Pro Days are going strong so far and with numerous players not testing at the Combine and others not being invited, there is plenty to gleam. Here are some highlights for testing and notes from various Pro Days over the past 3 weeks
Miami (OH) Pro Day
Safety/Linebacker Sterling Weatherford did not receive a Combine invite after a good Senior Bowl week. He showed up at his Pro Day and had an excellent workout that showcased his versatility and that he belongs on team’s draft boards. At 6’4, 224 pounds Weatherford ran a 4.57 with a 36” Vertical and 9’09” Broad Jump. He also went through LB and S drills to showcase that versatility. Teammate Dominique Robinson who was at the Combine continued to show his athleticism as well.
One Redhawk who did not do so hot was WR Jack Sorensen who ran a 4.71 40 time after coming in at 189 pounds. He is out of draftable consideration and likely a PFA.
Another player who worked out at the Redhawks Pro Day worth noting is Youngstown State TE Andrew Ogletree. He came in at 6’5 ⅜, 260 pounds running a 4.69 with a 35” Vertical and 10’04” Broad Jump. The big athletic TE is raw, but could be a late round pick or PFA.
Kansas Pro Day
The Jayhawks Pro Day doesn’t usually get much love, but LB Kyron Johnson absolutely balled out at his Pro Day. Coming in at 6’0 ⅜ and 231 pounds, Johnson ran a 4.36 40 time with a 39.5” Vertical. All are elite numbers that puts him in the late rounds of the draft as a high upside defender.
Wisconsin Pro Day
Wisconsin had a few non-Combine players put in good workouts.
CB Faion Hicks hit a 4.37 40 time with a 37.5” Vertical, 10’03” Broad with a great 3.94 Short Shuttle. The athletic corner has solid film as well and looked solid in drills at the Pro Day. He could be moving up draft boards into the early 3rd Day mix.
DL Matt Henningsen had an eye-popping Pro Day coming in at 6’3 289 pounds with a 37.5” Vertical and 9’11” Broad Jump. An agile defender who could fit in a 5-tech position, Henningsen becomes very intriguing late in the draft.
Arkansas Pro Day
One of the intriguing storylines out of the Arkansas pro day was stud WR Treylon Burks sitting on his 4.55 40 time from the Combine. Though he did other drills, many thought he would run the 40 again and improve his time.
This says that perhaps 4.55 was the best he could do and did not want to risk being slower. For many reports of a 4.40 or high 4.3 40 time, it is disappointing. Burks is still a first round WR, but not the elite option many thought.
UAB Pro Day
One intriguing late round or PFA TE is Gerritt Prince who came in at 6’4 ½ and 241 pounds running a 4.68 40 time. Prince was highly productive this year for UAB and shows the requisite athleticism needed to fit into an NFL team. Look for him to end up in an H-Back reserve role.
Ouachita Baptist Pro Day
One of my personal favorites in CB Gregory Junior got to showcase his athletic ability. A big bodied CB at 5’11 ⅞ and 203 pounds, Junior had a blazing 4.46 40 time. Add a 10’03” Broad and a 39.5” Vertical and Junior tested extremely well. After a less than stellar Senior Bowl, Junior is an intriguing developmental CB for the late rounds.
Pittsburgh Pro Day
QB Kenny Pickett’s hands got bigger at his Pro Day now at 8 ⅝. But, the bigger story was an incredible passing day throwing a full route tree and off platform passes with success. He didn’t miss a pass and the brass from teams like the Panthers, Eagles, and Steelers were all on hand to evaluate hm and look for their future franchise QB.
Pitt CB Damarri Mathis went wild at the Pro Day. Though I have ignored most Combine testers who were retesting, Mathis had some crazy numbers. He had a 43.5” Vertical, 11’01” Broad Jump and 4.18 Short Shuttle. The CB is on the rise as a potential early Day 3 pick.
Pitt TE Lucas Krull did not receive a Combine invite, but he also showed up at the Pro Day with big numbers. Coming in at 6’6 ⅛ and 253 pounds, Krull ran a 4.54 with a 35” Vertical, 10’00” Broad Jump and some solid agility times. Krull has a shot to be a late round pick with some athletic upside.
Liberty Pro Day
QB Malik Willis looked the part at his Pro Day flashing his big arm with some perfect down field throws as well. He flashed the arm talent and quickness that establishes him as one of the top QBs in this draft. The Steelers, Panthers, Lions, Giants, Falcons, Seahawks, and Ravens all had reps there to watch Willis, so he may be a hot target.
Texas A&M Pro Day
The Texas A&M Pro Day was generally a disaster, but TE Jalen Wydermyer may have completely tanked his stock to undraftable range. Coming in at 6’3 ⅞ and 255 pounds, Wydermyer ran a horrible 5.02 40 time with a bad 25.5” Vertical and 9’01” Broad Jump. These numbers are bottom tier for TE and means he is likely not athletic to be much of a contributor in the NFL.
RB Isaiah Spiller had a disappointing Pro Day after not working out at the Combine. A 4.63 40 time was less than impressive at 6’0 ⅜ and 217 pounds. Spiller has clearly sunk to the RB3 in the class and is a tier down from Iowa State’s Breece Hall and Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III.
Iowa State Pro Day
Iowa State TE Charlie Kolar was the surprise of the Cyclone Pro Day coming in at 6’6 ½ and 252 pounds while running a 4.67 40, 35.5” Vertical, 10’00” Broad Jump, and even a 6.98 3-cone. Kolar has been known as a blocking TE who didn’t do much after the catch, but his athleticism may show some real upside that he flashed early in his career. Expect Kolar to be in the Day 2 mix now.
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