UH’s Wilson on fast track after time in 40
Brandon Wilson just wants a chance.
After Monday’s showing at the University of Houston’s pro day — which included being clocked consistently in the mid-4.3s in the 40-yard dash — Wilson has given NFL teams several options to consider.
“Like they say, the more you can do, the better,” said Wilson, who was used primarily in the secondary and for kick returns during his college career. “Some teams want me to play defense. Some teams want me to play offense.”
Wilson, the Cougars’ do-everything playmaker, went through defensive back drills and was even asked to participate in some running back drills, an intriguing possibility after filling in for two games his junior season.
But all the talk was about Wilson’s performance in combine-style drills before representatives from all 32 NFL teams at UH’s Athletic-Alumni Center and TDECU Stadium. He wowed scouts with an official time of 4.36 seconds in the 40, which would have been the thirdbest among cornerbacks had he been invited to the NFL combine in early March.
His vertical jump (41 inches) and bench press reps of 225 pounds (24) would have been the most for his position group, and his 11 feet, 1-inch broad jump would have ranked second.
Before Monday, the 5-10, 198-pound Wilson was projected as a seventh round pick or undrafted free agent, according to NFLDraftScout.com. His stock will undoubtedly rise in advance of the April 27-29 draft.
“There’s kind of a wheelhouse to what they think you are going to do run-wise, jump-wise, measurement-wise,” UH coach Major Applewhite said. “And if something jumps out of that … if you go out and jump and hit a 4.3, that raises eyebrows.”
Greg Ward Jr. took part in pro day a few weeks after a lingering ankle injury kept him from participating at the NFL combine.
Ward, a quarterback making the transition back to receiver, was clocked at 4.58 in the 40-yard dash.
“I’m excited. This is a moment I’ve been waiting for my entire life,” said Ward, who was measured at 5-10 and 182 pounds.
Injury hinders TSU’s Griffin
Dealing with a strained left quadriceps, former Texas Southern wide receiver Derrick Griffin was unable to display much of his athleticism in front of 22 NFL teams at a pro day workout at Rice.
He was unable to run the 40-yard dash. Griffin was heavier and slightly shorter than advertised at 6-6¼ and 248 pounds after playing at 230 to 235 pounds at TSU and being listed at 6-7. Griffin managed only a 31-inch vertical leap and a 9-11 broad jump despite his high-flying, slam-dunking style on the basketball court, where he was named SWAC player of the year in 2015-16. The former Terry star and University of Miami and Texas A&M recruit bench pressed 225 pounds 11 times.
“The injury is really what messed everything up,” said Griffin, whose leg injury flared up recently. “I didn’t want to use that as no excuse, but it’s really bothering me. It’s really tight. I’m way faster than what I did.”
One NFL scout not authorized to speak publicly offered a blunt opinion on Griffin.
“He needed to put on a show, but where was the show?” the scout said. “I don’t think this kid is going to get drafted now, but I do think he can play in the league if he gets healthy and gets in better shape. I do think he’ll be in demand as a priority free agent. Injured or not, he just didn’t look prepared and there was a lot on the line for him.”
Griffin will get another chance April 8 at the Texans’ local prospect workout.
“Derrick didn’t test as well we’d hoped for,” said Bus Cook, Griffin’s agent. “It was a disappointing thing. He’s a tremendous athlete, very versatile, can do a lot of different things. He made some good catches, but he couldn’t run the way we’ve seen him run. He was a little heavy for what we’d hoped he would be, but he’s got some time before the draft. We’ll see where it goes.”
Rice’s Dillard just wants ‘a chance’
Rice’s Darik Dillard, teetering between a shot to make an NFL roster and entering the workforce, put his best foot forward Monday.
“All I want is a chance, man,” said Dillard, who also has a job offer from Shell Oil Company.
The running back was one of nine Owls taking part in the workout. Defensive back J.T. Blasingame, linebackers Alex Lyons and Tabari McGaskey, tight end Connor Cella, running back Jowan Davis, offensive lineman Brandon Dawkins, and defensive ends Derek Brown and Grant Peterson participated in drills as well.
Times and most results were not immediately available, but Darik bench pressed 225 pounds 16 times — four off from his personal best.
Darik, along with the rest of the group, have plans to attend the workout hosted by the Texans.