40 and posted a 35-inch vertical leap, while safety Eric Brock ran a 4.7 40, TE Cole Bennett ran a 4.8 40 at 255 pounds; FB Carl Stewart ran a 4.69 40; and stumpy NT - he weighed in at 305 at under 6 feet - Josh Thompson ran a somewhat slow 5.35, but did 35 reps pressing 225 pounds. Workouts continue on Tuesday with one of the busiest days on the on-campus workout schedule with over 15 pro days on tap including workouts at Oklahoma, Tennesse, California, and Kansas.

Nebraska OT Carl Nicks and WR Maurice Purify were among 5 Cornhuskers were ticketed by police at a raucous house party over the weekend. Police arrested Nicks, one of the top prospects at the position for the upcoming draft, on suspicion of being an inmate of a disorderly house and failure to disperse after he wouldn’t leave. Purify’s ticket could be more damaging as he is already on probation for an arrest last summer and needed to make a good impression on NFL personnel with the league’s draft next month. Purify is on probation for misdeeds prior to his senior season last year: an assault, disturbing the peace, interrupting arrest and DUI. In January, prosecutors reopened the case on a motion to revoke his probation after he was accused of driving on a suspended license in October.

Does anyone know anything about that FB Carl Stewart? He is putting up some very good numbers for a FB. Has anyone seen him play?

Go Huskers!!!

I watched him some. Living in SC and getting my fair share of SEC games. We played Auburn in SC (Williams-Brice) in 2006 and all the hoopla about Irons returning and proving himself SC made a mistake with Demetruis Summers, yada yada yada ... Gamecock fans could'nt keep their eyes out of the backfeild. (We did'nt play them in 2007.)

He was a good blocker on the College level, he blocked with authority. Really hitting the holes hard and blowing guys up. When the balls in his hands, he's a North South power runner. Not going to juke you out of your cleats, he'd rather run over you. Decent straight line speed IMO but not when making cuts or moves which is probably why he's been playing the blocking back for Kenny Irons and Ben Tate the last two Seasons. Solid receiver out of the backfeild, strong runner who you very rarely see go down after first contact.

Scouting Report: Carl Stewart, RB, Auburn
By Staff Report | February 15th, 2008



Carl Stewart is another back that might be going into the combine as a running back and coming out something else. The senior from Auburn is not as big as most fullbacks in the NFL are, but he has the power and explosiveness to do the job at that position. He might need to work on his blocking at the next level, but as far as catching the ball from the back field he is as good as you can have at that size. He has a lot of good qualities and some bad ones. He is neither the prototype fullback nor running back, but he is a football player.

Scouting Report

Pros: In the right system, with some time, he could develop into a player that can contribute to the offense of a team.

Cons: Has to overcome a lot of doubts about his toughness. He is not going to break away from tacklers and not going to break away in speed.

Overall: I think if Stewart does make it on a team you will see him as the blocking back more than the carrying one. He might be used out of the back field to catch some and maybe as a change of pace, but if there is a future for him it is as a fullback.