Yes. You are.
College pro days are continuing to heat up. Some bigger name schools are starting to work out their players, and a few possible first rounders got a second chance to show what they can do over the last couple of days. Here’s the news:
Arkansas — C Jonathan Luigs measured in at 6-03 3/4 and 300 pounds. That’s about it as far as Arkansas goes. Seriously, there is nothing more to see there. I’ve been.
Colorado — DT George Hypolite, once a sure fire draftable player, is smaller than I thought. He measured in at 6-00 7/8 and 299 pounds. He ran a 5.04 and a 5.05 40, while posting a 32 inch VERT and an 8-10 BROAD. His short shuttle was 4.72, his three cone was 7.66. But his most impressive number was the 32 reps he put up on the bench. Still, those are inflated due to his short arms, and the thin mountain air which provides less resistance on the bar. I’m kidding.
Colorado St — TE Kory Sperry stood pat on his combine numbers, but measured in at 6-04 5/8 and 244 pounds. He looked very fluid in position drills, and was the talk of this workout. RB Gartrell Johnson made himself more attractive by running a 4.67 40. Which may get him drafted, but it’s never a good thing when a running back can claim a 4.67 was a vast improvement. Still, watching film of his bowl game makes you think he plays much faster.
Georgia Tech — DE Michael Johnson had a whale of a pro day. He measured in at 6-06 7/8 and 266 pounds. His 40 times were more in line with what I expected from him at the combine, posting a 4.61 and a 4.63. He looked extremely fluid in both line and linebacker drills. His 23 reps were impressive considering his arm length and the fact that most scouts would have you believe that Johnson has never worked a day in his life. He also had a 7.42 cone drill time. DT Vance Walker didn’t participate in anything, but still weight 304 pounds. DT Darryl Richard 6-02.5 297 and weighed 297 pounds. He put up 19 reps (not that good) and had a 26 inch VERT. OT Andrew Gardner measured 6-06 1/4 309 and ran a 4.96 40. He also had a 30.5 inch VERT and an 8-11 BROAD. I’m not sure why he isn’t garnering a little more attention. Although he was worked out by a Steelers O line coach.
Oklahoma — S/OLB/Parade Marshall Nic Harris continued with his strange decision to “walk like an Egyptian” through the 40 yard dash. He posted two consecutive 4.83 times. That is just awful. On the bright side it looked as if he can backpedal as quickly as he can run. I guess that’s something. Plus, he did run a 4.23 short shuttle, which is more in line with top linebacker times. Unfortunately, he worked out as a safety despite the fact that he will be a weakside linebacker in the NFL if anything. OT Phil Loadholt is back on the rise after looking very fluid in position drills and continuing to be just enormous. His 4.77 short shuttle was great along with his 26 reps on the bench considering he had the second longest arms at the combine. OG Duke Robinson stood on his 40 from the combine, but I wasn’t that impressed with his 20 reps on the bench. Still, he is the top guard by default, and he plays better than his workout numbers. A 5.0 short shuttle wasn’t awful. C Jon Cooper is on the small side at 6-02.5 and 290 pounds, but he put up a whopping 32 reps on the bench. That speaks to his strength and ability to drive much bigger defenders off the ball. WR Juaquin Iglesias also kept his numbers from the combine, but looked very natural catching the ball, and I believe he can be a solid number two, if not a number one, WR at the next level. He is moving up the board in my mind after watching film. Also, Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress was on hand, which could mean he is targeting Loadholt as a first round possibility to fill the Vikes’ need for a right tackle. He probably also has his eye on Cooper as a late round replacement for departed center Matt Birk.
Syracuse — FB Tony Fiametta kept his 40 time from Indy, but did measure in a 6-00 1/4 242 pounds and ran a 4.33 short shuttle and a 7.03 three cone drill.
Tulsa — QB David Johnson was 6-01.5 219 pounds. He ran a 4.93 40 with the wind and a 4.44 short shuttle. Steelers defensive assistant worked him out in passing drills and said he looked pretty good. Still, I don’t see Johnson as anything more than a potential free agent. He will likely struggle to make it in the NFL due to his limited arm strength and college system. Who knows though. He’s almost as fast as “safety” Nic Harris.
Utah — CB Brice McCain was certainly not the biggest name at Utah’s pro day, but he may have been the most impressive. His 40 times of 4.33 and 4.34 seconds would have blown away the corners at the combine. He’s only 5-09 181 pounds, but he looked great in position drills and jumped 36.5 inches in the VERT and had a 10-3 BROAD. CB/S Sean Smith looked good as well, running a 4.47 and a 4.49. His quick hips are especially impressive considering he stands 6-03.5 and 209 pounds. He had a 32 inch VERT and a 9-05 BROAD. DE Paul Kruger stood at 6-04.5 260 pounds and ran a 4.80 and a 4.79. His VERT was 32 inches and his BROAD was 9-01. He also put up 22 reps. QB Brian Johnson is an underrated guy in my eyes. He won’t wow anyone with 4.88 and 4.89 40 times, but he is quicker than he runs, and the guy flat out won ball games. I think he can be a reliable back up, no problem. Someone should pick him up in free agency. K Louie Sakoda kicked off for teams but didn’t do any drills.
Western Michigan — S Louis Delmas drew DB coaches from Jacksonville, New Orleans, Carolina, and two from Detroit. He looked like the top safety in position drills and stood pat on the rest of his numbers from the combine.
Central Washington — QB Mike Reilly ran impressive 4.74 and 4.75 40s and was pretty accurate in throwing drills. He could hear his name called in the seventh, very unlikely but possible sixth, rounds. He was 6-03 212 pounds. TE Jared Bronson is likely another draftable guy from the school and measured in at 6-03 7/8 and 254 pounds. He had a 33 inch VERT, benched 22 reps, and had a 9-8 BROAD. He kept his combine 40 time.
