GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tim Tebow wasn’t the only Florida player working out for NFL scouts Wednesday. Three other players made an impression — good and bad — amid the group at the Gators’ pro day.
CB Joe Haden: After running slow 40 times at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Haden ran a quick 4.39 40 in cool, wet conditions Wednesday.
That number, along with the skills Haden showed both at the Combine and the pro day — fluid hip movement, the ability to turn and run, ball skills — likely makes him a top-10 pick. He clearly is the top cornerback.
DE Carlos Dunlap: The main criticism for Dunlap: his desire to go every play. Dunlap ran two sub-4.6 40s and likely ended any discussion about him falling out of the first round. No matter the character issues or the questions about his intensity, it’s hard for teams to pass on a 6-6, 280-pound end with 40 times of 4.57 and 4.59 on a wet field.
LB Brandon Spikes: One of the college game’s best linebackers the past three seasons, Spikes ran disappointing 40 times of 5.0 and 5.05. There are multiple defensive linemen (see: Dunlap) in the draft who run considerably faster. It could have simply been a bad day or maybe the wet surface, but those times have likely dropped Spikes from the first round‑and maybe Round 2, too.
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has full evaluations on these three players and seven others in the 2010 NFL draft. Click here for details.
This story appears in March 18’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News and is an analyst for the NFL Network. Tune in to Total Access weeknights. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.