rugbythug
04-03-2008, 05:27 PM
Ellis improves numbers at USC Pro Day
By Frank Tadych | NFL.com
LOS ANGELES -- The annual USC Pro Day workout is well-known as a showcase for prospective NFL talent. On Wednesday, it again held up to its reputation.
Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com
Sedrick Ellis goes through position drills at USC's pro day.
More from USC Pro Day:
»Video: Caroll proud of his players
»Video: Pro day recap
»Video: Ellis discusses his effort
»Photos: Best shots of the day
» Other Pro day updates
Sedrick Ellis headlined a strong group of 25 pro prospects who worked out on the University of Southern California campus, displaying to NFL coaches and scouts why he's a likely top 10 selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Ellis showed up at the pro day workout weighing in at 297 pounds -- 11 lighter than he weighed at the combine. He felt he was too heavy in Indianapolis and wasn't satisfied with his performance, but helped himself by posting better numbers across the board at his pro day.
"I'm very proud of my day today, I felt like I did very well," said Ellis. "All my numbers went up. Nothing stayed the same or went down. I felt like I came out and showed great character. I'm just happy the way things have gone."
Ellis participated in all of the drills that were open to the media, with the exception of two agility drills. He ran 5.02 and 5.05 in the 40-yard dash, shaving more than 0.2 off his time from the combine. He said he improved by two repetitions in the bench press, reaching 36 reps of 225-pounds, and increased his vertical to about 30-inches.
All that's left is the draft.
"You know just as well as I do that [the draft] is kind of a crap shoot," Ellis said. "Who might trade up, who might trade down, who might not like you for whatever reason, who might like you. Right now it's a waiting process. I wish it was tomorrow."
Ellis said he has visits set up with three NFL teams, including Cincinnati and New Orleans, but isn't going to conduct workouts again for teams. One squad that could hold particular interest for Ellis is Oakland, which has the fourth overall pick.
"That would make me feel pretty good," Ellis said about landing with the Raiders. "They have the fourth pick, they're right there in Northern California, a hop, skip and a jump from home. They're a team I feel like I could help."
Representatives for 30 of the 32 NFL teams were in attendance. Washington and Denver were the only teams not represented.
Along with Ellis, several of the other Trojans who are projected in the top three rounds of the draft had solid workouts. Quarterback John David Booty, who also worked out at the combine, didn't participate in testing but threw during the individual drills.
Booty felt the biggest question he faced from NFL scouts was his ability to the throw deep ball.
"I feel really good," said Booty, who threw approximately 80 passes for scouts. "I was really pleased with the deep balls today. That's something that I really wanted to come out and show. … I really showed what I was capable of doing on the deep ball. If I answered any questions, they were there."
Linebacker Keith Rivers, projected by many as a first-round pick, worked out for scouts for the first time after missing the combine with an ankle injury. He posted impressive numbers, reaching 42-inches in the vertical jump and running 4.58 in the 40.
"I thought Booty threw the football extremely well, which he needed to, especially the deep ball, which he did," said NFL draft expert Mike Mayock. "Sedrick Ellis looked great … I think he really just solidified his case for being a top 10 pick. The story of the day was probably Keith Rivers."
By Frank Tadych | NFL.com
LOS ANGELES -- The annual USC Pro Day workout is well-known as a showcase for prospective NFL talent. On Wednesday, it again held up to its reputation.
Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com
Sedrick Ellis goes through position drills at USC's pro day.
More from USC Pro Day:
»Video: Caroll proud of his players
»Video: Pro day recap
»Video: Ellis discusses his effort
»Photos: Best shots of the day
» Other Pro day updates
Sedrick Ellis headlined a strong group of 25 pro prospects who worked out on the University of Southern California campus, displaying to NFL coaches and scouts why he's a likely top 10 selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Ellis showed up at the pro day workout weighing in at 297 pounds -- 11 lighter than he weighed at the combine. He felt he was too heavy in Indianapolis and wasn't satisfied with his performance, but helped himself by posting better numbers across the board at his pro day.
"I'm very proud of my day today, I felt like I did very well," said Ellis. "All my numbers went up. Nothing stayed the same or went down. I felt like I came out and showed great character. I'm just happy the way things have gone."
Ellis participated in all of the drills that were open to the media, with the exception of two agility drills. He ran 5.02 and 5.05 in the 40-yard dash, shaving more than 0.2 off his time from the combine. He said he improved by two repetitions in the bench press, reaching 36 reps of 225-pounds, and increased his vertical to about 30-inches.
All that's left is the draft.
"You know just as well as I do that [the draft] is kind of a crap shoot," Ellis said. "Who might trade up, who might trade down, who might not like you for whatever reason, who might like you. Right now it's a waiting process. I wish it was tomorrow."
Ellis said he has visits set up with three NFL teams, including Cincinnati and New Orleans, but isn't going to conduct workouts again for teams. One squad that could hold particular interest for Ellis is Oakland, which has the fourth overall pick.
"That would make me feel pretty good," Ellis said about landing with the Raiders. "They have the fourth pick, they're right there in Northern California, a hop, skip and a jump from home. They're a team I feel like I could help."
Representatives for 30 of the 32 NFL teams were in attendance. Washington and Denver were the only teams not represented.
Along with Ellis, several of the other Trojans who are projected in the top three rounds of the draft had solid workouts. Quarterback John David Booty, who also worked out at the combine, didn't participate in testing but threw during the individual drills.
Booty felt the biggest question he faced from NFL scouts was his ability to the throw deep ball.
"I feel really good," said Booty, who threw approximately 80 passes for scouts. "I was really pleased with the deep balls today. That's something that I really wanted to come out and show. … I really showed what I was capable of doing on the deep ball. If I answered any questions, they were there."
Linebacker Keith Rivers, projected by many as a first-round pick, worked out for scouts for the first time after missing the combine with an ankle injury. He posted impressive numbers, reaching 42-inches in the vertical jump and running 4.58 in the 40.
"I thought Booty threw the football extremely well, which he needed to, especially the deep ball, which he did," said NFL draft expert Mike Mayock. "Sedrick Ellis looked great … I think he really just solidified his case for being a top 10 pick. The story of the day was probably Keith Rivers."