NFP Pro Day Report 4

FROM WES BUNTING:

Over the next few weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, the National Football Post will break down and analyze prospects’ pro days at their respective colleges. Scouts recently visited Oregon, Boston College, Texas Tech, Kentucky, Michigan, Kansas State, Purdue, Arizona and West Virginia.

Click HERE for Pro Day Report 1

Click HERE for Pro Day Report 2

Click HERE for Pro Day Report 3

Oregon

OT Fenuki Tupou (6-5, 313) ran his 40 in a time of 5.20 seconds and completed the short shuttle in 4.85 seconds. He’s slimmed down since the end of the season, and I can now possibly see his name coming off the board as early as the second round.

SS Patrick Chung (5-11, 209) was the real standout at Oregon’s pro day and looked impressive during position drills. He displayed good footwork and balance and could end up being the first safety off the board in April.

C Max Unger stood on all his times from the NFL Combine.

RB Jeremiah Johnson (5-9, 213) ran a 4.57 40 and a 4.26 short shuttle drill. His lack of elite top-end speed is obvious on tape, but he has the body control and quickness to make opponents miss and gain initial separation with an impressive first step.

The surprise of the day was the workout by DE/LB Nick Reed (6-2, 245), who ran a 4.71 40 and had a 31½-inch vertical jump. Reed was tremendously productive (13 sacks) last season but is being viewed at an array of positions in the NFL, including defensive end, outside linebacker, inside linebacker and even fullback.

Boston College

DT B.J. Raji stood on all his numbers from the Combine and was impressive during position drills. He looks to have assured himself a spot in the top 10.

Raji’s partner in crime last season, DT Ron Brace (6-3, 331), did little to improve his 40 time (5.51). However, he looked good in position drills, and in a nose tackle-starved draft class, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Brace come off the board at the end of round one.

A trio of Boston College linebackers did well for themselves in the 40 as LB Robert Francois (6-2, 244) ran a 4.59, LB Kevin Akins (6-2, 219) ran a 4.73 and LB Brian Toal (6-0, 228) ran a 4.65. Toal drew the most praise for his workout and is starting to generate some interest. The undersized linebacker is also being looked at as a possible safety or fullback prospect and has the overall athletic ability to warrant a late-round grade.

TE Ryan Purvis struggled during his workout, as the 6-4, 254-pounder ran his 40 in a time of 4.95 seconds and registered only 19 reps on the bench.

Texas Tech

DE Brandon Williams (6-3, 254) significantly lowered his 4.96 40 time at the Combine to a more respectable 4.78. For a defensive end who relies so much on his first step, this kind of improvement was needed to help stabilize his draft stock.

FS Darcel McBath is continuing to move up draft boards. The 6-1, 200 pound safety ran a 4.53 40, recorded 17 reps on the bench and posted a 10-foot broad jump.

QB Graham Harrell struggled a bit during position drills as he continues to get used to the footwork needed to take snaps under center. Harrell is a bit scheme-limited at the next level, although he showcases the timing and accuracy to become a potential starter once he gets comfortable with his footwork in his drop.

Kentucky

DT Myron Pryor (6-1, 313) finished his workout with 24 reps on the bench and elected to stand on the rest of his numbers from the Combine.

OLB Johnny Williams (6-1, 236) ran his 40 in 4.74 seconds and posted a 35-inch vertical. Williams is an OLB/rush end tweener who plays with good leverage and possesses an explosive first step off the edge.  He could end up seeing his name called toward the end of the draft.

Michigan

DT Terrance Taylor (6-0, 311) ran a 5.08 40, an impressive time for someone his size.

DT Will Johnson (6-4, 281) posted a remarkable 47 reps on the bench press and an impressive 5.07 40 time. He definitely caused a buzz at the Michigan pro day and should sign with a team soon after the draft.

DE Tim Jamison (6-3, 260) ran a pedestrian 4.99 40 and lacks the burst to be any kind of threat off the edge at the next level.

Purdue

DT Alex Magee (6-2, 286) ran his 40 in a time of 4.82 and posted a 4.42-second short shuttle and a 7.15-second three-cone drill. Magee is one of the more versatile defensive linemen in this year’s draft and should see his name come off the board during the third/fourth round.

RB Kory Sheets stood on all his times from the Combine except his short shuttle, in which he posted a time of 4.33 seconds.

QB Curtis Painter (6-3, 223) had a solid workout and threw the ball with better zip and velocity than scouts anticipated. As a junior, he was considered one of the nation’s top QB prospects but dropped off last season because of injuries. Painter has the talent to end up making a roster out of training camp and possibly starting down the line.

LB Anthony Heygood (6-1, 225) posted an impressive 4.67 40 time and a 33½-inch vertical jump.

Kansas State

QB Josh Freeman measured in at a massive 6-6, 252 pounds but was said to carry his weight well. He looked sharp during position drills and displayed a strong arm. The ball absolutely jumps out of his hand, and I expect him to be drafted some time during the mid-first round because of his impressive skill set and the lack of quarterback talent behind him.

Arizona

OT Eben Britton drew quite a crowd at the Arizona pro day as around 50 scouts showed up to watch him. Britton (6-6, 310) did well during position drills and looks like one of the nation’s most polished technicians at the offensive tackle position.

WR Mike Thomas (5-9, 193) continues to impress as he displayed good hands and quickness during his workout and posted 16 reps on the bench. In my mind, he’s the top slot receiver in the draft.

QB Willie Tuitama (6-3, 234) posted a 40 time in the low 5.0 range but looked a lot more athletic during position drills. Tuitama threw the ball well and displayed good accuracy, especially outside the pocket. He has a lot of untapped potential in his game and reminds me a bit of Jaguars QB David Garrard.

West Virginia

QB Pat White (6-0, 202) stood on all his numbers from the Combine and only threw at his pro day. The workout was said to go well, but some scouts were more interested in seeing White run routes as a receiver than watching him throw again. However, I love White’s desire to play quarterback and his ability to consistently prove his doubters wrong. There’s a certain mental toughness I love to see when scouting quarterbacks, and White certainly has it.

OLB Mortty Ivy (6-2, 239) clocked in with a much improved 4.78 40 time (compared to 4.88 at the Combine) and posted a 28½-inch vertical jump and 17 reps on the bench.

Offensive linemen Greg Isdaner (6-4, 324) and Ryan Stanchek (6-4, 298) ran their 40s in the low 5.3 range, while Stanchek recorded 29 reps on the bench.

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