Fowler fulfilled mission, Debose returns, plus more leftovers from Gators' Pro Day
Thursday, April 9, 2015 | Football, Men's Tennis, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- In his final workout prior to the NFL Draft on April 30, Gators defensive lineman/linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. showed up at Florida Field on Tuesday on a mission.
Fowler had already wowed NFL scouts at the combine in February with his unique combination of size, speed and strength. He has climbed the mock drafts since and some analysts project him as the top defensive player in the draft.
During his on-field position drills Tuesday -- the only part of Pro Day that Fowler participated -- he wanted to prove to representatives from all 32 NFL teams his ability to gracefully carry those 265 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame.
“I wanted to show the guys that I'm a complete player," Fowler said. "I just want to show them I can move in space. They saw what they needed to see. I just wanted to clear their minds of all those doubts.”
Mission accomplished.
Fowler (photo, left) moved fast, cut quickly and showed off those backpedaling skills he'll need to drop back in coverage in the NFL.
“Dante Fowler has the highest ceiling in my opinion [of any pass rusher in the draft],'' ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. said on-air later in the day while discussing Fowler's Pro Day performance.
Fowler spent Wednesday in Jacksonville meeting with the Jaguars and said he had visits scheduled today with the Titans, Friday with the Bucs, and Sunday with the Falcons, led by new head coach Dan Quinn, who coached Fowler as a freshman at UF.
He accepted an invitation to attend the draft in Chicago and with quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota not scheduled to attend, Fowler could be the first player to be greeted by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected.
That's fine with him.
“I love this game," Fowler said. “I want to be one of the great ones when it's all said and done. Whatever pans out, I'm just happy to be there, to be in that environment. It's something special. I'm blessed right now with what's happening.”
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Andre Debose turned in the fastest time in the 40-yard dash at Pro Day, running a 4.38. No surprise there. No one questions Debose's speed.
Debose finished his Florida career as one of the best kick returners in SEC history, returning four kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns in his career.
Debose told The Orlando Sentinel he was pleased at his performance despite an injury that forced him to cut short his time performing passing-game drills.
“This was a great day, man," he said. "I showed I can run, showed I can catch the ball a little bit. I felt good running around, other than tweaking my hamstring a little bit. Other than that, it was a great day."
Debose is not expected to get drafted but his return skills and speed should earn him an invitation to a free-agent camp.
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Throughout his career at Florida offensive lineman D.J. Humphries had trouble keeping on weight. He would get up to around 300 pounds prior to the season, and then drop 15 pounds or so during the season.
Playing at 300 pounds or above is pretty much a requirement to be an NFL offensive lineman. Humphries weighed in at 307 pounds at Pro Day and said he recently got up to 316.
“I've had it on for a while now,'' he said. “It's sticking to me. I think that will be the next step, that I can maintain that weight throughout the whole season.”
Humphries, who opted to pass up his senior season to enter the draft, has impressed scouts. He is a first-round pick in most mock drafts. He said he weighed 285 pounds after the season and has changed his diet in the last four months to include foods that pack on healthier weight than he did in college.
“My weight [305] is realistic from the combine,” he said. “I wasn't just chugging water just to be big. I let them know that my weight is staying on me and I can move at that weight.”
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Defensive tackle Leon Orr was back at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Tuesday, five months after his high-profile departure from the program prior to last season's game at Vanderbilt.
Orr has faced intense scrutiny from teams and the media after his departure, but according to Fowler, Orr is a player that is going to make the NFL.
“He's going to be a surprise,” Fowler said. “To see how good he looks at 6-5, 315 and he can move pretty well. I know he has been taking the interview process. I'm glad he's able to be in front of them and talk to them. They have one-on-ones and man-on-mans.”
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Gators coach Jim McElwain talking to Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert. (Photo: Tim Casey)
QUOTE OF NOTE I
“I think it gives them a little bit of motivation to see the amount of eyes that are going to be on them. I think it's good. And there, again, in recruiting, you get an opportunity to come here, perfect your craft and show what you have in front of a lot of pro scouts.” -- Gators coach Jim McElwain on Pro Day's impact on current players
QUOTE OF NOTE II
“I wish someone would have kept tally all those three years. It's hard to remember. I done took too many hits from the head from Dante.” -- Humphries on his one-on-one battles with Fowler at practice
QUOTE OF NOTE III
“It would be great if I stay in Florida. I'm a Florida native. I was born and raised in St. Petersburg. I have family in Jacksonville and things like that. It would be great. The Florida Gators, all the fan base. It would be awesome.” -- Fowler on potential of being taken by the Jaguars with the third overall pick
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EXTRA POINTS
With nine offensive line coaches in attendance, Humphries and offensive linemen Max Garcia, Tyler Moore, Trenton Brown and Chaz Green received significant work; Garcia led all players with 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press … South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia served as the passer in drills for UF's receivers on Tuesday. Gators TE Clay Burton asked Garcia to participate the night before with no one else available. Former Gators QB Chris Leak, a graduate assistant at the time, filled the role last year … Trey Burton, now with the Eagles, watched his brother's workout … FB Hunter Joyer did not participate in on-field drills. Joyer recently tore his ACL training in South Florida and is scheduled for surgery Friday … Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin, a regular at UF's Pro Day, was once again in attendance.
