DURHAM, N.C. — Yesterday morning, NFL coaches and scouts from all 32 teams gathered in Pascal Field House to watch Duke’s 13 NFL prospects perform for the program’s Pro Day.
The players took center stage under the eyes of front office personnel and their new head coach Manny Diaz as they gear up for the draft which will take place in Detroit from April 25 to April 27.
Below are some of my observations from the day:
Graham Barton
Two-time All-American offensive lineman Graham Barton was among the standouts from the day. He performed well during drills and had a solid 40-yard dash. Barton is projected to be a first or second-round selection in the upcoming draft. Earlier this month he was invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis where he displayed fluid mobility including a 4.84-second dash which clearly left an impression.
He also had a stellar 4.43 short shuttle time, ranking fourth among offensive lineman times from the dash and a 7.34-second three-cone drill, both of which garnered noticeable excitement and undoubtedly lifted his draft stock.
Barton said he enjoyed competing on his “home turf,” emphasizing the familiarity and camaraderie of being around the guys including teammate Jacob Monk who also had a decent outing.
DeWayne Carter
While it was Barton who commanded all the attention, DeWayne Carter stood out on the defensive end.
The 6’3” defensive tackle reaffirmed his versatility and readiness to excel wherever needed, making a notable impression on scouts with his strength and experience.
Carter also received an invite to the combine and was satisfied with his on-field testing there, opting out of the 40-yard dash. He mentioned that his success in Indianapolis made him approach Pro Day differently by testing well and “riding with the guys one final time.”
Jalon Calhoun
Calhoun didn’t participate in the combine, so Pro Day was a much-needed opportunity for him to impress before the big day. He showed his high motor and route-running prowess. In his five-year career with the Blue Devils he collected 3,026 receiving yards, showing a hard work ethic. However, he didn’t do anything special with his catches yesterday, and it was his agility that made up for it. With Diaz at the helm, it marks a new era in Durham and it will be exciting to see where these guys will head.