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Pro Day at Purdue
Written by Rocky Sites Friday, 09 March 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana
Today’s Pro Day at Purdue University opened up and closed with all eyes on defensive end Anthony Spencer. The day was filled with defensive prospects, two offensive linemen, and a Division III quarterback.
The Mollenkopf Athletic Center was ready to go at 11:00 AM as measurements were taken, and the day began with the bench press. Anthony Spencer chose to stand pat on his combine numbers of 30 reps, and offensive lineman Uche Nwaneri with his 24 reps. Scouts were yawning away as 2006 NAIA National Player of the Year, linebacker Brian Kurtz at 213 pounds walked up to the bench, but they were gasping for air as he pumped out 22 reps at 225, the day’s. Other notables: Mike Otto 21, George Hall 20, Nick Cavallo 20, Dustin Hertel 19. From there the athletes went to the vertical jump.
At the vertical testing area, Madison Miller, defensive end, Indiana State had the highest jump of 32.5” and Purdue linebacker George Hall continued his solid workout with 31.5”. After the vertical, players immediately rotated to the broad jump, then the “main event” the 40, and finally the three cone, 20 yard and 60 yard shuttles which were led by the Dallas Cowboys. Not all the times of the 40 yard dash, 20 yard shuttle, 60 yard shuttle, and three cone drill were announced, but some impressive times were put in by: Anthony Spencer (4.64 in the 40), Madison Miller (4.68 and 4.68 in his two 40's) and George Hall (40, three cone, 20 yard shuttle).
Defensive lineman drills were led by the Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. A series of drills that tested player endurance, agility, and quickness was followed by structured pass rush drills to measure change of direction and instincts, and then strength tests where players challenged the Kansas City representative in five yard increments, and then freelance pass rushing drills that allowed the players to show their best rip, swim, spin, personal moves to get to the quarterback. DePauw University, Indiana, DE, Dustin Hertel, showed a good deal of athleticism and endurance in the first few defensive line drills. Spencer shined in the strength test, Madison Miller, DE, Indiana State, shined in the pass rushing drill that followed which tested instincts and change of direction. In the free lance pass rushing drills, Dustin Hertel showed a good deal of power, Madison Miller opened some eyes with impressive spin moves and quickness, and Anthony Spencer got to show why he led the nation with 26.5 tackles for loss and notched an impressive 10.5 sacks with his series of powerful moves combined with good quickness and an excellent burst, which made him the unmatched pass rusher at this event.
Everyone expected Spencer to shine in the defensive lineman drills, since he’s been on the line his entire career at Purdue, but scouts wanted to see if he could adapt and play a linebacker as well. As soon as the players walked out of the weight room, the Cleveland Browns were asking Spencer about the prospect of playing linebacker. The Browns led the linebacker drills which included Spencer along with Purdue linebackers Al Royal and George Hall, and St. Francis linebacker (2006 NAIA National POY) Brian Kurtz. So the big question, can Anthony Spencer play linebacker? Short answer, YES. Spencer showed good balance, fluidity in his hips, quick change of direction with a good burst, and solid recovery speed. True linebacker George Hall had the best workout in linebacker drills showing good quickness and great fluidity in his hips.
The two offensive linemen present, Mike Otto and Uche Nwaneri, worked out with the Jaguars and chiefs in offensive line drills. The Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Oakland Raiders were all keeping a close eye on the offensive line drills, as other team representatives were beginning to tire out and their attention was waning. Neither lineman was overly impressive. Nwaneri is still nursing a quad injury and did what he could, while Otto was solid, but still pretty raw and he is not a franchise tackle at this point. Otto is projected as a 3-4th round pick by one scout, and Uche could be a 5th rounder at best according to another.
Players who improved their stock: George Hall was very impressive throughout his workout. Other than Spencer, the star, and in this case breakout star, of this Pro Day was Madison Miller, DE, Indiana State. The Indianapolis native came in as a D-1AA throw-in and left making some great impressions showing good athleticism, quickness, and toughness (he appeared to injure his ankle during some agility drills). Miller, who posted two 4.68 40's at 6'4-1/2" 242 pounds, will also be working out Monday, March 12th at Indiana State so he gets an opportunity to reinforce his impressions on NFL teams. Anthony Spencer improved his 40 time from the combine, showed good linebacker skills, and by doing so solidified himself as a first round pick, and no worse than 35 to Cleveland.
No player really hurt their stock, they just didn’t improve it. NAIA National POY Brian Kurtz needed to show a little more speed than he did in his 40 and more quickness in his three cone, short shuttle and long shuttle, but he did impress with his strength and linebacker skills. Division III defensive end Dustin Hertel needed to open some eyes in agility and speed drills because it’s harder to rest on your years of film when you play at a Division III school, and he didn’t do that.
Other notes: Quarterback Justin Rummell from Division III Earlham College attended, did 18 lifts on the bench, participated in all agility drills, and took snaps from tackle Mike Otto which was supervised by the Miami Dolphins, but did not throw passes. Misinformation seemed to be a strategy employed by one AFC West scout. When speaking with a division rival about Boston College center Josh Beekman, one scout was bashing him possibly in hopes of changing the opinion of that team and stealing the player in the draft.
What team representatives were doing: The Cleveland Browns had extended discussions with Anthony Spencer. The Browns along with Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and Minnesota had extended discussions with Madison Miller.
In all, 18 teams attended and 11 prospects worked out in a successful Pro Day.
Written by Rocky Sites Friday, 09 March 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana
Today’s Pro Day at Purdue University opened up and closed with all eyes on defensive end Anthony Spencer. The day was filled with defensive prospects, two offensive linemen, and a Division III quarterback.
The Mollenkopf Athletic Center was ready to go at 11:00 AM as measurements were taken, and the day began with the bench press. Anthony Spencer chose to stand pat on his combine numbers of 30 reps, and offensive lineman Uche Nwaneri with his 24 reps. Scouts were yawning away as 2006 NAIA National Player of the Year, linebacker Brian Kurtz at 213 pounds walked up to the bench, but they were gasping for air as he pumped out 22 reps at 225, the day’s. Other notables: Mike Otto 21, George Hall 20, Nick Cavallo 20, Dustin Hertel 19. From there the athletes went to the vertical jump.
At the vertical testing area, Madison Miller, defensive end, Indiana State had the highest jump of 32.5” and Purdue linebacker George Hall continued his solid workout with 31.5”. After the vertical, players immediately rotated to the broad jump, then the “main event” the 40, and finally the three cone, 20 yard and 60 yard shuttles which were led by the Dallas Cowboys. Not all the times of the 40 yard dash, 20 yard shuttle, 60 yard shuttle, and three cone drill were announced, but some impressive times were put in by: Anthony Spencer (4.64 in the 40), Madison Miller (4.68 and 4.68 in his two 40's) and George Hall (40, three cone, 20 yard shuttle).
Defensive lineman drills were led by the Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. A series of drills that tested player endurance, agility, and quickness was followed by structured pass rush drills to measure change of direction and instincts, and then strength tests where players challenged the Kansas City representative in five yard increments, and then freelance pass rushing drills that allowed the players to show their best rip, swim, spin, personal moves to get to the quarterback. DePauw University, Indiana, DE, Dustin Hertel, showed a good deal of athleticism and endurance in the first few defensive line drills. Spencer shined in the strength test, Madison Miller, DE, Indiana State, shined in the pass rushing drill that followed which tested instincts and change of direction. In the free lance pass rushing drills, Dustin Hertel showed a good deal of power, Madison Miller opened some eyes with impressive spin moves and quickness, and Anthony Spencer got to show why he led the nation with 26.5 tackles for loss and notched an impressive 10.5 sacks with his series of powerful moves combined with good quickness and an excellent burst, which made him the unmatched pass rusher at this event.
Everyone expected Spencer to shine in the defensive lineman drills, since he’s been on the line his entire career at Purdue, but scouts wanted to see if he could adapt and play a linebacker as well. As soon as the players walked out of the weight room, the Cleveland Browns were asking Spencer about the prospect of playing linebacker. The Browns led the linebacker drills which included Spencer along with Purdue linebackers Al Royal and George Hall, and St. Francis linebacker (2006 NAIA National POY) Brian Kurtz. So the big question, can Anthony Spencer play linebacker? Short answer, YES. Spencer showed good balance, fluidity in his hips, quick change of direction with a good burst, and solid recovery speed. True linebacker George Hall had the best workout in linebacker drills showing good quickness and great fluidity in his hips.
The two offensive linemen present, Mike Otto and Uche Nwaneri, worked out with the Jaguars and chiefs in offensive line drills. The Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Oakland Raiders were all keeping a close eye on the offensive line drills, as other team representatives were beginning to tire out and their attention was waning. Neither lineman was overly impressive. Nwaneri is still nursing a quad injury and did what he could, while Otto was solid, but still pretty raw and he is not a franchise tackle at this point. Otto is projected as a 3-4th round pick by one scout, and Uche could be a 5th rounder at best according to another.
Players who improved their stock: George Hall was very impressive throughout his workout. Other than Spencer, the star, and in this case breakout star, of this Pro Day was Madison Miller, DE, Indiana State. The Indianapolis native came in as a D-1AA throw-in and left making some great impressions showing good athleticism, quickness, and toughness (he appeared to injure his ankle during some agility drills). Miller, who posted two 4.68 40's at 6'4-1/2" 242 pounds, will also be working out Monday, March 12th at Indiana State so he gets an opportunity to reinforce his impressions on NFL teams. Anthony Spencer improved his 40 time from the combine, showed good linebacker skills, and by doing so solidified himself as a first round pick, and no worse than 35 to Cleveland.
No player really hurt their stock, they just didn’t improve it. NAIA National POY Brian Kurtz needed to show a little more speed than he did in his 40 and more quickness in his three cone, short shuttle and long shuttle, but he did impress with his strength and linebacker skills. Division III defensive end Dustin Hertel needed to open some eyes in agility and speed drills because it’s harder to rest on your years of film when you play at a Division III school, and he didn’t do that.
Other notes: Quarterback Justin Rummell from Division III Earlham College attended, did 18 lifts on the bench, participated in all agility drills, and took snaps from tackle Mike Otto which was supervised by the Miami Dolphins, but did not throw passes. Misinformation seemed to be a strategy employed by one AFC West scout. When speaking with a division rival about Boston College center Josh Beekman, one scout was bashing him possibly in hopes of changing the opinion of that team and stealing the player in the draft.
What team representatives were doing: The Cleveland Browns had extended discussions with Anthony Spencer. The Browns along with Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and Minnesota had extended discussions with Madison Miller.
In all, 18 teams attended and 11 prospects worked out in a successful Pro Day.
