NFL scouts gathered at Carter-Finley Stadium Monday to evaluate the talents on the NC State football team at the program’s official Pro Day.
Monday gave an opportunity to the Wolfpack’s potential pro prospects to audition for a spot on an NFL team. For many, this day is their last performance before being picked up by a professional team.
Offensive lineman Rob Crisp and punter Wil Baumann participated at Pro Day despite already having performed these drills at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Baumann was one of only six punters invited to the combine and was happy to know that someone had appreciation for what he had accomplished on the field.
“It felt good to know that there was someone out there watching who saw something in me,” Baumann said. “It was good to know that I was doing something right.”
Baumann said his workout at the NC State Pro Day was much more enjoyable, as the Pro Day was located on the Wolfpack’s home turf.
“Being in your home stadium with all your friends around you definitely makes you feel more comfortable,” Baumann said.
Placekicker Niklas Sade also showcased his talents elsewhere before the Pro Day. The Wake Forest native kicked at the annual East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Sade said he was honored by the opportunity to play in the Shrine Game.
“It was a good experience,” Sade said. “We visited the children’s hospital, which was a unique experience that was pretty awesome. Besides that, getting to go out there and competing with guys from other colleges was pretty neat. Talking to scouts every day and getting your face out there was a great experience.”
Joining the NC State players at the Pro Day were a group of select players from smaller local schools, such as Fayetteville State.
The participating athletes spent the past weeks training in the weight room and on the field in preparation for the Pro Day. For most, Monday was the players’ only shot to impress NFL scouts in the hopes of making it to the next level.
The players went through drills in the Murphy Center before heading down to the field. Some of the on-field drills included the bench press at 225 pounds, the 40-yard dash, the vertical leap and the broad jump.
Offensive lineman Tyson Chandler had the best bench press, defensive tackle Art Norman had the highest vertical leap and wide receiver Bryan Underwood had the fastest 40-yard dash and the longest broad jump. No other results were posted, however, as the only people in attendance were the NFL scouts.
Defensive back Jarvis Byrd also participated, trying to make the most of his opportunity despite suffering three ACL tears in his career at NC State. Byrd looked very comfortable on the field, showing his leadership ability by jumping to the front of each line and being the first person through every drill.
“It’s a blessing,” Byrd said. “It felt great [getting back on the field]. That was my first time doing defensive back drills in a long time. When I was training, I didn’t want to put too much pressure on my knee so that when I came out here for Pro Day, I wouldn’t be sore, so I feel great overall.”
The Pack players hope to hear their names called at the NFL Draft which begins April 30 in Chicago, Illinois.
