Tag: pro day

March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Quarterback Ty Simpson throws during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.

Alabama, Ohio State pro days draw decision-makers by the dozen

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Decision-makers flocked to Columbus for Ohio State’s annual pro day on Wednesday with more than a dozen general managers and head coaches confirmed in attendance to see the Buckeyes strut their stuff.

A flex for the pro pipeline developed by head coach Ryan Day and his well-paid coaching staff, the Buckeyes are on target to approach their record of 14 players drafted in 2025 and have at least four players projected to be selected in the first round next month.

New York was extremely well-represented with head coach and general manager combinations for the Jets and Giants front and center. The Jets own the second overall pick and general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn were in attendance, as were Giants head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen. The Giants have the No. 5 pick.

Harbaugh had significant face time with linebacker Sonny Styles and caught up with Arvell Reese, a versatile linebacker who participated in defensive line drills on Wednesday. The Giants also visited with safety Caleb Downs and could have interest in wide receiver Carnell Tate.

The Jets are expected to select a quarterback at some point in the draft and sent members of the staff to Tuscaloosa for quarterback Ty Simpson’s pro day at Alabama. Simpson said he has a private workout with the Jets scheduled for Friday. They also hold the 16th overall pick.

The Cleveland Browns did not attend the campus pro day but already have hosted Simpson for a top-30 visit, as have the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals.

Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor drew a huge crowd for his short shuttle and completed workouts with offensive linemen and tight ends. The projected top-20 pick can squat over 800 pounds with a max bench press of 535 all with a wing span of 81 5/8 inches. He measured 6-6 5/8, 352 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine but moved with ease and explosiveness at Wednesday’s pro day.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was the only confirmed GM at Alabama’s pro day.

Simpson is ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the draft behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers hold their pro day on April 1. He threw to wide receivers Rico Scott, Ryan Coleman-Williams, Germie Bernard and Noah Rogers. Coleman-Williams dropped a deep ball with a late adjustment in an otherwise pristine — and well-rehearsed — session. Bernard is ranked as a top 10 wide receiver in the deep 2026 class and could be selected in the top 50 overall.

A one-year starter who replaced Jalen Milroe as Alabama’s QB1 in 2025, Simpson gave up his final year of eligibility to enter the draft.

“I’m tough, I’m resilient, I love football and I want to make people better,” Simpson said of what he’s telling teams who ask why they should draft him. “When I come into your program, I’m a program-changer. I don’t just make myself better, I make other people better.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter (DL44) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Abdul Carter not working out at Penn State’s pro day

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Pass rusher Abdul Carter will not participate in Penn State’s pro day on Friday, his agent confirmed Thursday.

Carter, likely the first defensive player selected in next month’s NFL Draft, still is recovering from an injury.

“He is still finishing up rehab on the shoulder injury he had from the Boise State game,” agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN. “He may still do a workout for teams sometime in mid-April.”

In addition to the shoulder injury sustained in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Dec. 31, tests at the NFL Scouting Combine last month revealed a stress reaction in his right foot. He opted against surgery for the foot injury.

A consensus All-America selection and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, Carter had 68 tackles, including 23.5 for loss to lead the FBS, plus 12 sacks and two forced fumbles in 16 games.

Carter, a former linebacker who moved this season to defensive end, had 172 career tackles — 41 for loss — along with 23 sacks and five forced fumbles in 42 games for Penn State the past three seasons.

Carter has visited with the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, who hold the top two picks, respectively, in the April 24-26 draft. He met with the New York Giants, owners of the No. 3 pick, at the Combine.

–Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State quarterback Jayden Daniels (QB01) talks to the media during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jayden Daniels will only throw at LSU’s pro day

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More than 100 NFL coaches, general managers and other staff members are expected Wednesday at LSU’s pro day, but they will have a limited view of one of the day’s stars, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.

NFL Network reported Daniels, a projected top five pick in next month’s NFL draft, will throw only and will not participate in any other drills. He did not throw at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month.

Team officials also have been lured to Baton Rouge to see All-American Malik Nabers and fellow wide receiver Brian Thomas, who led the nation with 17 touchdown receptions. Both are expected to be picked in the first round.

Daniels, 23, completed 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards with 40 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2023. He also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 scores.

–Field Level Media

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams (QB14) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Williams greeted by Bears WR Keenan Allen at pro day

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Quarterback Caleb Williams had a lot of eyes on him during Southern California’s pro day on Wednesday in Los Angeles, including those of new Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen.

Allen’s attendance is noteworthy considering Williams is the presumptive favorite to be selected by the Bears with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft next month.

The two shared a quick embrace on the sideline Wednesday. If the Bears select Williams with the top overall pick on April 25 in Detroit, well, they’ll be spending even more time together.

“Hell of an athlete,” Allen said of Williams earlier this week. “Obviously, he can make tremendous plays with his feet, with his arm. Looks like he knows the game really well. Really good.”

Williams was quick to return the compliment on Wednesday.

“I’ve known Keenan for a little bit now, hung out,” Williams said, per NBC Sports Chicago. “He was at the Chargers. Now he’s at the Bears, he’s here for a fourth-round pick, which is crazy. He’s a beast, a good guy, and he can give you a lot of knowledge.”

Speaking of conversations, Bears general manager Ryan Poles was spotted talking with Caleb’s father, Carl, at the pro day, per the Chicago Tribune. Assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, head coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph also were in attendance on behalf of the Bears.

The Bears are in need of a starting quarterback after trading 2021 first-round selection Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. That pick could become a fourth-rounder if Fields plays at least 50 percent of the snaps for Pittsburgh.

Williams, 22, passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games last season. Those statistics are one year removed from his Heisman Trophy-winning season in 2022, when he threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five picks. He also rushed for 21 scores in his two seasons with the Trojans after transferring from Oklahoma.

Allen, who turns 32 on April 27, was selected to his sixth Pro Bowl in 2023 when he had a career-high 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games.

–Field Level Media

Jul 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. lifts during a summer workout at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center prior to the start of fall camp.

Marvin Harrison Jr. skipping pro day at Ohio State

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Marvin Harrison Jr. is skipping pro day at Ohio State on Wednesday, Sports Illustrated reported.

Expected to be the No. 1 wide receiver selected in the 2024 NFL Draft next month, Harrison met with nine teams at the NFL Scouting Combine and asked whether they wanted to see him in a pro day workout, per the report. All said no.

Harrison did not work out at the Combine, either, and is continuing to train in Columbus, Ohio, for his NFL career.

Harrison spent three seasons at Ohio State and caught 155 passes for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns. He set the Buckeyes’ career record with 15 100-yard receiving games.

He was a back-to-back All-American in 2022 and 2023 and a Heisman Trophy finalist last year.

–Field Level Media

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia draws NFL evaluators in droves for pro day

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All 32 teams were represented at the annual Georgia Pro Day in Athens, Ga., with evaluators in town for a close-up with more than a dozen Bulldogs prospects expected to be under consideration during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan, Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce were among the pro football dignitaries on the field on the first day of the NFL league year on Wednesday.

Several NFL teams had larger contingents on hand. The Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals sent multiple scouts and position coaches.

Eight total prospects produced by the Bulldogs were selected in the first round the past two years, including No. 1 pick Travon Walker to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, the ninth pick in the 2023 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Georgia has produced six top-10 draft picks since 2015 (running back Todd Gurley, Rams) and Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers is projected as a potential top-10 pick in April.

Bowers, offensive tackle Amarius Mims, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, center Sedrick Van Pran, safeties Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard and running back Kendall Milton are all expected to be drafted by the fourth round of the 2024 draft.

Fifteen total Georgia prospects were selected in the 2022 and 2023 drafts.

–Field Level Media

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a NCAA college football game against UAB in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Georgia TE Brock Bowers could delay 40, workout to pro day

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INDIANAPOLIS — Georgia tight end Brock Bowers unquestionably is expected to run into the NFL as a first-round pick, but he’s leaning toward staying on the sideline during the NFL Scouting Combine.

The All-American projected as a top-10 draft pick, Bowers plans to make a decision on participating in on-field workouts and athletic testing with his position group before they take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday.

“We’ll see. If not tomorrow, definitely on Pro Day,” Bowers said Thursday morning. “We’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow. Just a personal fit.”

The first back-to-back Mackey Award Winner (2022, 2023) given to the top tight end in college football, Bowers had 31 touchdowns (five rushing) in three seasons at Georgia. In 40 career games, he hauled in 175 receptions for 2,538 yards.

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is the player Bowers said he grew up watching most. He also studied film of dozens of NFL tight ends during his time at Georgia, where he lined up in the slot, as a traditional tight end and even in the backfield as a running back.

“I loved watching Gronk. He’s kind of like a huge role model for me looking at him growing up. And watching (George) Kittle and (Travis) Kelce,” he said.

If Bowers keeps scouts and general managers waiting for his 40 time and position workout that most expect to be stellar, he’s aware the league might return the favor on draft night. Not out of spite, but Bowers can expect to be monitoring his phone as the pecking order is sorted out at quarterback and wide receiver before he’s selected.

Even so, when he goes on draft night isn’t as vital to Bowers as where he winds up.

“I just want to go to a place I’m wanted and be used and hopefully have a good rookie season,” Bowers said.

During what is a return trip to Indianapolis and the stadium where Georgia won the national title by beating Alabama in 2022, Bowers underwent multiple X-rays and MRI exams that team medical staffs will read to sign off on recovery from previous injuries. Bowers missed a month of the 2023 season recovering from ankle surgery but said he’s fully healthy.

With uncertainty around when he could be drafted, Bowers said he already met with at least 15 teams, recalling formal interviews took place with the Bears, Bengals, Broncos, Colts and met with the Titans, a team that piqued his interest.

“That’s a cool place to live, Nashville, Tennessee,” Bowers said with a smile.

If Bowers opts not to work out at the combine, Georgia’s pro day is an annual must-stop for all 32 teams and is scheduled for March 13.

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of the Big 12 Conference logo on the field after the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Oklahoma Sooners at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Big 12 schools to hold conference-wide pro day in 2024

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The Big 12 and the NFL will debut the Big 12 Pro Day in 2024, which will assemble the pro hopefuls in one spot for “state of the art medical and player skill assessments.”

The conference and NFL announced the event in a news release issued Wednesday.

The inaugural event will be held next spring at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. It will replace the individual on-campus pro days and will include a job fair and “non-football career networking opportunities for Big 12 student-athletes,” per the release.

It will be closed to the public, though the public may attend the adjacent Big 12 Fan Fest and watch NFL Network’s coverage from outside the facility.

“The first-of-its-kind Big 12 Pro Day will provide our student-athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent and skill as they turn their NFL dreams into reality,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said. “Through this partnership with the NFL, Big 12 student-athletes will receive national media exposure across NFL Network and NFL Media platforms. We are thrilled to partner with the NFL to host this Pro Day, and we look forward to creating a special experience for our student-athletes.”

The Big 12 will expand from 10 to 14 teams for the 2023 season as BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF join the league.

Texas and Oklahoma will depart the conference before the start of the 2024-25 academic year and join the Southeastern Conference.

–Field Level Media

Mar 4, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan defensive lineman David Ojabo (DL36) talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Michigan’s David Ojabo tore Achilles at pro day

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Michigan edge rusher David Ojabo sustained a torn Achilles during his pro day workout, multiple media outlets reported Saturday.

Per ESPN, Ojabo is expected to return to play in approximately six months. A September return means he would miss the first few weeks of the regular season.

Ojabo, who is regarded as a potential first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, clutched his leg during a pass-rush drill and needed assistance to exit the field in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound junior took to Twitter to deliver a message to his fans.

“God got me!! ima be back stronger than ever (heart emoji) all part of my story,” he wrote.

Ojabo registered 11 sacks and five forced fumbles this season as the Wolverines advanced to the College Football Playoff.

Raised in Aberdeen, Scotland, Ojabo didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school after moving to the United States.

He did not appear in any games for Michigan as a freshman in 2019 and registered just one tackle in six games in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Mar 5, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan defensive lineman David Ojabo (DL36) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan’s David Ojabo injured leg at pro day workout

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Michigan edge rusher David Ojabo sustained an apparent left leg injury during his pro day workout on Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Ojabo, who is regarded as a potential first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, clutched his leg during a pass-rush drill and needed assistance to exit the field.

The severity of the injury was not immediately known.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound junior registered 11 sacks and five forced fumbles this season as the Wolverines advanced to the College Football Playoff.

Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Ojabo didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school after moving to the United States.

He did not appear in any games for Michigan as a freshman in 2019 and registered just one tackle in six games in 2020.

–Field Level Media