With pro days continuing across the country, news and rumors are coming in around some of the 2022 NFL Draft prospects. Today, Indiana and Tulsa took to the field, and there were some exciting results from both pro days. With a number of NFL teams on hand for the events, here is the latest I am hearing around league circles.
Pro Day News and Rumors: Indiana’s Micah McFadden did not disappoint
A host of teams were on hand in Bloomington for the Hoosiers’ Pro Day workout. Among the crowd were the linebacker coaches for the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. They were on hand to watch IU’s top prospect, Micah McFadden, who did not disappoint.
McFadden stood on his NFL Combine mark of 21 reps on the bench then sizzled in everything else. His 40 times ranged from 4.59 to 4.64, much better than expected. His short shuttle timed 4.21, and his three-cone drill was 6.88, which bettered any linebacker who finished the event at the Combine. Lastly, his vertical jump was 35 inches, and his broad jump was 9’10”.
Besides being impressive marks, they exceeded the expectations of scouts and planted McFadden squarely in the middle of Day 3.
Additionally, defensive tackle Weston Kramer completed 28 reps on the bench and touched 31 inches on the vertical jump.
The Tulsa Pro Day included representatives from all 32 teams
The league’s 32 teams were on hand for Tulsa’s Pro Day, including several decision-makers, primarily to watch offensive tackle Tyler Smith. The big blocker did not disappoint.
Those on hand included New England Patriots director of pro personnel Matt Groh, Minnesota Vikings director of college scouting Mike Sholiton, and New York Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown.
Also on hand was Zach Truty, the New York Jets player personnel executive and the team’s o-line and run game coordinator John Benton. Tennessee Titans director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort was on hand, as was the team’s offensive line coach Keith Carter. The Miami Dolphins had their assistant director of college scouting Matt Winston at the workout.
The workout was run at a local high school down the road from Tulsa, which did not have an indoor bubble. Thus, the track was slow and soft.
Tyler Smith drew much of the attention
Smith completed 25 reps on the bench press after his arms measured 34 1/4 inches, 1/4 inch longer than at the Combine. His 40 time ranged between 4.98-5.02, including an insanely quick 10-yard split of 1.68. He looked terrific in drills and was even better during interviews. Benton of the Jets ran part of Smith’s position workout.
Smith, who has dined with teams over the past three days, had more than a half dozen 1-on-1 meetings today, spending extensive time with the Dolphins and Eagles.
Those who met him tell me Smith is an impressive person besides being a terrific tackle prospect. He comes across as intelligent and someone who quickly picks up concepts. The belief is Smith could start at guard then move out to tackle as he grows and develops at the position.
I was told the Jets will try and have Smith meet with head coach Robert Saleh, but the big tackle may not be available when the team selects at the top of Round 2. The feeling leaving Tulsa’s Pro Day is the Dolphins or Titans could swipe him off the board late in Round 1.
Receiver Josh Johnson, who is still recovering from the ankle he badly sprained during Shrine Bowl week, timed in the mid 4.5s and participated in position drills. Johnson missed three weeks of training due to the ankle sprain and hopes to participate in the Oklahoma State Pro Day late this month.