Pro Day recap: Missouri's Ray, Golden go through LB position drills
The NFL Draft Pro Day circuit continued on Thursday afternoon in Columbia, Missouri, where a number of former Missouri Tigers worked out for representatives of all 32 NFL organizations.
Although Missouri had more than a dozen players working out, most eyes were on the star defensive end tandem of Shane Ray and Markus Golden, both of whom are expected to be selected in the early portion of the draft in April, Ray as early as the top 10 picks.
I'm told all 32 teams are represented at #Mizzou's Pro Day. #Chiefs GM John Dorsey is here.
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 19, 2015
Just like at last month’s NFL Combine, both former defensive ends impressed. However, neither player may be a defensive end for much longer, as both underwent linebacker position drills during the Pro Day festivities.
Golden said most scouts have told him they’d like him to play outside backer in a 3-4 system, while Ray worked out as both a defensive end and linebacker on a busy Thursday.
Markus Golden said most NFL teams he has talked to want him as a 3-4 linebacker.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) March 19, 2015
Ray said his biggest goal on Thursday was to prove to teams that he was big enough to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme, widening the pool of teams with which he’d be a good fit. He noted he felt he achieved that goal by showing up much heavier than he played last season or even registered when weighed at the combine.
Shane Ray weighed in at 249 today. 12 pounds heavier than at the end of the season
— Gabe DeArmond (@GabeDeArmond) March 19, 2015
Ray said his goal today was to show he's big enough – weighed in at 249 – to play in a 3-4 or 4-3
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 19, 2015
For what it’s worth, Ray weighed 245 pounds.
More news involving Ray circulated throughout the Pro Day Thursday, as the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year told admitted he will be in Chicago for the draft.
And if you needed any more proof of Ray and Golden stealing the show, just read the list of people in attendance with the primary intention of scouting those two players.
Shane Ray exits the MATC talking with scouts from the Ravens. Joey Porter gives Markus Golden a head nod as he leaves.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) March 19, 2015
Ray said he's met with the Eagles and Steelers in recent days and is supposed to meet with the Jaguars soon.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) March 19, 2015
#Mizzou Coach @GaryPinkel catching up with @steelers head coach Mike Tomlin pic.twitter.com/i0RacsADTl
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) March 19, 2015
It’s implied Tomlin was in attendance to see Golden given his reported interaction with Porter, a former Steeler and current Pittsburgh assistant coach.
Ray and Golden may have been the brightest stars of the day, but they weren’t the only linemen on display for NFL teams.
Defensive tackle Lucas Vincent, a fringe candidate to be selected in the late rounds of the draft, impressed scouts during his workouts on Thursday. Vincent was not invited to the combine last month, meaning his Pro Day was his first chance to impress scouts up close.
For such a big man, Lucas Vincent looks nimble today. He certainly helped his shot of getting drafted in April. @23SportsMUTV
— Matt Weller (@Matt_Weller21) March 19, 2015
#MizzouMade @High_Chief_LV96 jumped 9'3 on broad jump – a personal record. #DLineZOU pic.twitter.com/LbqaAAmWht
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) March 19, 2015
Former Tigers offensive tackle Mitch Morse, listed as a guard on a number of draft prospect lists, reportedly also worked out as a center on Thursday. CBS Sports projected Morse to be a fourth round selection at guard.
Mizzou's Mitch Morse mostly worked out at center in position drills today.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 19, 2015
Other Pro Day news & notes:
Official pro day 40 times from Mizzou: Ray 4.64, Murphy 4.51, Golden 4.7, Sasser 4.52, Vincent 4.97
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 19, 2015
#Mizzou WR: Bud Sasser 34.5 inch vertical, 10-0 broad jump. Jimmie Hint 31.5 vertical 9-8 broad
— Gabe DeArmond (@GabeDeArmond) March 19, 2015
Pro day numbers from #Mizzou lost players' career bests. Punter Christian Brinser has a 39 inch vertical. That's nuts.
— Gabe DeArmond (@GabeDeArmond) March 19, 2015
Markus Golden vertical. https://t.co/EBSEgSrgYS
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) March 19, 2015
Quick pro day analysis: I think Bud Sasser did real well for himself today.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) March 19, 2015
Rams and former #Mizzou corner EJ Gaines in the house at Tigers' pro day.
— Gabe DeArmond (@GabeDeArmond) March 19, 2015
Bengals DL coach Jay Hayes putting Mizzou D-linemen thru individual drills.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 19, 2015
Shane Ray hits the bags hard. #Mizzou https://t.co/EEFcP0053c
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) March 19, 2015
Markus Golden & Shane Ray at #Mizzou Pro Day. https://t.co/vVJSox6wbJ
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) March 19, 2015
James Franklin & Austyn Carta Samuels will handle QB duties for passing drills.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 19, 2015
(Franklin is a former Missouri quarterback, and Carta-Samuels is formerly of Vanderbilt.)
To be clear, Franklin & Carta Samuels aren't really auditioning for scouts. Think of them as pitchers volunteering to throw BP.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 19, 2015
Lucas Vincent on the film crews following Shane Ray: "he's famous now. But he's still ugly and his beard's terrible."
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) March 19, 2015
Full list of participants: punter Christian Brinser, defensive lineman David Butler, linebacker Markus Golden, wideout Jimmie Hunt, offensive lineman Mitch Morse, tailback Marcus Murphy, wideout Gavin Otte, defensive end/linebacker Shane Ray, linebacker Darvin Ruise, wideout Bud Sasser, defensive back Duron Singleton, defensive lineman Lucas Vincent, defensive back Braylon Webb and wideout Darius White.