A lot was going on today at Gossett Team House with a Friedgen-era record 24 former Terp football players working out for about 40 scouts throughout the afternoon. I figured I’d start out with some observations and notes with some more specific updates to come, and check out tomorrow’s print edition for the full story.
- Defensive tackle Jeremy Navarre paced the Terps in the bench press portion with 36 reps of 185 lbs. It was good for Navarre because an unspecified injury kept him from doing the running portion. He made one attempt at the vertical jump before calling it quits at Cole Field House. He returned for position drills. Dean Muhtadi said he’d spent 12 hours a day rehabbing this week after injuring his hamstring late last week. He still wasn’t able to run. The always affable Muhtadi put it in perspective.
“It’s heartbreaking, man,” Muhtadi said. “This is kind of my time to shine. My speed numbers are kinda my best attribute as an athlete for my size. There’s not too many people my size running 4.7s. I really wanted to show these scouts what I could do.”
Offensive lineman Jack Griffin was also bothered by a knee injury that caused him to stop in the middle of position drills. And linebacker Moise Fokou expressed disappointment his NFL Combine run (not the run itself but how it was timed), but decided not to run today after tweaking his hamstring last week.
- One thing I hadn’t considered before today was that offensive coordinator James Franklin has two years experience working with one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft class. He coached Josh Freeman for two years at Kansas State. That provided an interesting sidelight to the day. At one point in the afternoon, I overheard two scouts talking and one suggested he talk to Franklin about Freeman. I also heard scouts talking to new special teams coach Charles Bankins about some Football Championship Subdivision prospects he may have seen in his time with the FCS Champion Richmond Spiders last season.
- There were a lot of parents and supporters who followed the hoard of players and scouts throughout the day. Dave Philistin had a solid following and several of Darrius Heyward-Bey’s family members were in attendance, but the top crew belonged to seldom-used running back Rashad Henry. He had a clan of about 15, most of them wearing shirts with his No. 16 printed on them, who cheered each time the speedy Henry completed a drill. They also showered a lot of love on fellow Bowie State transfer Aaron Ball. At one point, I casually commented to one of the Henry fans about the energy they brought to the place, and he replied, “Anything we can do to help.”
- Predictably, Muhtadi and Edwin Williams offered the two quotes that most put the day in the most interesting perspectives, especially given the reality that many of the 24 Terps who worked out today will not get another look from NFL scouts. However, it still must be noted that this often-jovial senior class was surprisingly focused going about their business this afternoon.
Edwin commented on the process that has taken him from the East-West Shrine Game to training in Atlanta to the Combine to Pro Day:
“Indy was a good experience,” Williams said. “I was just happy to be invited. I was happy to be invited to the [East-West Shrine Game]. I’m just happy this whole experience is happening. If it doesn’t work out, I won’t be too ashamed. I have a lot to fall back on.”
Muhtadi talked about bringing all 24 guys back to campus and getting to hang out one more time with a “Wing Night” at Hard Times Cafe:
“I think just getting the whole group together is the most important thing,” Muhtadi said. “I don’t care if I have to make the wings myself.”
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Tags: Dean Muhtadi, edwin williams, Jack Griffin, Jeremy Navarre, Maryland Pro Timing Day, Rashad Henry