CHAPEL HILL – Ten NFL hopefuls from the University of North Carolina participated in the most important job interview of their lives Tuesday morning at Navy Field.
Scouts from each NFL team were on hand to time, measure and evaluate the pro prospects whose college careers have come to an end, but hope to make enough of an impression to play on Sunday’s.
Even some former Heels who have made the jump from UNC to the NFL were on hand to support their former teammates. Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron worked his way up and down the sidelines, interacting with current UNC players, all the while encouraging the seniors during drills. James Hurst, who started at left tackle for the Ravens as a rookie, later made his way to the field to watch the drills. Jabari Price, currently, of the Vikings, also watched.
Familiar faces like Ethan Farmer, Tim Scott, Travis Hughes, Norkeithus Otis and Jack Tabb ran the 40-yard dash, ran the short shuttle and participated in position drills on a cool Carolina morning.
The guy who may have turned the most heads was Scott. The Fredericksburg, Va. native struggled at safety his final year after moving from cornerback, but looked like the best athlete on the field Tuesday. He tied Smith, the track star, for the best 40 time, and his 20 reps of 225 on the bench press was higher than both linebackers who participated
Pro Day Results:
Devonte Brown (6-3, 307), defensive tackle
225 bench reps – 26
40-yard dash – 5.10
Broad jump – 8-3
Vertical jump – 24 ½
Ethan Farmer (6-2, 295), defensive tackle
225 bench reps – 23
40-yard dash – 5.20
Broad jump – 8-8
Vertical jump – 25 ½
Travis Hughes (6-0 ¼, 227) linebacker
225 bench reps – 19
40-yard dash – 4.90
Broad jump – 8-8
Vertical jump – 25 ½
Norkeithus Otis (6-2, 235), linebacker
225 bench reps – 17
40-yard dash – 4.85
Broad jump – 9-2
Vertical jump – 26
Tim Scott (5-11, 190), defensive back
225 bench reps – 20
40-yard dash – 4.55
Broad jump – 9-8
Vertical jump – 33 ½
Roy Smith (5-10, 170), wide receiver
225 bench reps – N/A
40-yard dash – 4.55
Broad jump – 9-3
Vertical jump – 33
Jack Tabb (6-2 ⅞, 243), tight end
225 bench reps – 17
40-yard dash – 4.7
Broad jump – 9-5
Vertical jump – 31
Player quotes:
Travis Hughes
How he felt about his performance.
I felt like I did decent under the circumstances. I (suffered) a pull quad at the Super Regional this weekend. We got way more teams than I expected to come out here, so I was definitely trying to perform for them, and I think everything went smooth.
Any nerves about the Pro Day?
At first, yes. I mean, everybody was a little nervous in the weightroom. But it’s about settling down. By the time you get out here and run the 40 and stuff like that you’re not really nervous anymore, it’s more like get it done, don’t miss your opportinuty. That real mentality sets in.
On his training leading up to Pro Day.
I’d been training with First String Sports in Virgina Beach. A hometown guy got me right.
On returning to Chapel Hill and being more relaxed.
Just stepping into the locker room and seeing a lot of the guys who might have this opportunity next year, and how they were wishing me so much good luck, I miss it so much. I’ve been away just long enough to be burning again for it. It felt great coming back to Chapel Hill.
Tim Scott
On nerves.
I was about to throw up I was so nervous. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I felt like I showed up for it.
If he’s been working out with other guys.
Myself and Norkeithus Otis have been working out together, we have the same agent. We came back to Chapel Hill about a week and a half ago and we’ve been working out with Jack Tabb every since.
On going back to cornerback at the next level or staying at safety.
I feel like I’m a corner. I played corner all my life, only this year I played safety. Hopefully I can show them I can play multiple positions.
On being back in Chapel Hill.
It actually felt very different. It felt like I’ve been gone for years. Three months is a pretty long time when you’re doing the same thing everyday. Just coming back here and working on this turf, it brought back a lot of memories. I felt like I left a lot on this field and I regret that, but I have to make sure I pick it up.
Northkeithus Otis
On doing linebacker drills after playing a hybird defensive end at UNC.
It did feel out of place, it felt a little different for me, but if that’s where they want me at the next level, that’s where I have to be able to work.
If he has been working as a linebacker in preparation for Pro Day.
Yes sir, I’ve been doing linebacker drills – covering in space, back pedaling, different drops.
On participating in Pro Day, instead of watching from the sidelines.
It’s a big difference, all eyes are on you. You kind of look around and realize you’ve been looking at these people for a certain amount of years, now I’m the one who’s trying to put on in the spot.
Ethan Farmer
On the group mentality during Pro Day.
Just pretty much the same, just love. We all came in pretty much the same time. We still have a form of group messaging/text. It’s just fun to be back out here with the guys and do it one last time.
Were you more comfortable being back at a familiar place?
Yes, this was pretty much a homecoming. Just training for the last three months and getting back with everybody, it just feels good to be back.
If he’s talked with any teams.
I talked with some teams during my All-Star game in California, but what really matters is today – you get to talk to more and more people. Hopefully this afternoon I’ll get to talk to more people.
On his performance.
I think I did excellent. I was little nervous at first, the morning part. Once I got on the field, saw the sunlight, it’s a beautiful day, I pretty much just let it all out. I think I did really good today.