In Norman, the spotlight was on as fourteen former Oklahoma Sooners returned to showcase their talents at the annual Pro Day. With the NFL Draft just around the corner, representatives from all 32 NFL teams gathered at the Everest Indoor Training Center to evaluate the potential future stars.
The lineup included a diverse group: two wide receivers, Deion Burks and Keontez Lewis; a running back, Jaydn Ott; a tight end, Jaren Kanak; linebackers Owen Heinecke and Kendal Daniels; defensive linemen R Mason Thomas, Marvin Jones Jr., Gracen Halton, and Damonic Williams; offensive linemen Febechi Nwaiwu and Derek Simmons; a safety, Robert Spears-Jennings; and kicker Austin Welch. These athletes participated in a series of drills, including the 40-yard dash, vertical leap, broad jump, 20-yard shuttle, three-cone drill, and bench press, along with on-field positional workouts.
Some players, having already showcased their skills at the NFL Combine, chose to rest on those numbers, while others aimed to improve their stats. Notably, R Mason Thomas opted out of testing. For Lewis, Ott, Simmons, and Welch, this was their prime opportunity to impress, as they hadn't been invited to the Combine.
Let’s dive into how each player performed:
- Deion Burks (WR): At 5-9 and 184 pounds, Burks dazzled with a 10'11" broad jump, a 42.5" vertical, and a blazing 4.30 in the 40-yard dash. His agility was on display with a 4.19 in the 20-yard shuttle and a 7.18 in the three-cone drill, complemented by 26 bench press reps.
- Kendal Daniels (LB): Standing tall at 6-5 and weighing 242 pounds, Daniels clocked a 4.75 in the 40-yard dash and a 4.32 in the 20-yard shuttle, with a 29.5" vertical.
- Gracen Halton (DT): At 6-2 and 300 pounds, Halton impressed with a 9'6" broad jump, a 36.5" vertical, and a 4.82 in the 40-yard dash. He also posted a 4.79 in the 20-yard shuttle and 25 reps on the bench press.
- Owen Heinecke (LB): Measuring 6-1 and 229 pounds, Heinecke recorded a 9'11" broad jump, a 34.5" vertical, and a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash, showing agility with a 4.25 in the 20-yard shuttle.
- Marvin Jones Jr. (DE): At 6-5 and 252 pounds, Jones Jr. showcased a 34.5" vertical and a 4.69 in the 40-yard dash, with a 4.52 in the 20-yard shuttle.
- Jaren Kanak (TE): Standing 6-2 and weighing 235 pounds, Kanak hit a 9'11" broad jump, a 34.5" vertical, and a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash, with a 4.25 in the 20-yard shuttle and 24 bench press reps.
- Keontez Lewis (WR): At 6-1 and 191 pounds, Lewis recorded a 10'3" broad jump, a 34" vertical, and a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash, with a 4.37 in the 20-yard shuttle.
- Febechi Nwaiwu (OL): Measuring 6-4 and 316 pounds, Nwaiwu posted an 8'9" broad jump, a 24.5" vertical, and a 5.35 in the 40-yard dash, with 29 bench press reps.
- Jaydn Ott (RB): At 5-11 and 198 pounds, Ott showed off a 10'11" broad jump, a 40.5" vertical, and a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash, with a 4.31 in the 20-yard shuttle.
- Derek Simmons (OL): At 6-5 and 295 pounds, Simmons recorded an 8'4" broad jump, a 24" vertical, and a 5.25 in the 40-yard dash, with 18 bench press reps.
- Robert Spears-Jennings (S): Measuring 6-1 and 207 pounds, Spears-Jennings impressed with a 10'5" broad jump, a 38" vertical, and a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash.
- R Mason Thomas (DE): At 6-2 and 244 pounds, Thomas clocked a 4.67 in the 40-yard dash.
- Austin Welch (K): Standing 5-10 and weighing 169 pounds, Welch focused on his kicking skills.
- Damonic Williams (DT): At 6-1 and 302 pounds, Williams posted an 8'4" broad jump and 30 bench press reps.
Each of these Sooners brought their A-game, hoping to catch the eye of NFL scouts and make their mark ahead of the draft. With performances like these, their dreams of playing on Sundays are well within reach.