March 14, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Representatives from approximately 25 NFL teams were on campus Wednesday to evaluate 12 former University of Maryland football players at the team's annual Pro Timing Day.

It was one of the final opportunities for the Terps to dazzle the pro scouts and they did so in front of a crowd of former teammates and coaches, as well as family.

"I'm proud of our guys," head coach Ralph Friedgen said. "There is lot of tradition (with this day). The old guys come back and the young guys come out to see how their former teammates perform. It's a source of motivation and pride (for our program). We're proud of the guys we've sent to the NFL."

The former players who hope to become the next Terps to play at the next level, include RB Josh Allen, DL Conrad Bolston, RB T.D. Callahan, PK Dan Ennis, OL Stephon Heyer, RB J.P. Humber, QB Sam Hollenbach, LB David Holloway, WR Danny Melendez, P Adam Podlesh, CB Josh Wilson and DB Marcus Wimbush.

Pro Timing Day, which began at noon in the Gossett Team House, started out with a basic session of measurements, including height and weight, before moving to the strength test with a 225-pound bench press.

Holloway, who played in the Hula Bowl in January and was Maryland's third-leading tackler (70) last season, had 32 repetitions, while Heyer and Bolston each had 30.

The group moved to Cole Field House for speed and agility drills. Melendez, who completed his eligibility in 2005, had the highest vertical jump, reaching 40 inches. Wimbush, the Terps' fourth-leading tackler in 2006, was just off the pace at 39.5 inches, while Holloway cleared 37 inches.

Melendez produced the top time in the all-important 40-yard dash, clocking a 4.39. Allen, who missed all of 2005 with a serious knee injury, posted a solid 4.57 and Wimbush went the distance in 4.62 seconds.

Wilson, a 2006 honorable mention All-American, took part in only one event after spending a number of days at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Ind., under scrutiny by the pro teams. Wilson, who posted a time of 4.23 seconds in today's pro shuttle drill, was one of three Terps at last month's NFL Combine as he was joined by Podlesh and Heyer.

Wilson ran a 4.39 in the 40 and had 20 reps in the bench press at the NFL Combine.

"People put a lot of weight on Pro Timing Day, but there's a lot more that goes into it," Wilson said prior to running through on-the-field drills for the scouts. "How someone performed over four years has lot to do with it, as well. But you always want to put your best foot forward (no matter what you do), and this is another opportunity to show the scouts."

In the final analysis portion of the day, the pro scouts moved the Terps out to the practice field where they ran three different groups of players through individual drills.

Callahan, Holloway, Wilson and Wimbush had to display their ability to break on the ball, as well as speed in coverage, while Hollenbach threw to Allen, Humber and Melendez in passing drills.

All the players will continue to work out in hopes of improving their stock in the NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 28-29 in New York, N.Y.

"You never know who is really interested in you, so you just have to keep smiling," Wilson said of the prospects of his draft stock. "Just doing the minimum is not enough. If you want to be a special player, you have to do extra work."