Mariota Brings Team Atmosphere to Pro Day
Oregon’s top players returned to the field for NFL Pro Day, Thursday, at the Moshofsky Center. Marcus Mariota and potentially the university’s most noteworthy class yet, brought in over 80 scouts, general managers, and coaches from all 32 NFL teams.
After completing an impressive combine, with a 36-inch vertical and a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, Mariota elected only to throw on pro day. Scouts were most interested in seeing how he would perform while dropping back from the center, and so, Kevin O’Connell, quarterback coach for the Cleveland Browns, put the Heisman Trophy winner and five other receivers through a variety of drills that included various throws, routes, and three-to-seven drops in the pocket. Mariota threw approximately 66 balls, making 59.
On his performance Thursday, he said, “I thought I threw better at the combine. Today, I think, there is a lot of emotion being back here in Eugene causing some nervousness.”
Although watching Mariota taking snaps is unique to most Duck fans, Hroniss Grasu, Mariota’s old roommate and former teammate, indicated that it came very natural for the Ducks.
“In practice all four or five years we always start up practice under center,” said Grasu. “We’ve always had it under our belt, but we’ve never really brought it out.”
Mariota threw to a variety of receivers, including graduating seniors Kenny Bassett and Keanon Lowe, and former Ducks, Darlyle Hawkins and Lavasier Tuinei.
The group came out with a family-like attitude, adding a key element found in the NFL to their routine: huddling. Every few plays the NFL prospects huddled together, just like the professional teams do. Lowe said that it was “Marcus’ idea” and that they “went over the script three or four times this week and they wanted to huddle up before every play.”
Lowe did not attend the combine but had an impressive workout at Pro Day, with a raw time of 4.34 in the shuttle and 4.46/4.52 in the 40-yard dash.
After Thursday, Mariota will continue to do individual workouts privately for teams hoping to take a closer look at arguably the greatest quarterback in Oregon history.
More Impressive Ducks:
Arik Armstead was among the notable Ducks that shined at Pro Day. After leaving the combine with solid results, Armstead elected to only do position drills. San Diego defensive line coach Don Johnson pulled him aside to go through a variety of club and rip drills, where Armstead demonstrated impressive power.
Troy Hill, Erick Dargan, and Dior Mathis, three members of Oregon’s secondary, participated in all the events. Hill improved his numbers since Indianapolis, by putting up an unofficial 6.67 on the 3-cone drill and a 34-inch vertical jump (previously 6.81 and 32.5 inches at the combine). Dargan busted out 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press while Mathis flourished in running events, recording the fastest 40-yard dash of the day: 4.37/4.4.
Derrick Malone and Tony Washington Jr., graduating linebackers, also participated in all events. Washington brought down his 3-cone drill time by .08 seconds from the combine as well as added reps to his bench press (20 total). Malone showed strength in his bench press tying for second overall for the day with 25 reps; but he was unable to complete his 40-yard dash due to leg cramps. Both linebackers were pulled aside by the Atlanta Falcons to do individual position drills.
“I think I did pretty well on that [bench press] as well as the position drills. I felt my cuts were pretty fluid,” said Malone, “I went last so it was kind of heart racing, you know, the anticipation was building up and I just couldn’t wait to get out there and show what I could do.”
Hamani Stevens and Jake Fisher were also in attendance performing in all events. Stevens was the only lineman to bench press pumping out an incredible 31 reps. Ifo-Ekpre Olomu, participated in the bench press with 14 reps but did not perform in any other event due to a recovering ACL tear he suffered in early January. Olomu alluded to his injury and how he will continue to impress scouts.
“I’m really happy what I’ve been getting in, they’re saying that I’m a very smart player… They believe in the film and film tells everything.”
Coming Up: The former Oregon Ducks will continue to individually workout for teams until the NFL Draft on April 30th held in Chicago, IL.