Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski, a player some analysts have projected as a possible first-rounder, did not work out at the school’s pro day on March 10 due to his recovery from a back injury.

Gronkowski is NFL analysts Mike Mayock’s second-rated tight end.

The back injury that cost Gronkowski his entire 2009 season has healed, but he is still working on his conditioning. He will work out on Saturday, March 27, one day after the pro day at nearby Arizona State.

While Gronkowski is Arizona’s premier prospect, there were 17 other players that did work out in front of fifteen NFL representatives. The players ran inside on AstroTurf and did position drills outside on grass.

Three noteworthy prospects included one up-and-comer, LB Vuna Tuihalamaka (6-foot 1/8, 230 pounds). Tuihalamaka, who was not at the NFL Scouting Combine, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.72 and 4.70 seconds, had a 33 1/2-inch vertical jump, 9-foot, 4-inch broad jump, 4.64-second short shuttle, 7.25-second three-cone drill and 18 bench press repetitions.

CB Devin Ross (5-foot-10 1/8, 183) and DT Earl Mitchell (6-1 1/4, 294) both participated in the combine, and kept most of those numbers. Ross did run a 4.66 and 4.63 in the 40-yard dash at the pro day and also did position drills. Mitchell, meanwhile, had a 33-inch vertical jump, 9-6 broad jump and 7.31 three-cone drill.

– Gil Brandt

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