NFL pro day results: NFL GMs, scouts flock to Texas A&M event
With Jake Matthews, Mike Evans and others working out, College Station was one of many places to be bombarded with scouts.
On Wednesday, the eyes of the NFL and every front office were fixated on Texas A&M University, the site of the most intriguing pro day taking place.
While Johnny Manziel decided not to participate in the event, wide receiver Mike Evans and offensive tackle Jake Matthews, among others hoping to be drafted, did . For Matthews and Evans, they were simply trying to maintain their stocks or slightly improve them, already certain of going in the first round.
As Fox Sports North reporter Brian Hall tweeted out, College Station saw an influx of NFL people to watch the proceedings:
Manziel not working out "@NFLCharean: 33 scouts, including three GMs, are at A&M's Pro Day. GMs from Bills, Steelers and Rams."
— Brian Hall (@MNBrianHall) March 5, 2014 Evans declined to work out, instead meeting with the Patriots and 49ers in the past 24 hours. He told reporters that he feels certain to go in the Top 10.
It is possible RT @ChronBrianSmith: #Texas A&M's Mike Evans said he's hearing more and more he could be a top-10 pick in #NFL draft.
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 5, 2014 Matthews was worked through drills by Rams offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, who also worked with Greg Robinson at Auburn’s pro day. The Rams and Browns met privately with Matthews after the workout.
Deontae Skinner impresses for Mississippi State
Offensive guard Gabe Jackson participated only in position drills and did not run the 40. He ran a 5.34 at the Combine, one of the slowest times out of all offensive linemen.
Linebacker Deontae Skinner turned in 40 times of 4.68 and 4.75, recording a 33-inch vertical and 9.8-foot broad jump. Quarterback Tyler Russell did not workout due to a shoulder injury.
Dezmen Southward shines at Wisconsin workout
Wide receiver Jared Abrederris sat on his Combine time and did not run the 40, only taking part in position drills.
Linebacker Chris Borland ran an unofficial 40 time of 4.80 and had a 35-inch vertical leap, a slight improvement on his Combine numbers (4.83, 31”). The leader of Wisconsin’s defense, Borland showed up at the Combine smaller than expected at 245 pounds and 28 5/8-inch arms.
Safety Dezmen Southward was not invited to the Combine, so this was his first real chance to impress scouts. He did not disappoint, with one of the fastest 40 times of the day.
Consensus among NFL Scouts appears to be 4.35 on Dez Southward's 40-yard-dash
— Zack Miller (@miller_zack) March 5, 2014 Southward also had a 42-inch vertical leap and surprised some people with his performance.
#Badgers Director of Player Personnel, Henry Mason, on Dez Southward's performance: "I knew he was gonna be good, but not that good."
— Zack Miller (@miller_zack) March 5, 2014 Arkansas, Fordham, Northern Arizona also holding events
Results have yet to come in for these three schools. The most notable prospects at Arkansas are kicker Zach Hocker, defensive end Chris Smith and center Travis Swanson. Northern Arizona has running back Todd Bouman as its most likely player to be drafted, and running back Carlton Koonce is representing Fordham.
