Roundup of four small-school prospects

Four lesser-known prospects who could be late-round draft choices took part in workouts, hoping to impress NFL teams.

Wayne State (Mich.) cornerback Jeremy Jones (5-foot-9 1/2, 197 pounds) actually went through two different post-NFL Scouting Combine workouts for teams. First, Jones participated in a workout at Grand Valley State and then again at Wayne State. Jones — a member of the Division II runner-up Warriors — worked out for the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers while at Wayne State. The best times from two workouts in the 40-yard dash were 4.56 and 4.59 seconds. He ran a 4.25-second short shuttle and a 6.78-second three-cone drill. Jones stood on his vertical and broad jump efforts from the combine. He could be a fifth- or sixth-round draft choice.

Harvard’s Josue Ortiz (6-4 1/2, 253) worked out at Boston College’s pro day and displayed the speed and quickness that could make the defensive lineman as high as a seventh-round draft choice. Ortiz ran the 40 in 4.73 and 4.75 seconds, had a 38 1/2-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-9 broad jump, 7.19-second three-cone, 4.37 short shuttle, did 31 strength lifts of 225 pounds. Ortiz also has 33 5/8-inch arms.

Furman’s Ryan Steed worked out for eight teams, including a defensive backs coach from the Kansas City Chiefs. Steed worked out outdoors and on grass, which was wet, and athletes were slipping. It was not an ideal situation to impress teams. Steed (5-10 5/8, 190) ran the 40 three times: 4.55 with the wind, 4.59 and 4.62 against the wind. Steed posted a 7.13-second three-cone, and stood on his other numbers from the combine. Steed might be a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick, however, he was rated higher than that because people thought he was faster than he turned out to be.

Florida International’s T.Y. Hilton worked out on March 9, outdoors on FieldTurf, with 29 teams represented, including coaches from the Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins.

Hilton has also had personal visits with the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hilton, a WR/KR (5-9 7/8, 179), ran a 4.39-second 40 against the wind and then a 4.34-second 40 with the wind. He had a 35 1/2-inch vertical, 9-foot-11 broad jump, 4.36-second short shuttle, 7.03-second three-cone and did seven strength lifts. Hilton was having a good workout, but had to cut it short due to re-aggravating a quad injury.

Rounding up Coastal Carolina, UAB pro days

Representatives of 27 NFL teams attended the Coastal Carolina pro day on March 27 to watch CB Josh Norman run outdoors on grass. The weather was warm (65 degrees) but there was a crosswind of about 10 miles per hour.

Norman, CB, (6-foot-1/4, 190 pounds) — Norman, who was at the NFL Scouting Combine, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57, 4.62 and 4.64 seconds. Norman recorded a 4.53-second short shuttle and a 6.92-second three-cone. Three defensive backfield coaches were there. Norman has visited with the Patriots, Chiefs, Cowboys, Jets and Giants. He played very well in the East-West Shrine Game, especially in practice leading up to it. He projects as a sixth- or seventh-round pick.

Representatives from 11 teams were at the Alabama-Birmingham pro day March 5.

Matt McCants, OT, (6-5 3/8, 308) — McCants, who was at the combine, ran the 40-yard dash in 5.45 and 5.45 seconds. He recorded a 4.76-second short shuttle and an 8.13-second three-cone, but kept his vertical and broad jump from the combine. He projects as a seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent.

Rounding up Eastern Washington, Colorado pro days

Representatives from eight teams gathered at the Eastern Washington pro day March 7. Prospects worked out at the facility of the AFL’s Spokane Shock, where they ran on old AstroTurf, a less-than-ideal surface.

Matt Johnson, S, (6-foot-5/8, 211 pounds) — He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 and 4.54 seconds. Johnson recorded a 38-inch vertical, a 10-foot-1 broad jump, a 4.07-second short shuttle and a 6.84-second three-cone. He also threw the bar up 18 times. Johnson, a first-team All-American in 2010, suffered a biceps injury that knocked him out for much of the 2011 season. However, Johnson surprised many by recovering quickly enough to have a great workout at his pro day. Since then, seven teams have brought him in for visits, and the Dolphins, Seahawks, Colts and Giants worked him out personally.

Representatives from eight teams were at the Colorado pro day March 8 to watch prospects run in ideal conditions indoors on FieldTurf.

Ryan Miller, OG, (6-7 1/8, 318) — Miller, who kept all of the times and measurements that he recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine, conducted a position workout. Miller’s fellow offensive lineman Ethan Adkins worked out with him.

Toney Clemons, WR, (6-2 1/8, 210) — Clemons ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 and 4.46 seconds. He registered a 36-inch vertical, a 10-8 broad jump, a 4.33-second short shuttle and a 6.93-second three-cone. He also did 11 strength lifts. Clemons looked good catching the ball, with QB Tyler Hansen throwing to him.

Taylor Embree, WR, (6-3, 209) — Embree, a receiver from UCLA, worked out at Colorado because his father, Jon Embree, is the Buffaloes’ head coach. Embree did the broad jump and nothing else.

Rounding up Washington State, Idaho pro days

Representatives from seven NFL teams gathered at Washington State’s pro day on March 9.

David Gonzales, OT, (6-foot-5 3/4, 295 pounds) — Gonzales ran the 40-yard dash in 5.23 and 5.26 seconds. He had a 31 1/2-inch vertical, a 9-foot-4 broad jump, a 4.54-second short shuttle and a 7.50-second three-cone drill. His arms, which measure in at 31-5/8 inches, aren’t very long. He did 26 strength lifts. Gonzales has had visits with the Dolphins, Buccaneers and Seahawks. The Lions and Bucs conducted personal workouts with him.

Alex Hoffman-Ellis, LB, (6-1/2, 232) — He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 and 4.53 seconds. Hoffman-Ellis had a 36 1/2-inch vertical, a 9-11 broad jump, a 4.33-second short shuttle and a 7.09-second three-cone. He also did 36 strength lifts. Hoffman-Ellis was worked out by Bengals assistant coach Jonathan Hayes at the pro day. He worked out well and is set to visit the Raiders.

Representatives from 20 NFL teams were at Idaho’s pro day on March 20 to watch LB prospect Korey Toomer work out.

Toomer (6-2 1/4, 234) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 and 4.55 seconds. Toomer recorded a 42-inch vertical, a 10-foot-10 broad jump, a 4.00-second short shuttle and a 6.87-second three-cone. He also threw the bar up 20 times. Toomer looked very good in his position drills, which were run indoors on brand-new FieldTurf.

Since this workout, Toomer has had visits with 12 NFL teams, four of which (the Dolphins, Cowboys, Giants and Seahawks) worked him out on campus.

Georgia linemen under close watch at pro day

Two well-thought-of offensive line prospects were the center of attention when Georgia held its pro day on March 5.

Offensive tackle Cordy Glenn could go in the first round, while center Ben Jones is expected to be a mid-round pick.

The workout was held outdoors on FieldTurf in less-than-ideal weather conditions. It was a clear day, but strong wind gusts of 20 to 25 miles per hour made it difficult to get accurate times in the runs. The 40-yard dash was run at first with the wind, and then against the wind.

There were 22 teams present at the pro day, including Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Andy Moeller, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line coach Andy Heck, Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Pat Hill (the former Fresno State head coach) and Cincinnati Bengals assistant head coach/offensive line coach Paul Alexander.

Another workout was held later for teams to get another look at Glenn and Jones. The Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams each had coaches there to work out those players.

Glenn, who weighed in at 341 pounds, rested on his NFL Scouting Combine numbers, but did do position drills. Glenn is versatile, able to play all positions — tackle, guard and center — along the offensive line.

Jones weighed in at 302 pounds and also did only position drills. Historically, centers don’t get drafted early in the draft. Mike and Maurkice Pouncey were first-rounders the previous two years, selected by the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively. Alex Mack and Eric Wood were first-round selections of the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills, respectively, in 2009.

Other notable performances from Georgia’s pro day include:

Brandon Boykin, CB/KR (181 pounds) — Boykin only weighed in and did 16 strength lifts of 225 pounds. He did not go through drills at the pro day because of a broken leg suffered at the Senior Bowl. Boykin is a very good kick returner, and was the 2011 recipient of the Paul Hornung Award, which is given to the most versatile player in major college football.

Drew Butler, P (204 pounds) — The son of former Bears kicker Kevin Butler stood on his numbers from the combine due to the gusting winds.

Orson Charles, TE (250 pounds) — Charles ran a 4.73-second 40-yard dash with the wind and a 4.93 against the wind. He had a 30 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-5 broad jump. His times in the short shuttle were 4.39 and 4.37 seconds. This is a good tight end prospect, who could go as high as the third round.

Blair Walsh, K (184 pounds) — He stood on his combine numbers, then did some position drills, working on kickoffs and field goals.

DeAngelo Tyson, DT (6-foot-1 7/8, 308) — Tyson ran the 40 in 5.00 and 5.09 seconds, had a 27 1/2-inch vertical, 9-foot-0 broad jump, 4.68-second short shuttle and executed 30 strength lifts. This is a player who will be drafted because of his strength and ability. He hasn’t shown yet how good of a player he can be, but the ability is there to be a very good defensive player. He’ll probably be drafted in the fifth or sixth rounds based on that potential.

Broyles puts knee to test in front of scouts

There were 25 NFL teams represented at a workout on Thursday that was specifically designed for teams to get a look at Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles, who’s been recovering from a knee injury.

Broyles, the NCAA’s career leader in receptions, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a Nov. 5 game against Texas A&M (a 41-25 victory). Broyles had an ACL operation, and wasn’t quite 100 percent for his workout.

While Broyles kept his height from the NFL Scouting Combine (5-foot-10), he did weigh in at 188 pounds at the workout.

Broyles — who is ahead of schedule in his recovery, but had to gut out the workout in order to get a close look from teams — ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 and 4.57 seconds, and then did a 32 1/2-inch vertical jump.

There were 30 passes thrown to Broyles by former Oklahoma quarterback Joey Halzle, and the receiver caught all 30 throws.

Between now and the draft, doctors will take Broyles in for another physical to test the health of his surgically repaired knee.

Before the injury, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock projected Broyles as a second-round pick. Depending on results of the final medical reports, Mayock said on “Path to the Draft” that a positive report could have Broyles going in the third or fourth rounds.

Still is star of show at Penn State’s pro day

There were 24 teams present — including Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley — when Penn State held its pro day on March 14.

The workout was conducted indoors on FieldTurf, and highlighted by Devon Still, a defensive tackle who looked very good and impressive enough to be worthy of selection in the first round of the draft on Thursday, April 26.

Still measured 6-foot-5 1/8 and 300 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.94 and 5.04 seconds, did a 4.65-second short shuttle and a 7.70-second three-cone drill. In his latest mock draft, NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Albert Breer projects Still to go No. 24 to the Steelers.

Here are some of the other notable performers from Penn State’s pro day:

Jack Crawford, DE (6-foot-5 1/8, 272 pounds) — Crawford did not jump or run, standing on his numbers in those drills from the NFL Scouting Combine. Crawford did 14 strength lifts of 225 pounds. Obviously, for a player at his position, he needs to get stronger in a hurry.

Derek Moye, WR (6-4 3/4, 208) — Moye ran a 4.44 in each attempt in the 40, then kept his numbers in the other drills from the combine. Moye caught the ball well and had an impressive workout. Moye’s status during draft weekend is hindered by the deep class at the wide receiver position.

Chaz Powell, CB (6 1/2, 207) — Powell ran the 40 in 4.50 and 4.52 seconds, had a 33-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-3 broad jump.

Nathan Stupar, OLB (6-1 5/8, 238) — Stupar ran a 4.60 and 4.68 in the 40, had a 31-inch vertical jump, and then stood on his other numbers from the combine. Stupar had a good workout.

Nick Sukay, S (6-1, 215) — Sukay did not participate at the combine and went through each of the drills, running the 40 in 4.68 and 4.70 seconds, registering a 32-inch vertical and 9-foot-6 broad jump, running a 4.18-second short shuttle and 6.95-second three-cone, and executing 21 strength lifts.

Luke Nix draws most attention at Pitt pro day

Luke Nix was a three-year starter on the offensive line at the University of Pittsburgh, and representatives from 22 teams were present at the school’s pro day to check this player out. Nix figures to be a late third-round or early fourth-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive line coach Sean Kugler worked out the players. Coaches from the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins were also present at the pro day.

Nix, a guard, measured in at 6-foot-5 3/8 and 319 pounds. He did an 8-foot-10 broad jump, 4.73-second short shuttle and 7.94-second three-cone drill, and opted to stand on his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine in the other drills. Despite being sick with a strep throat for the workout, Nix looked good working out on the offensive line.

Other notable performances from Pittsburgh’s pro day include:

Chas Alecxih, DT (6-foot-3 3/4, 291 pounds) — Alecxih ran the 40-yard dash in 5.22 and 5.16 seconds, had a 31-inch vertical and 8-foot-8 broad jump and a 7.71-second three-cone drill. Alecxih is a third-day-of-the-draft sort of prospect, looking more like a seventh-rounder than a fifth-round selection.

Brandon Lindsey, DE (6-1 1/4, 245) — Lindsey ran the 40 in 4.70 and 4.79 seconds, had a 32 1/2-inch vertical, 9-foot-10 broad jump, 4.41-second short shuttle and a 7.20-second three-cone. Lindsey played defensive end in college, but projects better to 3-4 base defense outside linebacker in the NFL.

Antwuan Reed, CB (5-9 7/8, 189) — Reed ran the 40 in 4.62 and 4.57 seconds, and did a 4.41-second short shuttle and 7.31-second three-cone. Reed kept his numbers in the vertical and broad jumps, as well as the bench press, from the combine. Reed had an average position workout at the pro day.

Buddy Jackson, CB (6 1/8, 187) — Jackson ran the 40 in 4.37 and 4.40 seconds (including a 1.50 10-yard split, which is pretty good), had a 40-inch vertical jump and 11-foot-8 broad jump, a 4.10-second short shuttle, 7.11-second three-cone, and performed 15 strength lifts of 225 pounds. Jackson was not at the combine. He did not play much at Pittsburgh, but has displayed outstanding speed and athletic ability.

Dontari Poe stands by his impressive combine numbers

Dontari Poe put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine, most notably leading all participants in the bench press, doing 44 reps of 225 pounds.

So it came as no surprise when the defensive tackle prospect opted to stand on his eye-popping combine performances when Memphis held its pro day on March 22.

Poe (6-foot-3 1/9, 339 pounds) has visited with the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles recently, and is projected to go as high as No. 9 (to the Carolina Panthers) or as low as No. 30 (San Francisco 49ers) in mock drafts released in the past week by NFL.com and NFL Network experts.

Other notable performances from Memphis’ pro day include:

Ronald Leary, G (6-foot-3 1/8, 314 pounds) — Like Poe, Leary stood on his numbers from the combine. Leary was worked out by Dallas Cowboys offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Leary has really helped himself in the offseason, going from being a projected sixth- or seventh-round draft choice to possibly going as early as the fourth round.

Frank Trotter, DT (6-1 3/8, 269) — Trotter ran the 40-yard dash in 4.86 and 4.87 seconds, had a 32-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-1 broad jump, had a 4.51-second short shuttle and 7.21-second three-cone, and did 25 strength lifts. Trotter, who was not at the combine, is a likely rookie free-agent pickup following the draft.

Memphis’ pro day was held indoors on FieldTurf and attended by 23 NFL teams, including offensive coaches from the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and St. Louis Rams, and defensive coaches from the Eagles and Washington Redskins.

Speedy lineman, powerful leg impress at Purdue

There were 15 NFL teams present, including Arizona Cardinals assistant head coach/offensive line coach Russ Grimm, when Purdue University held its pro day indoors on FieldTurf on March 9.

Two offensive linemen who did not participate at the NFL Scouting Combine, and a kicker who was at Lucas Oil Stadium in late February, were the players of note working out in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nick Mondek, OT (6-foot-5 3/4, 304 pounds) — Mondek’s speed was the most impressive aspect of the lineman’s workout. Mondek ran the 40-yard dash in 4.84 and 4.87 seconds. More importantly, his 10-yard split time was 1.59 seconds, which is basically unheard of for that size athlete. Mondek had a 28 1/2-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-2 broad jump, 4.55-second short shuttle, 7.30 three-cone drill, and performed 30 strength lifts of 225 pounds. Mondek has 33 3/8-inch arms and a 80 1/4-inch wingspan. Mondek is a potential sixth- or seventh-round draft pick.

Dennis Kelly, OT (6-8 1/8, 321) — Kelly ran the 40 in 5.33 and 5.41 seconds (he had a 1.82-second 10-yard split). He had a 27-inch vertical, 8-foot-8 broad jump, 4.91-second short shuttle and 7.73 three-cone, and performed 30 strength lifts. Kelly also has 33 1/2-inch arms. The two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention player is a likely rookie free-agent pickup post-draft.

Carson Wiggs, K (6-0 7/8, 220) — Wiggs ran the 40 in 4.91 and 4.93 seconds, had a 25 1/2-inch vertical and 8-foot-10 broad jump, and did 11 strength lifts. Wiggs has a very strong leg, and showed off that powerful boot by kicking 60-yard field goals with ease during warmups. Wiggs gained notoriety by successfully kicking a 67-yard field goal in Purdue’s spring game in 2011.

Promising Columbia prospect works out for Jets

Hall of Fame quarterback Sid Luckman is (and might forever be) the most notable NFL player to ever come out of Columbia University. Luckman was a first-round pick in 1939 in just the fourth NFL draft ever held, and then led the Chicago Bears to four NFL championships between 1940 and 1946.

More recently, defensive end Marcellus Wiley was a second-round pick in 1997 by the Buffalo Bills. Wiley went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL.

Columbia hasn’t had a player drafted since Wiley in 1997, and offensive tackle Jeff Adams could break that streak in late April.

Adams — who did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine — has held a variety of workouts in the time leading up to the draft. The Chicago native participated in Northwestern’s pro day on March 20, measuring in at 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.13 and 5.22 seconds, had a 34 1/2-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-5 broad jump, ran a 4.20-second short shuttle and 7.31-second three-cone. He has 33 3/4-inch arms and performed 19 strength lifts of 225 pounds.

On March 20, Adams held another workout, this time at Columbia in New York City, where he worked out for a Jets scout and improved upon his bench press by performing 20 strength lifts.

On Monday, Adams had a private workout at the New York Jets’ facility, working out for offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo. Head coach Rex Ryan, offensive coordinator Tony Sparano and other Jets assistants watched Adams work out.

On the strength of these workouts, Adams might have gone from being a rookie free-agent pickup post-draft to becoming a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick in late April. He’s a big, tall project of a player who had an impressive workout while at Northwestern’s pro day.

Portland State aims for another draft pick

Portland State had a player selected in the 2011 NFL Draft — tight end Julius Thomas in the fourth round — and the Football Championship Subdivision school could produce another draft pick in late April.

Offensive tackle Dustin Waldron — who participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in late February — is the sort of player a team can draft in the sixth or seventh rounds and try to develop into an NFL-caliber player. Waldron has not had much opportunity to block top-level collegiate athletes while competing in the Big Sky Conference. At Portland State’s pro day — which was held on March 14 outdoors on FieldTurf in chilly 40- to 45-degree temperatures, and strong wind and slight rainy conditions — Waldron measured 6-foot-4 3/4 and 303 pounds. Waldron had a 31-inch vertical, 8-foot-8 broad jump, 4.82-second short shuttle and 7.84 three-cone drill. Waldron kept his 40-yard dash and bench press numbers from the combine.

Also of note from Portland State’s pro day:

DeShawn Shead, safety (6-1 1/8, 220) — Shead ran a 4.53-second 40 with the wind and then a 4.58 40 against the wind. Shead had a 38-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-1 broad jump, 4.23-second short shuttle, 6.76-second three-cone and did 24 strength lifts of 225 pounds. Shead is a likely rookie free-agent pickup following the draft.

Non-combine invitees impress at ECU’s pro day

Despite not having a player present at the NFL Scouting Combine, East Carolina features two potential late-round draft picks.

Two up-and-coming prospects — QB Dominique Davis and OT Steven Baker — give the Pirates their best shots at having athletes selected by NFL teams in late April.

There were 17 NFL teams represented — including an offensive coach from the Cleveland Browns — at ECU’s pro day, held on March 22 in Greenville, N.C., and conducted outdoors on FieldTurf in 75-degree weather.

Davis (6-foot-3, 221 pounds) has a chance to be a seventh-round pick (or become an undrafted free-agent pickup). He looked good throwing the ball, and executed both under center as well as in the shotgun. He possesses better arm strength than was anticipated. In the workout, Davis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 and 4.60 seconds, had a 36-inch vertical and 10-foot-4 broad jump, ran a 4.27-second short shuttle and 6.93-second three-cone, and had 15 strength lifts of 225 pounds.

Baker is a raw prospect with a limited amount of football experience. However, he improved in the second half of the 2011 season, showed good ability and could be selected as high as the sixth round as a developmental prospect.

Also of note from East Carolina’s pro day:

Lance Lewis, WR (6-3, 208) — Lewis ran the 40 in 4.58 and 4.59 seconds, had a 34-inch vertical and 10-foot-5 broad jump, and ran a 4.40-second short shuttle and 6.94-second three-cone. Due to the tremendous amount of depth at the wide receiver position in this year’s draft, Lewis is most likely a rookie free-agent candidate post-draft.

Toledo vying for first draft pick since 2008

The University of Toledo hasn’t exactly been a hotbed for potential pro football players, and hasn’t produced a draft pick since 2008 (when two Rockets — OT John Greco and RB Jalen Parmele — were selected).

One Toledo player — WR Eric Page — was invited to participate at the NFL Scouting Combine. Page also represents Toledo’s best shot at having a player selected in April.

At Toledo’s pro day — which was held on March 13, with 10 NFL teams represented to watch a workout that took place indoors on FieldTurf — Page caught passes from ex-Toledo QB Bruce Gradkowski (a sixth-round pick in 2006 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) during his position drill. Page, who also has added value as a return specialist, measured 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds. Page ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds in each attempt, and then kept all his other numbers from the combine.

Here are some of the other notable performers from Toledo’s pro day:

Desmond Marrow, CB (6-2 1/4, 208) — Morrow ran the 40 in 4.53 and 4.55 seconds. He had a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-4 broad jump, 4.44-second short shuttle, 7.02-second three-cone and performed 19 strength lifts of 225 pounds). Morrow possesses long arms, and while he played cornerback at Toledo, he probably will be better off switching to safety in the NFL.

Mike VanDerMeulen, OT (6-5 1/2, 307) — VanDerMeulen ran the 40 in 5.07 and 5.10 seconds, had a 32 1/2-inch vertical, 8-foot-10 broad jump, 4.55-second short shuttle, 7.74-second three-cone and performed 24 strength lifts. Possessing 34-inch arms, VanDerMeulen looks like a rookie free-agent, developmental player.

Reyes the main attraction at UConn pro day

Though Connecticut held its pro day toward the end of the normal circuit, 18 teams were still on hand to take in the Huskies’ workout on March 28. Kendall Reyes (6-foot-4 1/4, 299 pounds) is the school’s biggest name in this month’s draft. The defensive tackle stood on all of his combine numbers but worked out well. He has a chance to sneak into the end of the first round, but he likely will be an early second-round pick.

Here are some of the other notable performers from Connecticut’s pro day:

Kashif Moore, WR (5-9 1/4, 181) — Moore kept all of his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine, but he did a good job in his position workout.

Dave Teggart, K (6-0 3/8, 202) — After attending the combine, Teggart only performed kickoffs. Teggart did not handle kickoffs at UConn in his final season.

Mike Ryan, OT (6-foot-5 5/8, 327) — Ryan was a surprise standout. He ran 5.24- and 5.26-second 40-yard dashes, had a 28 1/2-inch vertical leap, 8-foot-2 broad jump, 4.93-second short shuttle, 7.80-second three-cone drill, and 33-inch arms. When he came back out after practice and worked out in bare feet, he hurt his left knee. But the injury was nothing serious. He is set to visit Seattle this week.

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