Kentucky Pro Day recap: Dupree, Smith impress once again
More than 35 NFL scouts and three head coaches piled into Kentucky’s Nutter Field House on Thursday for Kentucky’s Pro Day as part of the annual NFL Draft process.
It’s not often the Wildcats draw such a large crowd for their Pro Day, but there’s a difference between this year’s Pro Day and Pro Days of years past, and that difference’s name is Bud Dupree.
Dupree, a potential defensive end and/or linebacker at the NFL level, posted perhaps the single most impressive workout at the NFL Combine last month and is now slated to be drafted as high as the top 10 picks of the draft. With that in mind, it’s not hard to understand why Kentucky’s Pro Day was a stopping point for most NFL organizations in need of help in the front seven.
NFL head coaches seen so far at Pro Day: Marvin Lewis, Mike Tomlin, Mike Zimmer
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) March 12, 2015
Those three head coaches represent the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings, respectively, and it’s assumed all three were in attendance to see Dupree first and foremost.
Dupree has heard from the Chargers, Bengals, Bears, Falcons and plenty more.
— T.J. Walker (@TWalkerRivals) March 12, 2015
Bud Dupree is meeting with teams during spring break, will graduate in May.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) March 12, 2015
For what it’s worth, Dupree has so many team visits scheduled he couldn’t list every one off the top of his head when addressing the media on Thursday.
Dupree did not go through every workout again, allowing some of his numbers from the combine (like his sub-4.7 second 40 time) to stand. However, he did undergo position drills for scouts, and once again he left scouts impressed over his remarkable at his size.
A moment of levity here. Dupree's bull rush hit Jay Hayes a little quicker than he expected. Caused ooohs from spectators, laughs from Hayes
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) March 12, 2015
Suffice to say, Dupree has the #Bengals' attention now.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) March 12, 2015
Stoops says Dupree could have played any LB spot, either DE spot at an all-SEC level
— Steve Jones (@SteveJones_CJ) March 12, 2015
However, we were able to confirm Dupree is indeed human:
Bud Dupree slips stepping over cushions. Don't draft him!!! https://t.co/pmrzazcayT
— Steve Jones (@SteveJones_CJ) March 12, 2015
Nevertheless, even after that slip during drills, Dupree still managed to score an invite to attend the draft in Chicago, indicating he’s regarded as one of the top prospects in the class.
Kentucky's Bud Dupree said he's been invited to Chicago for this year's NFL Draft.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) March 12, 2015
Working out alongside Dupree on Thursday was fellow UK defensive end Za’Darius Smith, a former junior college transfer expected to be a mid-round pick in this year’s draft.
Like Dupree, Smith participated in the combine last month to give scouts a taste of what he can do on the field, and he followed his combine performance up with another strong showing on Thursday.
ZaDarius Smith said he ran a 4.72 40. That's nice
— Steve Jones (@SteveJones_CJ) March 12, 2015
Za'Darius Smith tests out his vertical. pic.twitter.com/yyyip812y4
— T.J. Walker (@TWalkerRivals) March 12, 2015
He, too, has begun scheduling meetings with NFL teams between now and the draft in late April, indicating there is genuine interest throughout the league in selecting Smith this spring, which is rather remarkable considering Smith is among the most inexperienced prospects in the draft class.
Za'Darius Smith has heard possible third round from several places.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) March 12, 2015
Za'Darius Smith has spoken with the Ravens, Bears and Falcons.
— T.J. Walker (@TWalkerRivals) March 12, 2015
Za'Darius Smith notes he's still only been playing football for 5 years. "I think I have a lot of upside."
— Steve Jones (@SteveJones_CJ) March 12, 2015
The other two Wildcats to participate in last month’s combine were tailback Braylon Heard, who caught many by surprise when he announced he was heading to the NFL a year early, and offensive tackle Darrian Miller, who started all four years of his Kentucky career.
Heard, a former Nebraska transfer who has now received his degree from UK, addressed why he chose to leave school early during Thursday’s festivities.
Braylon Heard on leaving early for NFL: "I wanted to get my life started." If football doesn't work out, he'd like to work for a non-profit.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) March 12, 2015
Here’s footage of Heard’s 40-yard dash, which many unofficially clocked in the high 4.4-second range.
Braylon Heard 40yd dash https://t.co/RxHIKSPUjj
— Ethan Conger (@EthanConger24) March 12, 2015
Miller, who played tackle in college but will likely play guard in the NFL, took to the bench press after skipping that particular workout at the combine.
16 bench press reps for Darrian Miller
— Steve Jones (@SteveJones_CJ) March 12, 2015
The masses watch Darrian Miller bench press pic.twitter.com/8sOuRcn0eC
— Steve Jones (@SteveJones_CJ) March 12, 2015
Mark Stoops media availability at Pro Day:
Stoops: This Pro Day is a lot like the old days at Miami and Florida State.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) March 12, 2015
Stoops notes that most prospects leave their school to train. But UK's guys have stayed to work with Korem, a testament to Cats' program
— Steve Jones (@SteveJones_CJ) March 12, 2015
It’s worth noting that Dupree is among the players who have remained in Kentucky to workout. He is currently enrolled in his final semester as an undergraduate student at UK.
Stoops: I think Braylon Heard has a bright future. Says personal reasons led to his departure, was sorry to see him go. Has graduated
— Steve Jones (@SteveJones_CJ) March 12, 2015
Other Pro Day news & notes:
26 teams and 36 scouts here at Kentucky's pro day, including three NFL head coaches.
— T.J. Walker (@TWalkerRivals) March 12, 2015
There are about 40 current players and most UK assistants here to watch players go through drills at Pro Day.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) March 12, 2015
UK DL Mike Douglas now going by Mike Evans-Douglas at Pro Day. Hey, "Mike Evans" label could bring some good draft luck
— Steve Jones (@SteveJones_CJ) March 12, 2015
Bench press so far: Blue 13 reps, Borden 21 and Dixon 12
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) March 12, 2015
(The tweet above refers to wideout Javess Blue — UK’s top wideout a year ago — as well as tight end Steven Borden and defensive back Eric Dixon.)
More bench press numbers: Douglas 22, Miller 16, Shields 13, Warren 11, Willis 10
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) March 12, 2015
(The tweet above is referring to defensive lineman Mike Douglas, Darrian Miller, tight end Ronnie Shields, fullback D.J. Warren and defensive back Nate Willis).
10 reps of 225 for Nate Willis. Solid for the defensive back.
— T.J. Walker (@TWalkerRivals) March 12, 2015