AUSTIN — Â The Texas Longhorns are no strangers to the NFL.
As of 2013 league rosters, they remain one of the top five programs producing NFL talent year after year.
So, on Tuesday at the Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletic Center, UT’s Pro Day took place.
I’ll break the players down into groups. 1st & 2nd Rounds, Mid-rounds (3-7), and undrafted free agents.
1st and 2nd Rounds :
Kenny Vaccaro, probably the first Longhorn to be selected in April’s draft, had a few hiccups. The 6-foot-0, 217 pound defensive back strained a hip-flexor at a workout for the Dallas Cowboys last Wednesday. Vaccaro couldn’t try to help his NFL combine 4.6 40-yard dash. He did, however, participate in the position drills and looked the part. As of right now, Vaccaro is the No. 1 safety prospect in the 2013 Draft.
Alex Okafor, the all-american defensive end, projects to go next, somewhere between the 20th overall pick to the mid 40’s. He clocked in at 6-foot-4, 262 pounds, ran a 4.7 unofficial 40-yard dash. and had a 31-inch vertical. Not great, but not bad. I still feel he’s a 4-3 scheme DE in the league. None of those measurements change that.
The next likely Texas’ player to be picked is wide receiver Marquis Goodwin. The former Olympian decided against challenging his 4.27 40-yard dash he ran at the NFL combine. I don’t blame him. Why mess up the single fastest time in the 2013 draft ?? Â He went from a 3-4th rounder to mid-late second rounder on that time alone. Just ask the Oakland Raiders. He measured in at 5-9, 177 pounds, and his 42-inch vertical was a sight to see.
Mid-rounds (3-7):
RB’s Jeremy Hills, and DJ Monroe fall into this category. Hills’ numbers on Tuesday were great, almost too good considering his use over the last five years. For the guy that broke his leg while scoring his only career touchdown, Hills checked in at 6-foot, 205 pounds. And his 40 time was all the buzz. A 4.38 got Hills from a UDFA to a late round pick all in, well, 4.38 seconds.
As for Monroe, who ran a 4.35 40-yard , and a 35-inch vertical, the fact he leaves Texas with the highest career YPC (yards per carry) in Longhorns history is telling. 7.3 yards per clip is almost a full yard past the next closest man. Think about that. Monroe was also responsible for a Twitter movement entitled “Free DJ”. The lack of touches that Monroe encountered at his time in Austin is downright criminal.
Brandon Moore finishes this list. Mainly, because he’s an anomaly. The guy stands 6-foot-5, 317 pounds and produced a 31-inch vertical jump today. That’s insane for a man his size. Problem is, that’s where his positives end. He’ll get drafted because of the premium put on interior lineman in the league, but don’t be surprised if he’s out of the league in two years. Effort is a big problem with this behemoth.
UDFA’s :
Finally, Vince. He was the real story today.
Everything I’ve read and heard coming out of Austin today is that Vince Young looks great. Can’t imagine there are 64 better QBs.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 26, 2013
After taking part in the same Pro day seven years before, Young came out confident, trimmed, and slinging the rock. I’ll be shocked if he’s not on an NFL roster come August. Already hearing the Raiders are very interested. And it’s hard not to pull for the guy. An absolute legend at UT, Young experienced early success in the NFL, winning Rookie of the Year, and leading the Titans to back-to-back playoffs. Then it all fell off. Now, the guy is giving it one last shot, and we wish him nothing but the best.
