Ohio State Pro Day: Did the Players Win, Lose or Draw?

Ohio State players had another chance to make an impression on every NFL team at their Pro day.

Ohio State held their Pro Day yesterday and it was a chance to showcase their skills in front of all 32 NFL teams. There were players who helped themselves with their performances, but others didn’t, and may have even slid back some in the eyes of scouts. Some players probably didn’t move the needle much at all but just secured their status.

The biggest winner has to be Noah Brown. After declining to run the 40 at the NFL Combine, Brown turned in a 4.57 time yesterday.

That’s a far cry from Curtis Samuel’s time of 4.31 he turned in at the Combine, but for a 6’2, 220 pound wide receiver it should be plenty fast enough.

That one sprint should be enough to prove to NFL scouts Brown is worthy of spending a draft pick on. He is raw for sure, but often players are picked solely on potential, and Brown has plenty of it.

The players who ran the 40 at the NFL Combine didn’t run another one at the Pro Day, but I think Curtis Samuel was a winner anyway. He was allowed to perform in running back drills this time while he only participated in wide receiver drills at the Combine.

Since his performance at the Combine, Samuel’s draft status has risen. Going through the running back drills just gives NFL general managers something else to think about. I still say Samuel is going to be a draft day surprise.

Another guy who only helped himself was Malik Hooker, even though he couldn’t work out. His best talent, aside from being a freakish football player, is making others like him. He got to spend the day mingling with NFL coaches and general managers.

Marshon Lattimore is projected by many to be a Top 5 pick but suffered a minor injury at the Combine. Performing in the drills alleviated concerns NFL teams may have had.

Pat Elflein performed in both guard and center drills, showing his versatility that NFL teams love.

From what I have read, Raekwon McMillan and Gareon Conley didn’t exactly knock it out of the park in the drills. However, their performances at the Combine probably were good enough that it won’t be a major issue come draft day, but who knows?

The two players that had to just have a ball were Craig Fada and Jarrod Barnes. Two guys who walked on at Ohio State and got to show their skills in front of representatives of every NFL team. Wouldn’t that be a thrill for those two players?

More from Scarlet and Game

Neither the linebacker Fada (5.07) or safety Barnes (4.81) blew anyone away with their 40 times. But it was said they performed well in their drills. And Bill Belichick was there, and you know the Patriots coach loves good backups / special teams players who will work on the cheap. Well, cheap as far as NFL salaries go.

Dontre Wilson (4.59) and Corey Smith (4.68) certainly didn’t help themselves with their 40 times. Evidently they performed well in receiving drills so each will probably still get a chance with some team as an undrafted free agent. I doubt that either will be chosen in the draft now, but you never know.

Cameron Johnston’s workout was held outside away from the media so I haven’t heard how it went. Scouts certainly don’t question Johnston’s leg, just how he punts the traditional way not the rugby style punt.

But let’s just hope he didn’t try to impress the scouts with a fake punt. He was 0-2 at Ohio State I think.

Next Post: Will This Ohio State Class Shine?

Overall it was a good day for the Buckeyes. Just getting the chance to showcase their skills in front of every NFL team in one setting is something each of them should be proud of. So in that sense, every one of the players were winners.

Home/Ohio State Buckeyes