AUBURN, Ala. -- Scouts representing 23 NFL teams were on The Plains Tuesday
for the Tigers' annual Pro Day, as 14 former Auburn football players
participated in a number of drills and tests hoping to earn a spot in
the upcoming NFL Draft.
Running back/return specialist Onterio McCalebb,
who had one of the fastest 40-yard dash times at the NFL Combine in
Indianapolis, said of Tuesday's workout. "It's always a blessing to go
out and compete and show everybody what you can do. I feel like I did
well. I really feel blessed to have been able to compete at Auburn one
more time. This is home to me."
McCalebb had a vertical jump of 37", a broad jump of 10'1", and 10
reps on the bench press in addition to his unofficial times in the
three-cone drill (6.92), long (11.17) and short (4.23) shuttles and the
40-yard dash (4.29) at Tuesday's Pro Day.
"I think I showed the scouts that I can play linebacker too," said Corey Lemonier,
who participated in only defensive position drills and the vertical
jump (34") after competing at the NFL Combine in February. "I have the
hips to do it. I think I have to get better out there with my technique.
The linebacker drills were different than the combine, but I believe I
proved I could do them too."
Tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen,
who is still recovering from surgery last fall, improved upon his marks
from the NFL Combine. "I think it went well today," Lutzenkirchen said.
"It felt good to get out there and run around. I'd say it was about the
same as the combine. I'm about two weeks to a month away from 100
percent. I'm right at four months post-op, and they say it's six months
to 100 percent, so I'm close. I'm glad our Pro Day was early, so now I
can get back to focusing on rehab." Lutzenkirchen's unofficial marks
Tuesday included: vertical jump (32"); 40-yard dash (4.96); broad jump
(9'4"); three-cone shuttle (7.12) and long shuttle (12.02).
Wide receiver Emory Blake
had a special advantage in the passing drills, as his father, NFL
All-Pro quarterback Jeff Blake, threw to him. "It was just playing pitch
and catch with my dad. I just had fun out there. Honestly, my dad
throws the most perfect ball I've ever caught." Blake, whose marks
included an unofficial 6.96 three-cone drill, 4.62 in the 40, 10'0" in
the broad jump and 36.5' in the vertical jump, feels his family's
experience with pro football will help him as well. "I've seen a lot of
the business side, and I know it's a grind in the league. Hopefully I
can land on a team that can use my skills."
Receiver Travante Stallworth
said, "I'm happy with the times I know. I'm just happy I still have my
speed after I tore my ACL, so I just want to let (the scouts) know I'm
still here." Stallworth had an unofficial 40 time of 4.48, a 9'9" broad
jump, a 35.5" vertical jump, a 6.90 three-cone time and 13 reps in the
bench press.
Safety T'Sharvan Bell said, "I think I did a really good job. I
talked to my agent afterwards, and he said he got a lot of good reports.
I think I did better than I thought I was going to do." Bell's bests
unofficially were a 6.93 three-cone drill, a 4.10 short shuttle, a 9'8"
broad jump and a 4.64 40 time.
"It's a lot different," said linebacker Jonathan Evans
of the preparation process. "I put in a lot of work over Christmas
break. It's been a long process, just day-in and day-out grinding and
working hard. I feel like I did pretty well. I did a lot of things
pretty well." Evans ran his 40 in an unofficial 4.71, and posted 14 reps
in the bench press, a 30" vertical jump, a 9'1" broad jump, a
three-cone time of 7.29 and a long shuttle time of 11.96.
Linebacker Daren Bates,
who had unofficial results of 4.53 seconds on the 40-yard dash, 15 reps
in the bench press, 33.5" in the vertical jump, 7.12 seconds in the
three-cone drill, 9'9" in the broad jump and 11.83 seconds in the long
shuttle, talked about his performance, including his work in the
defensive back position drills. "I just came and brought my all today.
Every day leading up to this was a grind. The best thing I showed them
today was that I can play safety. I did all right, but I could have done
better."
Offensive lineman A.J. Greene,
who last played at Auburn during the 2011 season, had 25 repetitions in
the bench press, a 29" vertical jump, an 8'7" broad jump, 5.35 40-yard
dash and a 7.82 three-cone shuttle (unofficial times). He was in
preseason camp last summer with the Chicago Bears, and wants to give a
professional career another chance.
"I'm just trying to finish up my degree. I was in Chicago before the
season, and I've been working hard ever since then. I think I showed the
scouts I can play. I re-enrolled before this semester and have one more
class to go until I graduate."
Others working out for the scouts Tuesday included receivers Deangelo Benton, Nate Taylor and Philip Pierre-Louis, offensive lineman John Sullen and kicker Chandler Brooks.
The 2013 NFL Draft takes place April 25-27 in New York City.
Mae Davis, Anthony Alfano, Evan Roberts and Scott Scroggins contributed to this www.auburntigers.com report.
© Former Auburn receiver had the unique opportunity to catch passes from his father and former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake during the Tigers' Pro Day on Tuesday. (abc3340.com)
© Emory Blake during Auburn's Pro Day Tuesday. (abc3340.com)
Running back Onterrio McCaleb ran a blistering 4.29 40-yard dash during the Auburn Pro Day. (abc3340.com)
Tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen ran a 4.96 40-yard dash Tuesday. (abc3340.com)
Offensive lineman John Sullen had a disappointing showing on bench press, recording only three repititions of 225 pounds. (abc3340.com)
