Konz throws weight at Wisconsin workout

After missing the Wisconsin pro day, Badgers center Peter Konz finally worked out at the university in front of scouts from 11 teams and coaches from the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens.

All Konz did was weigh in at 313 pounds and then did 23 bench presses. He’s very athletic, but had a broken ankle and missed the final three games of the regular season. However, he returned to play a bowl game and will probably go in the 25-35 area.

Two other prospects G Kevin Zeitler and OL Josh Oglesby showed up as well but both only weighed in at 315 and 336, respectively.

Fresno State’s WR Wylie looks good in pro day

At the Fresno State pro day last Wednesday.Representatives from 15 teams were at the pro day including the Detroit Lions’ wide receiver and special teams coaches. The prospects ran on FieldTurf outdoors.

Devon Wylie, WR (5-9 1/4, 182 pounds). — Wylie is a small guy, but they’re good at returning kicks. He ran really fast at the combine and sat on his times and scores for the vertical and broad jump. He ran a 4.16 short shuffle, 6.82 three-cone. He’s a little water bug type guy that’s going to be hard to cover because he’s got such great speed and he’s a lot like Wes Welker. He’s probably a seventh round priority free agent type.

Bryce Harris, OT (6-6 1/8, 299 pounds). — He looked good in the in the drills running the 40 in 5.21 and 5.22-seconds. He clocked a 4.69 short shuffle and a 7.57 three-cone. He also recorded a 30-inch vertical, a 9-foot-1 broad jump and did 20 strength lifts.

SMU’s Thompson impresses at tight end

SMU’s pro day was held Wednesday on a beautiful day — about 85 degrees, with little to no wind. Twenty-five NFL teams were present, including the tight ends coaches from Dallas, Jacksonville and Baltimore.

Among the players who worked out on Wednesday:

Kelvin Beachum, OL (6-foot-2 7/8, 303 pounds). He had an OK workout, nothing special. Did 19 strength reps.

Josh Leribeus, OL (6-foot-3 3/8, 318 pounds). Leribeus, who was academically ineligible in 2010, was put through some O-line drills. He’s got really good feet, and he’s strong. He’ll be a third-rounder and he has a chance to start as a rookie at guard.

Taylor Thompson (6-foot-5 7/8, 259 pounds) is an interesting case: He’s been a defensive end at SMU and a receiver in high school. He ran 4.59 and 4.56 in the 40, had a 37-inch vertical leap, a 10-6 long jump, 4.41 in the short shuttle, 7.40 in the three-cone, and 22 strength reps.

Thompson had an outstanding workout. He caught the ball really well, moves really well, and probably went from an undrafted free agent to a bottom-third-, top-fourth-round type of guy. He’s just a really good athlete who projects in my top 100.

SMU’s workout on Wednesday was the last of the FBS pro days.

Rounding up the Abilene Christian pro day

Prospects from several schools worked out at the Abilene Christian pro day Tuesday, including players from Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, West Texas A&M and McMurry.

Prospects ran outside on FieldTurf in wet and slippery conditions. Representatives from 16 NFL teams were there, and 28 players worked out.

Daryl Richardson, RB, Abilene Christian, (5-foot-10 3/8, 192 pounds) — Richardson ran the 40-yard dash on the slippery track, finishing in 4.49 and 4.50 seconds. He recorded a 40 1/2-inch vertical, an 11-foot-3 broad jump, a 4.29-second short shuttle and a 7.03-second three-cone, and did 16 strength lifts. Richardson was worked out as a hybrid back, doing running back and receiving drills. He had a successful workout and caught the ball well. Richardson will likely be selected in the seventh round of April’s draft or be a priority free agent.

Aston Whiteside, DE, Abilene Christian, (6-1 5/8, 260) — Whiteside ran the 40-yard dash in 4.88 and 4.87 seconds. He had a 33 1/2-inch vertical, a 9-3 broad jump, a 4.53-second short shuttle and a 7.35-second three-cone, and did 19 strength lifts. Whiteside worked out as a linebacker, tight end and fullback. He’ll probably be a priority free agent.

Nick Stephens, QB, Tarleton State, (6-3 1/8, 230) — Stephens started his college career at Tennessee, where he was the starting quarterback, but transferred to Tarleton State when then-coach Lane Kiffin left for Southern California. He threw the ball very, very well. Somebody will probably bring him to camp as a priority free agent, or he could be selected in the seventh round of April’s draft.

Top WR prospect Floyd feels Notre Dame pro day ‘went well’

Potential first-round draft pick Michael Floyd excelled at the Notre Dame pro day Tuesday, and the soft-spoken receiver knew it.

“I think it went well,” Floyd told NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock after the workout. “I performed well, you know, I caught all my balls, ran good routes, was explosive off the ball, (and did) what I think teams wanted to see.”

Floyd, who was suspended from the Notre Dame football team for a time in 2011 after being charged with a DUI, faces potential questions about his character. Mayock asked Floyd how he handles the interview process.

“I come from the gut,” Floyd said. “I tell them from my heart that, you know, what I did was a mistake, and I learned from it, and I moved on.”

Floyd said at the next level, teams will expect him to carry himself appropriately.

“Now that I’m going to the NFL,” Floyd said, “you’ve got to act like a professional; you can’t be like a kid out there, just doing whatever you want to do; you’ve got to act like a professional.”

Center Konz will work out at Wisconsin on Wednesday

Center Peter Konz, who did not work out at the Wisconsin pro day March 7, will work out Wednesday at 12 p.m. CT at the University of Wisconsin.

Konz was not able to do anything at the pro day because of an injured left ankle.

NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock had previously ranked Konz as the top center available in April’s draft.

Floyd dazzles at Notre Dame pro day, could go before Blackmon

After the excellent workout Michael Floyd had at Notre Dame’s pro day Tuesday, I feel he conceivably could be drafted before fellow blue-chip receiver prospect Justin Blackmon.

Representatives from 18 NFL teams were there, including Bears coach Lovie Smith, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, and the receivers coaches for the Ravens, Browns and Bears. Prospects ran indoors on FieldTurf.

Floyd, WR, (6-foot-3 1/8, 220 pounds) — Floyd made himself some money Tuesday. He stood on the 4.47-second 40-yard dash that he ran at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he did the short shuttle (4.5 seconds) and three-cone (7.16 seconds) at the pro day.

Floyd is very fluid and runs good routes. He’s a big target, has excellent speed and caught the ball extremely well. He likely got a boost from having former Irish QB Jimmy Clausen throwing the ball to him, because the two are comfortable with each other.

Floyd really moved himself up the charts Tuesday, and again, his performance should at least have people putting him side-by-side with Blackmon; as I wrote, personally, I would rank Floyd higher. Floyd is a little faster and a little taller, and he’s been pretty productive in college. I think he should be taken with the 11th or 12th pick in the draft.

Robert Blanton, DB, (6-1/2, 201)– Blanton ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 and 4.62 seconds. He’s an athletic player, a bit of a straight-line player. He’ll likely be taken in one of the later rounds.

Taylor Dever, OT, (6-5 1/4, 304) — Dever ran the 40-yard dash in 5.36 and 5.38 seconds. He had a 27 1/2-inch vertical, an 8-foot-9 broad jump, a 4.78-second short shuttle and did 15 strength lifts. He is an athlete who has to get a lot stronger.

Darius Fleming, LB, (6-1 1/2, 247) — He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 and 4.57 seconds. He has straight-line speed and likely will be taken in one of the later rounds.

Jonas Gray, RB, (5-9 1/2, 225) — Gray is recovering from knee surgery and didn’t do anything Tuesday.

Harrison Smith, S, (6-1 7/8, 214) — Smith didn’t run and rested on what he did at the combine. Interestingly, he had seven interceptions in 2010 and none last year. He moves extremely well for a big guy. He’ll probably go between No. 33 and No. 45 at the draft.

South Carolina showcases stellar class at pro day

Representatives from 32 NFL teams were at the South Carolina pro day on March 28, including Jets coach Rex Ryan and members of his defensive staff, Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and Steelers GM Kevin Colbert.

South Carolina has a stellar class, and could have three players — DE Melvin Ingram, WR Alshon Jeffery and CB Stephon Gilmore — selected in the first two rounds in April’s draft.

Ingram, DE, (6-foot-1 1/2, 265 pounds) — Ingram stayed in school for one more season and is going to make a lot of money because of it. All he did at the pro day was get weighed and measured, and did position drills. If he had entered the draft last year, he would have gone in the fourth or fifth round. Now he’s a top-12 pick. In the next two weeks, he has 12 visits scheduled with teams.

Jeffery, WR, (6-2 3/4, 213) — Jeffery, who did not do anything at the NFL Scouting Combine, had a very good pro day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 and 4.49 seconds. He recorded a 36-1/2-inch vertical, a 10-foot-2 broad jump, a 4.17-second short shuttle and a 6.71-second three-cone. His arms measure 33-inches long, but he didn’t lift because of a strained right shoulder. He caught the ball well. There had been some questions about his explosiveness, but he did well with all facets of getting open. Tennessee worked him out on Friday; the Giants met with him Monday, represented by receivers coach Kevin M. Gilbride. He’ll visit with the Vikings on Tuesday and the Jets on Wednesday.

Jeffery likely made himself a potential first-round pick with this workout. He could be selected anywhere from No. 25 to No. 40. He was highly touted, then his stock fell, but now it’s way up again. He’s like a yo-yo.

Gilmore, CB, (6-5/8, 189) — He was at the combine, and kept all of his times. He was weighed and measured. He will probably be selected between No. 25 and No. 40. He worked out well.

Travian Robertson, DT, (6-4, 300) — He stood on his 40-yard dash times, his broad jump and his bench press from the combine. He recorded a 26-inch vertical and had a good workout. He’ll go somewhere in the fourth or fifth round.

Rokevious Watkins, OT, (6-3 5/8, 328) — He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.26 and 5.30 seconds. He recorded a 26-1/2-inch vertical and skipped the broad jump. He ran a 4.76-second short shuttle. His arms measured 34 inches long, and he did 19 strength lifts. He gets good movement, but he has to get stronger; if he does, he can be a solid NFL player.

Jay Wooten, K, (6-2 7/8, 196) — He was not at the combine, but kicked off well at the pro day. He had a 35 1/2-inch vertical. He has a chance to be a seventh-round pick or a priority free agent.

C.C. Whitlock, CB, (5-9 1/2, 181) — Whitlock ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 and 4.54 seconds. He recorded a 38 1/2-inch vertical, a 9-11 broad jump, a 4.14-second short shuttle, a 6.73-second three cone and did nine bench presses.

Stephen Garcia, QB, (6-2 1/8, 218) — Garcia was dismissed from South Carolina in October for behavioral issues, but he has talent, and someone will likely take a chance on him in the seventh round. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.04 and 4.98 seconds. He had a 31-inch vertical, a 9-2 broad jump, a 4.36-second short shuttle and a 7.36 three-cone.

Antonio Allen, S, (6-1 1/8, 206) — Allen ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 and 4.63 seconds. He kept the rest of his numbers from the combine. He had a good pro-day workout.

Rounding up Brigham Young’s pro day

Representatives from 14 NFL teams were at the Brigham Young pro day on March 29 to watch prospects work out indoors on FieldTurf. No position coaches attended.

Matt Reynolds, OL, (6-foot-4 7/8, 305 pounds) — Reynolds was at the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.12 and 5.20 seconds, recorded a 29-inch vertical, an 8-foot-11 broad jump, a 4.68-second short shuttle, a 7.55-second three-cone. His arms measured 33 1/8-inches long, and he didn’t bench press.

He’s older, because he missed school to go on a religious mission. He had a good workout, though he didn’t knock anyone’s socks off.

Hebron “Loni” Fangupo, DL,(6-1, 323) — He stood on most of what he did at the combine. At the pro day, he did position drills and ran the three-cone in 7.72 seconds. His workout was limited because of a pectoral problem. He did well, but again, it was a short workout.

McKay Jacobson, WR, (5-9 7/8, 188) — Jacobson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 both times. He recorded a 37-inch vertical and a 9-8 broad jump. He did the short shuttle in 4.13 seconds and the three-cone in 6.67 seconds, and did 12 strength lifts. Jacobson showed off his creativity, working with former BYU QB Max Hall to put together his own unique scripted positional workout, and did very well with it, impressing with his ball-catching skills. The former highly touted high school player projects as a slot receiver; I think he’ll be drafted in the seventh round or so. Jacobson has the chance to be a very good pro player.

Travis Uale, S, (6-2, 208) — Uale ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 and 4.71 seconds. He had a 36-inch vertical, a 10-1 broad jump, a 4.18-second short-shuttle and a 6.89-second three-cone. He also did 16 strength lifts.

Former Notre Dame QB Clausen will throw to WR Floyd at pro day

When WR prospect Michael Floyd works out at the Notre Dame pro day, the football will be launched by a familiar arm — that of former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen.

Floyd is expected to be one of the top receivers taken in the draft this April. He’s got a lot of upside. He’s big and fast, and he’s caught a lot of passes. He was suspended in 2011 after being charged with a DUI, but otherwise he’s what you want in a receiver: he’s big and tall and he’s got really good hands. He should be taken somewhere between No. 10 and No. 17 in the first round.

According to the South Bend Tribune, 16 of Floyd’s 37 touchdown passes were the result of a connection between Clausen and Floyd.

Clausen was selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He made 10 starts in the 2010 season, throwing for 1,558 yards and three touchdowns while having nine passes picked off. He did not attempt a pass in 2011.

Oklahoma’s Broyles to work out April 12

Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles, the all-time receptions leader in FBS history, will hold an on-campus workout in Norman, Okla., on April 12.

Broyles tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a win against Texas A&M on Nov. 5, 2011. Broyles’ injury came on a 30-yard reception, the 349th and final catch of his collegiate career.

Broyles also finished his Oklahoma career No. 2 all-time in receiving yards (4,586) in FBS history.

I think he will probably go in the second round. Broyles has great ability, but he isn’t very big. Nobody knows for sure how fast he is. I think he’s also got return ability.

Receiver Sanu improves on combine speed at Rutgers pro day

Representatives from 24 teams were at the Rutgers pro day on March 21. Prospects ran indoors on FieldTurf.

Justin Francis, DE, (6-foot-2 7/8, 270 pounds) — Francis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.94 and 4.90 seconds. He had a 36-inch vertical and a 9-8 broad jump, and completed the short shuttle in 4.39 seconds.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, (6-1 5/8, 211) — Sanu, who caught 115 passes for 1,206 yards last season, was projected as a possible first-round pick by some but hurt his stock by running a 4.67-second 40-yard dash. At his pro day, he did everything over again, running the 40 in 4.55 and 4.54 seconds. He also had a 4.21-second short shuttle. He was worked out by one of the Saints scouts. Scouts said he had a very good workout, catching the ball well. He just doesn’t look like he gets a lot of separation when he’s going for it. He ran the first 10 yards of the 40 in 1.6 seconds.

Desmond Wynn, OG, (6-5 5/8, 303) — Wynn stood on everything he did at the NFL Scouting Combine except for the short shuttle, which he completed in 4.46 seconds.

Joe Martinek, FB, (5-11 1/2, 224) — Martinek ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds both times. He is very, very fast; he ran the first 10 yards of the 40 in 1.5 seconds, or a full tenth of a second faster than Sanu. He recorded a 32-1/2-inch vertical, a 9-8 broad jump, a 4.21-second short shuttle, a 6.87-second three-cone and did 26 strength lifts. He will be a seventh-round pick or priority free agent.

Prospects contend with tilted field at Temple pro day

Representatives from 20 teams were at the Temple pro day on March 16 to watch prospects run outdoors on FieldTurf.

The running conditions were not ideal; the field was tilted, with prospects asked to run uphill one way and downhill the other.

Bernard Pierce, RB, (6-foot-3/8, 218 pounds) — Pierce ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds going uphill and 4.34 seconds going downhill. He completed the short shuttle in 4.7 seconds and the three-cone in 7.53 seconds. Pierce had a good workout and should be selected around the fifth round of April’s draft.

Evan Rodriguez, TE, (6-1 5/8, 244) — He kept everything from the NFL Scouting Combine but did strength lifts again, registering 19. He also had a good workout. He projects more as an H-back or running back than he does as a tight end in the NFL. He will be taken in the sixth or seventh round.

Tahir Whitehead, LB, (6-1 1/2, 237) — The outside linebacker ran the 40-yard dash in 4.86 seconds going uphill and 4.68 seconds going downhill. He recorded a 35-1/2-inch vertical, a 10-foot-7 broad jump, a 4.18-second short shuttle and a 7.18-second three-cone. He also did 21 strength lifts. He should be selected in the sixth round or so.

Rounding up Marshall, Virginia pro days

Linebacker coaches from the Cardinals and Bears and defensive line coaches from the Saints, Lions and Bears were at the Marshall pro day March 14 to watch LB prospect Vinny Curry. He ran outdoors on FieldTurf. In all, representatives from 19 teams were there.

Curry, DE/LB, (6-foot-3, 262 pounds): Curry got off to a bad start in his first attempt at the 40-yard dash, weaving slightly, and it cost him; he finished in 4.77 seconds. In his second try, he clocked in at 4.69 seconds. He probably should have run a third time. Curry registered a 35-inch vertical and a 9-foot-3 broad jump, and did 28 strength lifts. Curry, who finished last season with 11 sacks, has visits scheduled with 16 NFL teams. Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn came in to have a personal workout with Curry.

Representatives from 32 teams were at Virginia’s pro day March 15. Prospects ran outdoors on FieldTurf.

Cam Johnson, DE, (6-3 5/8, 267): Johnson stood on his times from the NFL Scouting Combine. He had a 34-1/2-inch vertical and a 9-7 broad jump. He also did 18 strength lifts. He worked out with his hand on the ground and as a player who would drop into space. He’s probably best suited to play linebacker in a 3-4  scheme at the pro level.

Chase Minnifield, CB, (5-10 5/8, 180): Minnifield ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 and 4.68 seconds. He said he had a tight hamstring, and probably didn’t run as well as he could have. He had a 32-1/2-inch vertical and a 9-9 broad jump, and did eight strength lifts.

Defenders stand out at West Virginia pro day

Bears coach Lovie Smith, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Steelers GM Kevin Colbert were among the representatives of 29 teams on hand to observe West Virginia’s pro day on March 16. Several linebacker coaches, defensive back coaches and defensive-line coaches were also there.

Najee Goode, LB, (6-foot-1/2, 243 pounds) — Goode stood on his times from the NFL Scouting Combine, though he did run the short shuttle, clocking in at 4.35 seconds. He worked out as both a linebacker and defensive back, and should go in one of the later rounds of the draft.

Bruce Irvin, DE, (6-3 3/8, 248) — Irvin had a very good workout. He had great explosion off the ball. He was worked out as both a pass-rusher — which is probably where he’ll be most likely to succeed in the NFL — and as a linebacker.

Cody Nutter, LS, (6-3 3/8, 243) — One long snapper seems to be drafted every year; Nutter looks very good. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.00 and 4.92 seconds. He notched a 31-1/2-inch vertical, a 9-foot-2 broad jump, a 4.46-second short shuttle, a 7.19-second three-cone, and did 20 strength lifts. He gets the ball back quickly, and is very accurate on both short snaps (to the placekicker) and long snaps (to the punter).

Keith Tandy, DB, (5-10 1/4, 197) — Tandy ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51 and 4.51 seconds. He had a 35-inch vertical, a 10-foot broad jump, a 4.29-second short shuttle and a 6.91-second three-cone. He also did 16 strength lifts. Tandy did very well in his position workout, and will probably be drafted in the fifth round.

Julian Miller, DE, (6-3 3/8) — Miller ran the 40 in 4.92 and 4.86 seconds. He had a 33-inch vertical, a 9-9 broad jump, a 4.41-second short shuttle and a 7.23-second three-cone. He also did 19 strength lifts, and has long arms (34 inches). The pass-rusher will probably be a priority free agent.

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