March 17, 2008

McNeese State held a pro timing day for its senior football players Monday and most of the NFL teams had representatives on hand.

Seniors on the 2007 McNeese team as well as some from years past took part in the three hour workout that began at 9 a.m. and consisted of speed, agility and strength testing. All of the athletes were trying to impress the scouts prior to the NFL draft day.

Members from the school's 2007 Southland Conference championship team who took part were all-American Bryan Smith, Carlese Franklin, Marcus Brown, Darrick Brown, Jordy Johnson, Kris Bush, Jonathan Walker, Kody Knox, David Turnage, Trey Bennett and Bryant Mason.

Also going through the paces were Stephen Barrett, Vic Rogers, Ivan Stephenson and Henry Smith from other Cowboy teams as well as current McNeese track and field graduate assistant coach Jon Fagan.

Testing was done in the 225 pound bench press, the 40 yard dash, the vertical jump, the standing long jump and various agility running drills.

Turnage led all competitors in the 225 pound bench press with 32 consecutive presses. Bennett was next with 25 and Johnson turned in 20.

The Cowboys ran the 40 yard dash both with the wind and into the wind. Top times for those with the wind were a 4.35 by Marcus Brown, a 4.39 by Darrick Brown and a 4.39 by Stevenson.

Going against the wind, Darrick Brown ran a 4.50 and Marcus a 4.53.

The Browns also led in both the vertical and the long jumps. Marcus went 43 and one-half inches in the vertical jump and 11 feet six inches in the long jump and Darrick went 41 and one-half inches in the vertical and 11 feet seven inches in the long jump.

Bryan Smith, who is expected to be a high round draft choice during the NFL draft, benched 225 pounds 18 times, ran the 40 yard dash in 4.78 against the wind and 4.51 with the wind, had a vertical jump of 33 and one-half inch and a long jump of nine feet, nine inches.

Pictured are (kneeling left to right) Vic Rogers, Jordy Johnson, Henry Smith, Carlese Franklin, Kris Bush (standing left to right) Jonathan Walker, Bryan Smith, Jon Fagan, Marcus Brown, Kody Knox, David Turnage, Trey Bennett, Darrick Brown, Ivan Stevenson

NFL scouts at McNeese State's pro-day.