The fourth annual Pro Day provided some welcomed exposure for Philadelphia area prospects fighting for a roster spot next year in the NFL.
Ten players, including five Quakers, worked out in front of numerous NFL scouts yesterday afternoon.
The players began by going through measured exercises such as bench press, vertical leap and long jump and were even tested in flexibility.
After the original tests, the scouts, including representatives from the 49ers, Giants, Colts, Jaguars, Titans and Jets, put the players through timed drills measuring speed, agility and acceleration. These exercises were originally supposed to be held on Franklin Field, but due to the weather conditions, virtually all of the workouts were held indoors at Hollenback Annex. The field temperature was in the twenties and the windchill just added to the cold.
The first of these tests was the 40-yard dash, which is the classic measure of speed in the NFL scouting process. This time is vital to the success of many players, determining whether or not they get drafted or selected to an NFL camp. A tenth of a second can mean the difference between a seven-figure contract and playing in the Arena Football League.
Next the players went through drills testing their acceleration and agility called the "three-cone shuttle", where each player had to maneuver his way around three cones spread about ten feet apart, and the "20-yard pro shuttle" involving running back and forth for 20 yards similar to a "suicide drill".
"They're pretty important especially for someone of my position," Penn cornerback Duvol Thompson said of the drills. "You just gotta be quick, that's what shuttle drills and the 40 times are for. There are some receivers [in the NFL] who are pretty fast, and as a [defensive back] if you're not fast enough you're a risk to be out there."
Thompson was perhaps the main attraction during Pro Day. While he is not the classic "primetime" cornerback who can get double-digit interceptions and shut down the opposing teams best player, Thompson did have a brilliant four-year career at Penn. He was a first-team All-Ivy League selection the last two seasons.
Thompson also got significant playing time in the 2005 Hula Bowl, where he was one of only two Ivy Leaguers to make the roster. The cornerback has great athleticism, something that has drawn attention from NFL scouts.
"He's athletic, he's got explosion, he can jump, he's a good looking kid and he's a decent 40-guy," San Francisco 49ers regional scout Todd Brunner said about Thompson. "He's got ability like that, and a guy like him has a chance because of his explosion, his athletic ability and his work ethic."
Wide receiver Dan Castles is another player trying to catch the eye of some scouts in order to make an NFL camp come summer. Castles was Penn's major offensive threat last season and has put together an impressive resume in his career. Last year, he caught 70 passes for 966 yards and eight touchdowns. With 2,444 yards and 27 TDs for his career, Castles is second all-time for the Quakers in receiving yards, and first all-time in TDs.
He is an attractive pickup at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, but his speed may be an issue; his 4.60-second 40 may not be fast enough, and he still needs to impress the scouts in order to make an NFL roster. Castles was satisfied with his performance, and thought he got off on the right foot.
"I felt good, I think I did my best," Castles said. "I worked hard, and hopefully it pays off. My ability to jump and catch the ball is what I did best in college, and hopefully I can do it on the next level."
Another Penn player getting interest from NFL teams is punter Josh Appell. While few punters get drafted each year, Appell is hoping he will get picked up by a team come time for training camp. The Packers, Broncos, Ravens, 49ers, and Giants have all shown interest in him, and he has a good chance of getting the opportunity to compete for a roster spot, if not a starting job.
The two other Quakers at Pro Day were defensive tackle Michael Sangobowale and offensive tackle Chris Kupchick. Sangobowale recorded 43 tackles, 9 of them for losses, and had 4.5 sacks last season. Kupchick, a 2004 graduate, started 10 games in 2002 and eight in 2003, paving the way for the Quaker's solid running game.
