West Virginia pro day 2013: Workouts scheduled for March 14

Geno Smith probably won’t be the top pick in the NFL Draft, but he has another chance to show off why he should be the first quarterback selected when he works out at West Virginia’s Pro Day March 14.

The scouts should be out in full force to see Smith and Tavon Austin, as well as likely mid-round draft pick Stedman Bailey and potential late-round center Joe Madsen. All four were at the combine, with Smith and Austin showing particularly well.

Smith has faced his fair share of criticism. He still seems to be the top quarterback in the draft, but that might not mean much. The Kansas City Chiefs took themselves out of the race for Smith by trading for Alex Smith, and although Dan Kadar of Mocking the Draft still has him going No. 2 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in his latest mock draft, some, such as Mel Kiper, don’t think any quarterbacks in this year’s draft belong in the first round, let alone the first ten picks. Smith will once again get to show off his measurables at West Virginia’s pro day. At the combine, he ran the fastest 40 among quarterbacks, quieting criticism that he isn’t particularly mobile. He’ll once again throw for scouts in Morgantown.

However, the guy scouts might be most excited to see is Austin. He’s not big, but he’s fast - really fast, as Kadar wrote in his scouting report. That came across in Indianapolis, as Austin ran a 4.34 40 - only behind Olympian Marquise Goodwin among wide receivers - a speed which prompted SB Nation’s Spencer Hall to confirm for NFL Fans that yes, Austin really is that fast. (Seriously, watch these highlights West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket put together.) At this point, it doesn’t seem like Austin will make it out of the first round. Not bad for a 5’9 wide receiver.

Bailey isn’t as strong a prospect - his 4.52 at the combine was good, but not elite - but is still projected to go in the third or fourth round.