Draft Dish: Gholston pro day reviews mixed
March 9, 2008
By Russ Lande
NFL personnel arrived at the Ohio State on-campus workout excited about how DE Vernon Gholston would perform. He no doubt looks the part, with a muscular, defined build. Gholston impressed many when he ran his 40 on field turf instead of Ohio State's notoriously fast track, timing a 4.63 and a 4.65. He then had a 37- to 38-inch vertical jump; anyone who reports he jumped 42 inches has bad sources, because the testing unit was slightly broken during his jump. Once on the field, though, Gholston was not nearly as impressive. He is so muscular and big that he struggled to bend his knees and sink his hips, which hindered his ability to change directions in drills. Gholston was not the only Buckeye to work out. OT Kirk Barton ran a good 40 on the fast track (in the 4.98 range, though there was some variance depending on the scout). However, he was not impressive in drills and did not make anyone think he is a better athlete than he has showed during games. ...
The reviews were mixed for Indiana's top two prospects at the Hoosiers' on-campus workout. Big WR James Hardy did not do many of the drills and refused to run a 60-yard shuttle, opting to rely on his performance at the Combine. He did have a vertical jump of 36 inches, and he turned in a decent workout. He was smooth and athletic running routes but double-caught most of the passes. He did not impress enough to climb into first-round territory. CB Tracy Porter ran well, clocking a 4.49 and 4.51 in the 40, and he looked athletic and quick-footed in drills. But he didn't knock anyone's socks off and raised concerns by displaying a lack of competitiveness, a trait he often showed on film but had improved upon during the Senior Bowl and Combine. Porter did not hurt or help himself much when the day was over and did not force himself into the conversation with the top cornerbacks. CB Leslie Majors and QB Blake Powers also worked out, but neither player impressed. Majors looked stiff in drills and consistently struggled to change directions and flip his hips. Powers is so big and muscular that he lacks the flexibility needed to torque and throw the ball accurately. ...
One lesser-known player who had a strong on-campus workout this week was Defiance College WR Luke Dillon, who worked out at the Ohio State pro day. A highly productive small-school receiver, he caught more than 90 passes in 2007 and grabbed some NFL scouts' attention. He definitely looked the part during his workout, when he clocked a 4.50 and 4.46 in the 40 on the fast track. Dillon was smooth and fluid throughout the workout, especially running routes and catching the ball. He has positioned himself to be a late-round consideration. ...
Kent State CB Jack Williams has a lot of supporters among NFL scouts, but coaches are going to have to be won over because of Williams' lack of height (5-9). He helped himself with a good workout, though, showing his speed with a 4.33 in the 40 and his athleticism with a vertical jump of 40 inches. Throughout his workout, he showed quick feet and an explosive burst after changing directions, qualities NFL teams covet. ...
Throughout the 2007 season, New Mexico WR Marcus Smith was viewed by many as a better prospect than teammate Travis Brown, which helped Smith earn an invite to the Senior Bowl. They both did well at their on-campus workout. Smith ran a 4.44 in the 40, but he only had a 29-inch vertical jump. Though Brown did not run as fast (4.49) as Smith, he had a 34-inch vertical jump. Both players caught the ball well and had solid workouts, but from what we heard Brown probably jumped ahead of Smith.
Russ Lande founded GM Jr. Scouting LLC, a football scouting service that analyzes NFL draft prospects for Sporting News.
March 9, 2008
By Russ Lande
NFL personnel arrived at the Ohio State on-campus workout excited about how DE Vernon Gholston would perform. He no doubt looks the part, with a muscular, defined build. Gholston impressed many when he ran his 40 on field turf instead of Ohio State's notoriously fast track, timing a 4.63 and a 4.65. He then had a 37- to 38-inch vertical jump; anyone who reports he jumped 42 inches has bad sources, because the testing unit was slightly broken during his jump. Once on the field, though, Gholston was not nearly as impressive. He is so muscular and big that he struggled to bend his knees and sink his hips, which hindered his ability to change directions in drills. Gholston was not the only Buckeye to work out. OT Kirk Barton ran a good 40 on the fast track (in the 4.98 range, though there was some variance depending on the scout). However, he was not impressive in drills and did not make anyone think he is a better athlete than he has showed during games. ...
The reviews were mixed for Indiana's top two prospects at the Hoosiers' on-campus workout. Big WR James Hardy did not do many of the drills and refused to run a 60-yard shuttle, opting to rely on his performance at the Combine. He did have a vertical jump of 36 inches, and he turned in a decent workout. He was smooth and athletic running routes but double-caught most of the passes. He did not impress enough to climb into first-round territory. CB Tracy Porter ran well, clocking a 4.49 and 4.51 in the 40, and he looked athletic and quick-footed in drills. But he didn't knock anyone's socks off and raised concerns by displaying a lack of competitiveness, a trait he often showed on film but had improved upon during the Senior Bowl and Combine. Porter did not hurt or help himself much when the day was over and did not force himself into the conversation with the top cornerbacks. CB Leslie Majors and QB Blake Powers also worked out, but neither player impressed. Majors looked stiff in drills and consistently struggled to change directions and flip his hips. Powers is so big and muscular that he lacks the flexibility needed to torque and throw the ball accurately. ...
One lesser-known player who had a strong on-campus workout this week was Defiance College WR Luke Dillon, who worked out at the Ohio State pro day. A highly productive small-school receiver, he caught more than 90 passes in 2007 and grabbed some NFL scouts' attention. He definitely looked the part during his workout, when he clocked a 4.50 and 4.46 in the 40 on the fast track. Dillon was smooth and fluid throughout the workout, especially running routes and catching the ball. He has positioned himself to be a late-round consideration. ...
Kent State CB Jack Williams has a lot of supporters among NFL scouts, but coaches are going to have to be won over because of Williams' lack of height (5-9). He helped himself with a good workout, though, showing his speed with a 4.33 in the 40 and his athleticism with a vertical jump of 40 inches. Throughout his workout, he showed quick feet and an explosive burst after changing directions, qualities NFL teams covet. ...
Throughout the 2007 season, New Mexico WR Marcus Smith was viewed by many as a better prospect than teammate Travis Brown, which helped Smith earn an invite to the Senior Bowl. They both did well at their on-campus workout. Smith ran a 4.44 in the 40, but he only had a 29-inch vertical jump. Though Brown did not run as fast (4.49) as Smith, he had a 34-inch vertical jump. Both players caught the ball well and had solid workouts, but from what we heard Brown probably jumped ahead of Smith.
Russ Lande founded GM Jr. Scouting LLC, a football scouting service that analyzes NFL draft prospects for Sporting News.
. OSU does have a very fast track but every report i've read has ahd Gholston lighting up his pro day and moving even higher in the draft. That guy obviously NEVER watched an OSU game if he says Gholston had a so-so year and his play didn't warrant a top pick. I'm sure if VG played for Bowling Green, or the likes, this guys would be hyping him. I'm using VG as my argument because i have seen him play every game but look at what the guys says about Avrill,Hardy, Porter, and every other name guy. He downplays the good and accentuates the bad. And how does the vertical measuring device malfunction? There's nothing to it.
that vaulted him into the top 10.
