TicketsMarch 19, 2009
Photo Gallery | Results | Pro Day Blog |
CINCINNATI - Fifteen seniors from the University of Cincinnati football team worked out at Nippert Stadium Thursday, as the Bearcats played host to their annual NFL Pro Timing Day.
After being measured and weighed, the players took part in the broad jump, vertical jump, 225-pound bench press, 40-yard dash, 20- and 60-yard shuttle runs, the three-cone drill, and individual position drills.
A pair of current NFL head coaches, Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals) and former UC assistant Rex Ryan (New York Jets), several current coordinators and position coaches, including former head coach Mike Tice (Jacksonville Jaguars), and a host of scouts from all NFL squads and media were on hand for the workouts, which took place under sunny skies on the Nippert turf.
"I thought they all did outstanding," director of football strength and conditioning Paul Longo said. "What was most impressive was that they were still acting like a team. They pushed each other all day, shouting encouragement during drills. They have not forgotten what it took to get here. Through 11 wins, a BIG EAST Championship, and a spot in the Orange Bowl, they've been a team."
Trevor Canfield had the top number in the bench press with 32 reps at 225 pounds. He also showcased a 32-inch vertical leap. Lamonte Nelms had 30 reps, which would have tied him for first among linebackers who worked out at the NFL Combine, which took place in late February in Indianapolis. Khalil El-Amin (29) and Ryan Manalac (28) were close on their heels.
Manalac (36.5) had the top vertical leap of the day and would have ranked fourth at the combine. He was followed by Corey Smith (36), Mike Mickens (35.5), and Torry Cornett (34). Manalac (10-4), Smith (10-3), and Nelms (10) held the top three slots in the broad jump.
Barwin, who worked out at tight end, defensive line, and linebacker, clocked a 4.66 40-yard dash at the combine, which ranked second best among defensive linemen and fourth-best among linebackers. His 4.47 today would have won him every category except running back (tied for third), cornerbacks (second), safeties (third) and wide receiver.
Corey Smith clocked 6.62 in the three-cone drill, which would have ranked as the fourth-best time among all players at the NFL Combine. DeAngelo Smith had a 6.81 clocking, the second-best time of the day.
Brandon Underwood's 60-yard shuttle run time of 11.18 would have ranked among the top five of all players at the combine. Dustin Grutza's 4.08 clocking in the 20-yard shuttle ranked tied for second among all times from the combine.
In individual drills, Dominick Goodman showed the pass-catching form that made him one of the top receivers in UC football history.
The 2009 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 25-26 in New York. Check GoBEARCATS.com for complete coverage leading up to the draft.
PRO DAY EXPLAINED:
- 40-Yard Dash
The 40-yard dash is a test of speed and explosion. The player starts from a three-point stance and runs 40 yards as fast as possible. The player is timed in 10, 20 and 40 yard increments, to gauge the player's explosion of the line and time to top speed. - Bench Press
All players, with the exception of quarterbacks and wide receivers, participate in this test of strength. The player's goal in this event is to bench press 225 pounds as many times as possible. - Vertical Jump
To measure vertical jump, a player stands flat-footed in front of pole with a multitude of plastic flags sticking out. The bottom of the pole is adjusted to the height of the player's fingertips when raised straight above his head. The player then jumps from a standing position, and tries to swat as many of the plastic flags as he can. The flags, staged every half inch on the pole, rotate and give the event judge a reading of the height the player jumped. - Broad Jump
The broad jump is also done from a standing position, but this drill measures how far a player can jump. This drill is most important to positions that use lower body strength to gain an advantage. The length of the jump is measured from the starting point to the back of the heel closest to the starting point upon landing. - 3-Cone Drill
Tests speed, agility and cutting ability. Three cones are set up in a triangle or L shape, with each cone 5 yards apart. The player starts in a 3-point stance at the first cone. The whistle blows and the player sprints 5 yards ahead to the first cone, reaches down and touches a white line and then sprints back to the starting cone. At the starting cone, he reaches down and touches a white line, then heads back to the second cone. This time, he runs around the outside of the second cone, and cuts right to the third cone. He runs a circle around the third cone from the inside to the outside, then runs around the second cone before returning to the first cone. - 20 Yard Shuttle
The 20 yard shuttle test lateral speed and coordination. The player starts in a three point stance, straddling a yard line facing the sideline. When the whistle blows, the player runs 5 yards to one side, touching the yard line. He then sprints 10 yards in the other direction and again touches the yard line, at which point he sprints back to the yard line he started from. - 60 Yard Shuttle
The 60 yard shuttle is basically the same drill as the 20 yard shuttle. The only difference is that instead of running 5 yards, 10 yards then 5 yards, the player runs 10 yards to one side, then back 20 yards and then 10 yards to the starting point. This drill is probably the best test of endurance. - Position Specific Drills
Maybe one of the best ways to test a player's ability to play a position is to run them at drills specifically designed for players of their position. Coaches and Scouts typically run the players through the drills, taking note as to their performance. These drills are typically overlooked for some of the other drills, like the 40 yard dash and bench press.