Luigs, Other Razorback NFL Hopefuls Take Part In Arkansas Pro Day

FAYETTEVILLE - By all accounts, Jonathan Luigs had a solid performance at last month's NFL combine.

Luigs, the 2007 Rimmington Award winner, isn't passing up opportunities to improve his standing, though. He's just one of a deep group of centers in what some regard as an otherwise weak 2009 class.

So any chance Luigs gets to improve his stock, he's trying to make the most of it.

That's why Luigs (6-4, 300) was one of 12 Razorbacks from the 2008 team to take part in Arkansas' Pro Day. Luigs didn't compete in all of the scouting exercises, but posted an improved time in the shuttle run and did position-specific work and film study for a handful of scouts.

It's all part of the grueling process that is preparing for the NFL Draft. Tuesday's pro day was a little more laid back that what Luigs said he experienced at the combine, but he's anxious for the April 25-26 draft to get here.

"It's been tough," Luigs said. "You kind of feel like a piece of meat sometimes, especially at the combine all the medical stuff you go through. I mean teams are investing a whole lot of money in you ...

"It's just part of the process. I'm working through it and just looking forward to getting a chance to play at the next level."



Luigs is considered a second-day prospect and could go in the fourth or fifth round. He was the most high profile prospect on hand for Tuesday's scouting exercise.

Only offensive tackle Jose Valdez (6-5, 319) joined Luigs in Indianapolis for last month's combine. Valdez, who is projected as a late-round pick or likely free agent signee, took part in the 40-yard dash, 226-pound bench press, shuttle run and three-cone drill.

Otherwise, the workout was short on star power.

It was a far cry from last year when future first-round picks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were on hand to perform in front of more than 50 NFL representatives, this year's pro day was much more low key. Only a handful of teams were represented, the Carolina Panthers were the only team to send a general manager and no head coaches were in attendance after the Chicago Bears sent Lovie Smith in 2008.



Most players who gathered for the pro day are hoping to land a free agent contract and a shot in training camp.

Tight end Andrew Davie (6-4, 256) impressed scouts with his athleticism and hands and ran a 4.72. Davie is thought of primarily as a blocking tight end, but displayed other abilities during the Tuesday morning session.

Davie, a former minor league baseball player before playing two seasons at Arkansas, also worked with scouts on deep snapping. It's something he did in high school and is trying to master before hopefully landing with a team.

"I think it's all about what all you can do for teams," said Davie said, who had six touchdowns in 24 receptions over two seasons. "I snapped in high school. ... I figured why not start working on it a little bit? I've been working on it about three weeks. I've got to fine-tune it a little bit."



Defensive back Jamar Love (6-1, 191) had arguably the most impressive showing when it came to speed. He ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash.

Defensive lineman Ernest Mitchell (6-1, 305) put up a whopping 35 repetitions in the 225-pound bench press.

(Arkansasrazorbacks.com has the full results of 2008 players who participated here).

Other players from the 2008 team to participate included: quarterbacks Casey Dick and Alex Mortensen, linebacker Elston Forte, defensive linemen Antwain Robinson and Cord Gray, defensive backs Walner Leandre and Dallas Washington.

A number of former players were on hand, including tailbacks Cedric Cobbs and Fred Talley. Safeties Kevin Woods and Matt Hewitt also participated.

Marcus Monk, who was drafted last year and cut by two teams, also performed. Monk took part in pass-catching drills, but no speed or agility testing.

Luigs nicely summed up the feelings of his fellow NFL hopefuls:

"Right now everybody is just kind of taking a guess at what's going to happen. When it comes to draft day, you don't know where you're going to go. ... Really, you try not to listen to what they say and just be you."