Killings turns heads at pro day
Shaquill Griffin is the crown jewel for UCF in the upcoming draft class, but during the Knights’ Pro Day Wednesday, one player might have emerged as a diamond in the rough.
Defensive back D.J. Killings had an exceptional workout, drawing oohs and ahhs in front of 23 NFL representatives and three CFL teams.
“Today was very important,” Killings said. “I feel great. I got everything I wanted to get. All of [my workouts] were personal records. It was great.”
Killings wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, so he took advantage of his opportunity at UCF.
He mentioned a couple of scouts clocked him at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash. For reference, his time would’ve been tied for fourth fastest at the combine with Griffin.
And his 22 reps on the bench press would’ve been tied for the most of any defensive back with Lamar’s Brendan Langley.
Combined with a good showing during field drills, Killings demonstrated he can overcome his perceived flaws.
“I had some good film, but my body and my strength was up in the air,” he said. “Everybody knew my drills were going to be good. They didn’t know how strong or how fast I really was and I think I proved that today.”
Defensive back Jeremy Boykins was another player who earned attention during workouts. Boykins ran well and was good during field drills.
Killings was also praised by Griffin for his work ethic in the film room.
Griffin, who only did drills and didn’t run as expected after posting a 4.38 second 40-yard dash at the combine, said he would seek out Killings’ advice when it came to football terminology.
“D.J. is a genius in the room,” Griffin said. “To me, that’s who led our room. That’s the person I went to. When I didn’t know something, I’m going to D.J. first. And that’s what he brings to a team. Nobody knows just how smart he is and D.J. is going to work. He doesn't like getting beat and that’s the reason why I stuck with him since our freshman year.”
Now, it’s a waiting process for Killings.
He wasn’t receiving a lot of attention leading up to Wednesday, but he’s more likely to get calls now and possibly join teams’ draft boards.
“Before this started, I talked to a few [representatives] at the Tropical Bowl, but it wasn’t really going,” Killings said. “But now I think it’s going to pick up a lot after today. Hopefully, I get a few visits, I get a few workouts and get on some draft boards. Just going with the flow.”