Friday is a big day for several former Kansas University football players hoping to make a name for themselves with pro scouts.
The Jayhawks annual Pro Timing Day will run from 10:30 a.m. to about 1 p.m. and will feature all of the same types of drills that took place at the NFL Combine last month.
Two Jayhawks who participated at the Combine — Tanner Hawkinson and Bradley McDougald — are expected to go through a few of the drills to try to enhance their Combine numbers. The rest of the Jayhawks expected to compete are guys who are hoping to enhance their draft stock and/or prove that they’re worthy of free agent contracts following April’s draft.
During the past few years, this event typically has drawn representatives from 6-12 different NFL teams. However, because of the fact that longtime NFL assistant coach Charlie Weis is now KU’s head coach — not to mention longtime NFL coach Dave Campo as the defensive coordinator — this year’s pro day is expected to draw interest from nearly twice that many teams, perhaps more.
A good showing Friday in the 40-yard dash or the bench press or vertical jump test does not guarantee these guys anything. Many of them already are on the radar of NFL teams because of their postseason all-star game performances. Others are hoping Friday is the day they wow the scouts. After all, it only takes one team to like you, as former Jayhawks and undrafted free agents Chris Harris (now a starter with the Denver Broncos) and Steven Johnson (a special teams regular with Denver) have proven.
Here’s a quick glance at the guys who will participate:
**Tunde Bakare, LB**
**Skinny:** Hard-charging linebacker determined to make it in honor of his brother, Omani, who passed away a few years ago.
**Top skills:** Speed. Physicality. Determination.
**Prediction:** Bakare’s mix of speed, power and drive should earn him an invitation to a camp as an undrafted free agent.
**D.J. Beshears, WR**
**Skinny:** Undersized wide receiver who made a living using his power and speed to roll through and by defenders.
**Top skills:** Speed. Toughness.
**Prediction:** If he tests well, Beshears may get a look as a kick returner but is most likely destined to seek playing time in another league, perhaps the Arena League or the Canadian Football League.
**Greg Brown, CB**
**Skinny:** “Lockdown Brown” never quite lived up to that nickname in college but it wasn’t for lack of opportunity. Faced the Big 12’s best week-in and week-out for two straight years and that should him ready for what’s ahead.
**Top skills:** Closing speed. Athleticism. Vision.
**Prediction:** I like Brown’s chances to make a roster and think he’ll have to do it the same way his good friend Chris Harris did — as an undrafted free agent.
**Dayne Crist, QB**
**Skinny:** Crist’s trouble at KU are well-documented, but just because he struggled during his second senior season does not mean he’s out of the mix to make an NFL roster. He did well in postseason all-star games and if he tests well, which I fully expect he will, someone may be intrigued enough to give him a shot.
**Top skills:** Size. Arm strength. Football IQ.
**Prediction:** I think Crist’s skill set along with an endorsement from Charlie Weis allow him to catch on somewhere. He won’t be drafted, he might not make a team, but I think he’ll get a shot and I could see him being a practice squad guy with the potential to move up.
**Tanner Hawkinson, OL**
**Skinny:** Four-year starter at tackle has a solid mix of size and athleticism and is very much on the NFL radar.
**Top skills:** Footwork. Consistency. Athleticism. Versatility. Intelligence.
**Prediction:** If Hawkinson were just a bit stronger, he’d be a second- or third-round pick. As it stands, I think he’ll go in the fourth or fifth round. The scouts I’ve talked to like what he brings to the table.
**Trevor Marrongelli, OL**
**Skinny:** Anchor of KU’s line last season at center, who also has experience playing guard. Undersized by NFL standards, but a tireless worker who’ll give it everything he has.
**Top skills:** Intelligence. Versatility. Work ethic.
**Prediction:** Great dude, but my guess here is that Marrongelli ends up being just another solid college player and puts his degree to work.
**Bradley McDougald, S**
**Skinny:** The move from wide receiver to safety changed McDougald’s future. As a receiver, he would’ve had, at best, an outside shot at getting picked up by an NFL team. As a safety, he’s a likely draft pick.
**Top skills:** Athleticism. Strength. Power. Hands.
**Prediction:** It’s hard to say if McDougald will be selected in April’s draft before or after Hawkinson, but I definitely believe he’ll be picked. And I also believe he’ll go on to have a solid NFL career.
**Toben Opurum, DL**
**Skinny:** Still relatively new to defense, but has good strength and plays at a high speed.
**Top skills:** Versatility. Intelligence. Motor.
**Prediction:** Opurum may not have a true position on defense in the NFL, but there still exists the possibility that the former KU running back could catch on as an NFL fullback.
**Daymond Patterson, WR**
**Skinny:** Electric play-maker in the open field who uses speed and quickness to make up for what he lacks in the way of size.
**Top skills:** Elusiveness. Speed. Confidence.
**Prediction:** Patterson may get a look as a punt or kickoff return specialist.
**Kale Pick, WR**
**Skinny:** All-around good athlete who was one of the hardest working guys on the team throughout his college career and benefits as a WR from previous QB experience.
**Top skills:** Intelligence. Hands.
**Prediction:** Pick could be viewed as an intriguing prospect because he is so reliable.
**Mike Ragone, TE**
**Skinny:** Former Notre Dame player who played one season at KU and stayed healthy for the first time in ages.
**Top skills:** Blocking. Toughness. Heart.
**Prediction:** Ragone will give it all he has but his body may not be where it needs to be to land a roster spot.
**Lubbock Smith, S**
**Skinny:** Longtime contributor in KU’s secondary battled injuries throughout his career but always kept battling.
**Top skills:** Physical. Relentless. Versatile.
**Prediction:** Smith’s a better athlete than he’s given credit for but whether that translates to the NFL is another question.
**Josh Williams, DE**
**Skinny:** Former Nebraska defensive end started every game during his lone season in Lawrence.
**Top skills:** Size. Intelligence.
**Prediction:** Williams figures to be invited to training camp.
**Duane Zlatnik, OL**
**Skinny:** Widely regarded as one of the strongest players on KU’s roster, Zlatnik was flat-out dominant at times during his junior and senior seasons.
**Top skills:** Strength. Mean streak.
**Prediction:** Size, strength and experience alone should get him a look.