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Former Jayhawks aim to impress NFL scouts at Pro Day
EmailComment (1)PrintFacebookDiggDelicious.By Matt Tait
March 10, 2010
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/mar/10/former-jayhawks-aim-impress-nfl-scouts-pro-day/?sports
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KU football Pro Day lineup
Here’s a list of Kansas University football players expected to participate at today’s Pro Day at Anschutz Pavilion:
Long snapper Kayl Anderson,
DT Caleb Blakesley,
WR Dezmon Briscoe,
WR Kerry Meier,
DE Maxwell Onyegbule,
WR Raimond Pendleton,
QB Todd Reesing,
LB Jake Schermer,
RB Jake Sharp,
DL Dustin Spears,
S Darrell Stuckey,
S Justin Thornton,
DE Jeff Wheeler
LB Arist Wright.
NFL scouts already evaluated Darrell Stuckey, Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier at the combine last month in Indianapolis, but there’s a different group of Kansas University football players waiting for their turn under the microscope.
Today is a big day for a handful of KU seniors who are holding onto the dream of playing in the NFL, holding it so tightly that they’ve actually worked harder in the three months since their college careers ended than they did during their four years in uniform. So what will become of the Jake Sharps, Justin Thorntons and Maxwell Onyegbules of the world? How will these guys make a lasting impression with NFL scouts?
It’s called Pro Timing Day and it begins at 10:30 a.m. Fourteen former Jayhawks — including Briscoe, Meier and Stuckey — will go through a series of measurements, tests and drills in front of NFL scouts at KU’s Anschutz Pavilion, all in the name of impressing them enough to earn a shot at pro football.
“I feel fortunate to have a lot of good guys (also working out), with Kerry (Meier) coming back and Todd (Reesing),” said Thornton, 6-foot-1, 213 pounds. “I feel like a lot of different teams will be represented and it’s a good chance to show what we can do.”
For Thornton, the weeks leading up to Pro Day have been spent dropping weight and fine-tuning skills.
“I wanted to get my weight down to make sure that I could run a decent 40 time and feel comfortable running around,” he said. “When it comes to running around and testing, I like to be right around 200.”
Thornton’s goal today is to run a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, fast even by NFL standards.
“I feel like that’ll definitely give me a shot to play at the next level,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of great game film for teams to watch and I’m just excited to see where it takes me.”
Sharp enters today’s timing day in a similar situation. Although he may not stand out in any of the pre-Draft rankings, Sharp hopes his performance at Pro Day will change that.
“Speed’s my tool,” he said. “If I can match the same 40 time I threw down last spring, I’ll have a really good shot of playing somewhere. I ran a 4.30. That time was averaged out but there were a couple of 4.2’s in there, too.”
Considering that the fastest 40 time at this year’s NFL combine was 4.28 seconds, that kind of blazing speed might get Sharp a look at the highest level, perhaps as a return man or third-down back.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their futures, both Sharp and Thornton say they want to continue playing football as long as they can.
“You never know what you’re going to do on certain days,” Sharp said. “But if I perform the way I think I can perform, I’m going to get a chance to play in some pretty high leagues. I’m definitely excited.”
Added Thornton: “It’s been a little nerve-racking these last two weeks. I’m not sure what’s going to happen and I haven’t really talked to a whole lot of people yet. But hopefully I’ll be able to turn some heads and maybe start getting some calls.”
Both players are in good company. Sharp is represented by James Selmer, who also is the agent for former KU linebacker Mike Rivera. Thornton is represented by Jim Naughton, who represents former KU linebacker James Holt. Both Holt and Rivera signed NFL contracts after leaving Kansas, Holt with the San Diego Chargers and Rivera with the Chicago Bears.
The 2010 NFL Draft will take place April 22-24 in New York.
Kansas to add kicker
Rivals.com reported late Tuesday that Ronnie Doherty, a senior kicker from Klein High in Klein, Texas, has decided to join the Jayhawks as a preferred walk-on.
Doherty, 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, carries a two-star rating. The site reported that his longest made field goal was from 49 yards.
EmailComment (1)PrintFacebookDiggDelicious.By Matt Tait
March 10, 2010
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/mar/10/former-jayhawks-aim-impress-nfl-scouts-pro-day/?sports
Advertisement
KU football Pro Day lineup
Here’s a list of Kansas University football players expected to participate at today’s Pro Day at Anschutz Pavilion:
Long snapper Kayl Anderson,
DT Caleb Blakesley,
WR Dezmon Briscoe,
WR Kerry Meier,
DE Maxwell Onyegbule,
WR Raimond Pendleton,
QB Todd Reesing,
LB Jake Schermer,
RB Jake Sharp,
DL Dustin Spears,
S Darrell Stuckey,
S Justin Thornton,
DE Jeff Wheeler
LB Arist Wright.
NFL scouts already evaluated Darrell Stuckey, Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier at the combine last month in Indianapolis, but there’s a different group of Kansas University football players waiting for their turn under the microscope.
Today is a big day for a handful of KU seniors who are holding onto the dream of playing in the NFL, holding it so tightly that they’ve actually worked harder in the three months since their college careers ended than they did during their four years in uniform. So what will become of the Jake Sharps, Justin Thorntons and Maxwell Onyegbules of the world? How will these guys make a lasting impression with NFL scouts?
It’s called Pro Timing Day and it begins at 10:30 a.m. Fourteen former Jayhawks — including Briscoe, Meier and Stuckey — will go through a series of measurements, tests and drills in front of NFL scouts at KU’s Anschutz Pavilion, all in the name of impressing them enough to earn a shot at pro football.
“I feel fortunate to have a lot of good guys (also working out), with Kerry (Meier) coming back and Todd (Reesing),” said Thornton, 6-foot-1, 213 pounds. “I feel like a lot of different teams will be represented and it’s a good chance to show what we can do.”
For Thornton, the weeks leading up to Pro Day have been spent dropping weight and fine-tuning skills.
“I wanted to get my weight down to make sure that I could run a decent 40 time and feel comfortable running around,” he said. “When it comes to running around and testing, I like to be right around 200.”
Thornton’s goal today is to run a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, fast even by NFL standards.
“I feel like that’ll definitely give me a shot to play at the next level,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of great game film for teams to watch and I’m just excited to see where it takes me.”
Sharp enters today’s timing day in a similar situation. Although he may not stand out in any of the pre-Draft rankings, Sharp hopes his performance at Pro Day will change that.
“Speed’s my tool,” he said. “If I can match the same 40 time I threw down last spring, I’ll have a really good shot of playing somewhere. I ran a 4.30. That time was averaged out but there were a couple of 4.2’s in there, too.”
Considering that the fastest 40 time at this year’s NFL combine was 4.28 seconds, that kind of blazing speed might get Sharp a look at the highest level, perhaps as a return man or third-down back.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their futures, both Sharp and Thornton say they want to continue playing football as long as they can.
“You never know what you’re going to do on certain days,” Sharp said. “But if I perform the way I think I can perform, I’m going to get a chance to play in some pretty high leagues. I’m definitely excited.”
Added Thornton: “It’s been a little nerve-racking these last two weeks. I’m not sure what’s going to happen and I haven’t really talked to a whole lot of people yet. But hopefully I’ll be able to turn some heads and maybe start getting some calls.”
Both players are in good company. Sharp is represented by James Selmer, who also is the agent for former KU linebacker Mike Rivera. Thornton is represented by Jim Naughton, who represents former KU linebacker James Holt. Both Holt and Rivera signed NFL contracts after leaving Kansas, Holt with the San Diego Chargers and Rivera with the Chicago Bears.
The 2010 NFL Draft will take place April 22-24 in New York.
Kansas to add kicker
Rivals.com reported late Tuesday that Ronnie Doherty, a senior kicker from Klein High in Klein, Texas, has decided to join the Jayhawks as a preferred walk-on.
Doherty, 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, carries a two-star rating. The site reported that his longest made field goal was from 49 yards.