Jyles Tucker/DL/Wake Forest
A two-year starter who played out of position
at defensive tackle for Wake Forest, NFL scouts liken Tucker's ability to Dallas
Cowboy defender Demarcus Ware. Tucker totaled 35-tackles with 6.5 tackles
for loss and 6 sacks as a senior and many in the scouting community were
surprised he was not invited to last month's combine. Measuring in at
6-feet-3-inches, 268-pounds, Tucker is expected to run near the 4.7-second mark
at his pro-day, which is today, March 19th. The New York Jets have
been very hot on his trail and project Tucker as a rush linebacker for their 34
alignment.
Jacob Bender/OT/Nicholls State
It still amazes us Bender has flown below
the radar screen. A three-year starter at left tackle twice named as an
All Conference selection, Bender moves like a power-forward on the football
field. At 6-feet-6-inches and 317 pounds, more than a dozen NFL teams went
to view his pro-day this weekend. Bender did not disappoint running a
5.03-forty, 4.47 short shuttle, completing 27 repetitions on the bench then turning in a 30-inch vertical jump. And while teams presently project
Bender as a left-tackle, his size coupled with growth potential make a move to
the strong-side a possibility. The New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns
and New York Jets have all set up one-on-one interviews with the athletic
blocker.
Calvin Bannister/CB/Hampton
While Travarous Bain
is the better known cornerback from Hampton, there are many who feel Bannister is
the better football player. During his pro-day last week he measured in at
5-feet-7.5-inches and 182 pounds then proceeded to run in the high 4.3's in the
forty and post a 39.5-inch vertical jump. While some are
concerned about his height, many favorably compare Bannister to the undersized
but productive Jason David, now playing for the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.
Courtney Brown/CB/Cal-Poly
Brown has garnered a lot of interest since participating
at San Jose State's pro-day just a few weeks ago. Measuring just over
6-feet-1-inch and 196-pounds, Brown twice broke the 4.4-second barrier when he
ran for scouts. Ironically, the reason
why he was not invited to the combine was the "lack of speed" according
to officials. Brown is set to workout again on March 29th at
the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. At this stage he has
additional workouts set-up with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and will be visiting
the Seattle Seahawks.
Brent Celek/TE/Cincinnati
Always considered a solid pass catching tight
end, more production was expected from Celek last year. His 35-receptions were only
three better than what he produced as a junior. Since the season ended
Celek has worked with former NFL passer Steve DeBerg on improving his
play-making skills. Considered a "move" tight end, he is expected to
run under 4.7-seconds during workouts. The Jets along with the Seattle
Seahawks and Chicago Bears are planning upcoming workouts for Celek.
Justise Hairston/RB/Central Connecticut
The former Rutgers ball carrier has garnered a
lot of interest recently. Hairston rushed for 1,874-yards and twenty scores last
season. He is being looked at as a complimentary ball carrier by most
teams. The New York Giants individually worked him out today while
the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers will be
visiting with Hairston next week.