Terps Test for NFL Scouts, Coaches
3/16/2005 7:00:00 AM | Football
March 16, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland football team hosted its annual Pro Day today, an opportunity for recently-departed Terrapins to show their wares to National Football League scouts and coaches. Today's event was the largest in the last five years for the Terps with over 70 scouts and coaches in attendance.
The primary focus today was on Shawne Merriman, the junior defensive end who declared early and has been projected to be a top 15-20 pick overall in the April 23-24 collegiate draft. But several of Merriman's teammates helped get themselves noticed today while several others had already put their work in prior to this afternoon's session.
Among those who likely helped themselves today were DB Ray Custis, WR/Spec. Curtis Williams, DB Chris Kelley and DB Reuben Haigler. Custis, the Terrapins' top "Iron Terp" the last two seasons, showed that his reputation as a workout warrior was not unfounded as he benched 225 pounds 25 times, posted the day's best vertical jump (42 ½ inches) and ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash.
Williams posted a 42-inch vertical jump and a 4.39 in the 40 at 205 pounds, making him a viable option for teams looking for a wide receiver, safety or special teams player. Kelley ran the fastest time he has ever run as a Terp, going as fast as a 4.46 after posting 20 reps at 225 and a 35-inch vertical. Finally, Haigler ran a 4.51, benched 25 reps and posted a 38-inch vertical.
Cornerback Domonique Foxworth was one player whose work was mostly done before today. Foxworth was one of the top five defensive backs in most categories at the Indianapolis combine earlier this month. Foxworth ran a 4.34 in the 40, jumped 42 inches, put 225 up 14 times and long jumped 10-5, likely making him a player who will be picked on the first day.
The most noticeable of all coaches and scouts today was the contingency from Kansas City as head coach Dick Vermeil was joined by defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham and President/CEO Carl Peterson.
Below are some of the numbers the Terps posted in today's workout:
Name Ht/Wt Bench V.Jmp. 40-yd. Dash* Rob Abiamiri 6-3/247 22 39 4.55 Jon Condo 6-2/244 14 32 4.95 Ray Custis 5-8/185 24 42.5 4.38 Kevin Eli 6-2/273 24 29 4.85 Reuben Haigler 5-9/189 21 38 4.51 Chris Kelley 6-0/204 20 35 4.46 Lou Lombardo 6-5/297 24 29 5.12 Sammy Maldonado 5-11/224 19 31.5 4.62 Shawne Merriman 6-4/274 DNT 40 4.60 Nick Novak 5-11/190 10 DNT DNT Rich Parson 5-9/186 14 35.5 4.50 Kyle Schmitt 6-4/295 23 26.5 5.46 Maurice Smith 5-10/226 26 36.5 5.0 Steve Suter 5-8/192 20 40 4.47 Curtis Williams 6-1/204 19 42 4.39Players who tested at the Indianapolis Combine: C.J. Brooks 6-5/310 -- -- 5.13 Dom. Foxworth 5-11/185 14 41 4.34
* 40-yard dash times are unofficial and use the best of two times run by each player; DNT=did not test today; C.J. Brooks' info from the NFL combine other than his 40 time were not available; Shawne Merriman's bench from the combine was unavailable; all other info from today (which did not include results from the shuttle or broad jump) is official.
