NFL Contigent on OSU's Campus for Pro Day
Pro Day is one of the most anticipated days in the offseason for the Oregon State football program, as nearly every NFL team has at least one representative converge on Corvallis to watch several former Beaver student-athletes workout in the Sports Performance Center and the Merritt Truax Indoor Center. The day is one of the few remaining for hopeful NFL players to impress before May’s Draft.
Three Beavers attended the NFL Combine in February, Brandin Cooks, Scott Crichton and Rashaad Reynolds. Those three performed specialty drills for individual scouts Friday, but generally did not participate in most activities after having impressive performances in Indianapolis. That left most of the day to former Beavers Josh Andrews, Steven Christian, Kevin Cummings, John Braun, Jovan Stevenson, Michael Philipp, Mana Rosa, Cody Vaz, Micah Hatfield, Dyllon Mafi, Sean Martin and Anthony Watkins to make an impression.
Hatfield, the former OSU wide receiver from Lake Oswego, torched the Merritt Truax Indoor Center turf recording unofficial times of 4.33 in 40, 3.96 in the agility run and 6.38 in the cone drill – all three marks were the best of the players who participated.
Cooks and Reynolds both performed drills for teams, including both fielding punts. Crichton and Mafi were put through numerous agility tests near the end of the day with several teams showing particular interest.
The Beavers figure to have three players drafted in May, with a host of others signing free agent contracts, led by Cooks, the 2013 Biletnikoff winner and consensus All-American wide receiver. The Pac-12 record setting wide receiver has been generally predicted to go in the late first round with the New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns mentioned as potential interested teams.
Crichton is generally predicted to be selected in the second or third round of the Draft, with one draft service listing him as the fourth-best end. Cornerback Rashaad Reynolds is the third Beaver who is currently among the potential NFL Draftees with his stock moving up to a third or fourth round pick.
OSU has had at least one player selected in the NFL Draft every year with the start of 2001. The Beavers had a record seven players selected in the 2009 draft.
Spring practice officially opens March 31 with the 15-day session that culminates with the Spring Football Showcase May 3 at Reser Stadium.
Deposits are being accepted for 2014 OSU season tickets for home games that include Portland State, San Diego State, Washington State, Arizona State, California, Utah and Oregon.
