Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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2012 NFL Scouting Combine bine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Feb. 22-28. Running back Jonas Gray was and is still undergoing physical rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to repair torn ligaments in his knee in early December and did not participate in most tests. Here's a look at how they performed: Six former Notre Dame players were invited to the 2012 NFL Scouting Com- lis. He hopes to be ready to run the 40-yard dash at Notre Dame's Pro Day on April 3. He hopes to have enough lateral strength and stability to compete in other drills. Right now, Gray could slip into the late rounds if his knee checks out, but he'll likely get a chance through free agency. Jonas Gray, RB Height: 5-10 Weight: 223 pounds Bench press: 20 repetitions (tied for 12th out of 21 running backs) Overview: Gray was seven pounds slimmer when he arrived in Indianapo- pared to prove he had NFL speed. He did exactly that with an impressive 40 time — one that may bump him up as the second WR picked in the first round of the NFL Draft in May behind former Oklahoma State star Justin Blackmon. Floyd was the heaviest wideout to run a sub-4.5 40 and was prob- ably on the first-round bubble before clocking that time. Michael Floyd, WR Height: 6-3 Weight: 220 pounds 40-yard dash: 4.47 seconds (13th out of 40 receivers) Bench press: 16 reps (tied for 17th out of 39) Vertical jump: 36.5 inches (tied for 15th out of 39) Broad jump: 122 inches (tied for 14th out of 36) Overview: Floyd was a few pounds lighter and came to the combine pre- combine, though his 40 time will likely be better at Notre Dame's Pro Day. He had a leg cramp in Indy, but powered through. Scouts were impressed with his drill work, but his size will be an issue moving forward. He could sneak into the late rounds, but will probably go undrafted. A free agent contract is likely. Darius Fleming, LB Height: 6-2 Weight: 245 pounds 40-yard dash: 4.72 seconds (16th out of 29) Bench Press: 27 reps (tied for sixth out of 29) Vertical Jump: 33.5 inches (tied for 18th out of 31) Three-cone Drill: 7.03 seconds (sixth out of 20) 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.28 seconds (tied for seventh out of 21) Overview: Fleming dropped 10 pounds and only helped himself at the Jonas Gray planned to show off his rehabilitated knee at Notre Dame's Pro Day on April 3. The former Irish running back attended the NFL Combine, but restricted himself to upper body exercises in Indianapolis. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND Taylor Dever, OT Height: 6-5 Weight: 298 pounds 40-yard dash: 5.46 seconds (40th out of 47 offensive linemen) Bench press: 18 reps (tied for 44th out of 48) Vertical jump: 28 inches (tied for 20th out of 46) Broad jump: 100.0 inches (tied for 25th out of 42) Three-cone drill: 7.49 seconds (tied for fourth out of 43) 20-yard shuttle: 4.90 seconds (tied for 31st out of 43) Overview: Dever weighed in three pounds lighter and failed to make a big splash in Indy. His bench press was surprisingly poor, and he'd probably like to have another crack at the 20-yard shuttle. Dever's agility was highlighted in the three-cone drill, which helped salvage an overall disappointing perfor- mance at the combine. He remains on course to get a shot as a free agent and try to prove his worth in a camp somewhere. www.BLUEANDGOLD.com Robert Blanton, DB Height: 6-1 Weight: 208 pounds Bench press: 12 reps (tied for 22nd out of 28) 40-yard dash: 4.70 seconds (30th out of 34) Vertical jump: 34 inches (tied for 18th out of 31) Broad jump: 116 inches (tied for 22nd out of 31) Three-cone drill: 6.71 seconds (tied for fifth out of 24) 20-Yard Shuttle: 3.97 seconds (tied for third out of 25) 60-Yard Shuttle: 11.28 seconds (tied for seventh out of 16) Overview: Blanton beefed up eight pounds and was happy with his perfor- mance, other than a subpar 40 time. Scouts are aware of his big-hit ability and athleticism despite average straight-line speed. The consensus is that Blanton will be used as a safety after lining up at corner throughout his Irish career. Teams are looking for reliable nickel and special teams players, and Blanton is that guy. It's probable he'll be drafted in the late rounds. at Lucas Oil Stadium. He looked chiseled and tore up drills to rave reviews, displaying great athleticism, quickness, agility and speed. His three-cone time was seventh best in the entire combine. Pro Day is more a formality for Smith at this point, when he'll try to improve his 40 and vertical and broad jumps. Breaking into the first round isn't impossible, but Smith, considered a mid-round guy before the combine, probably secured at least a spot in the second round. Harrison Smith, S Height: 6-2 Weight: 213 pounds Bench press: 19 reps (tied for seventh out of 18) 40-yard dash: 4.57 seconds (seventh out of 28) Vertical jump: 34.0 inches (tied for 10th out of 28) Broad jump: 122 inches (tied for 13th out of 28) Three-cone drill: 6.63 seconds (first out of 26) 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.12 seconds (second out of 27) Overview: Smith raised his stock considerably with a spectacular week — Wes Morgan APRIL 2012 17