Gators at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine – Part 1

ONLY GATORS Get Out Alive will be covering the seven former Florida Gators players who have been officially invited to participate in the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) in Indianapolis, IN, at Lucas Oil Stadium each day.

Five Florida Gators – center/guard Mike Pouncey, tackle Marcus Gilbert, guard Carl Johnson, guard Maurice Hurt and punter Chas Henry – have already been measured, completed exams, met with the media, been interviewed by teams, undergone psychological tests and completed their full combine workout. The quintet was on the same schedule throughout the week; they arrived Wednesday and departed Saturday. Below is how each player measured in and performed at the NFL Combine.

Center/guard Mike Pouncey (Group 02, OL39)
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 303 lbs.
Arm Length: 32 ¼ in.
Hand Size: 9 ¾ in.

40-Yard Dash: 5.12 seconds
Bench Press: DNP
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.64 seconds
Broad Jump: 8’0”
Vertical Jump: 25.0
3-Cone Drill: 7.66 seconds

Overview: The consensus top interior offensive lineman in the draft, Pouncey has been touted for his outstanding footwork, hand speed and overall football IQ. His work ethic is unquestionable and many teams look at his brother’s early success as an indicator of his future ceiling. Pouncey is determined to be selected earlier.
Strengths: Size, quickness, experience, awareness, discipline
Weaknesses: Shotgun snap issues, can improve run blocking

Tackle Marcus Gilbert (Group 02, OL27)
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 330 lbs.
Arm Length: 33 ½ in.
Hand Size: 9 ¾ in.

40-Yard Dash: 5.46 seconds
Bench Press: 30 reps
20-Yard Shuttle / Broad Jump / Vertical Jump / 3-Cone Drill: DNP

Overview: The measurables are all there for Gilbert, and he has shown proficiency both in pass and run blocking. Not the most explosive offensive lineman, Gilbert is projected as an NFL starter down the road.
Strengths: Size, length, athleticism, mobility, instinctive
Weaknesses: Quickness, tenacity, awareness

Quote: “I just want to show that I’m one of the best tackles out there. Come out here and compete and have fun. Just showcase my skills and try to elevate, show them that my game is higher than what most people realize.”

Check out how the other five Gators performed in Indianapolis…after the jump!

Guard Carl Johnson (Group 01, OL16)
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 361 lbs.
Arm Length: 36 ½ in.
Hand Size: 10 ¼ in.

40-Yard Dash: 5.43 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 5.03 seconds
Broad Jump: 8’0”
Vertical Jump: 25.5
Bench Press / 3-Cone Drill: DNP

Overview: Though Johnson is large, strong and durable, he is not as athletic as NFL scouts hope their starting offensive lineman can be. Johnson is projected as a NFL backup and pass blocking specialist.
Strengths: Size, strength, toughness, tenacity
Weaknesses: Quickness, mobility, athleticism

Guard Maurice Hurt (Group 02, OL24)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 318 lbs.
Arm Length: 34 1/8 in.
Hand Size: 9 in.

Workouts: DNP

Overview: Hurt’s strength is his greatest asset, but his lack of athleticism is a major determent. Projected as a late round pick, Hurt is better in pass protection than run blocking due to his ability to set his feet and create a low center of gravity.
Strengths: Strength, power
Weaknesses: Athleticism, quickness, toughness

Note: Hurt tore his right MCL at the combine and did not participate in the workouts.

Punter Chas Henry (Group 01, PK7)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 215 lbs.
Arm Length: 33 in.
Hand Size: 9 ¼ in.

Workouts: DNP

Overview: The vast majority of specialists are not selected in the draft, but Henry could be picked up due to his vast experience and unquestionable level of production for one of the nation’s best college programs. Henry can not only kick for distance with power, he excels in directional punting and has a proficiency for putting the ball in a particular spot. His abilities to serve as a holder and reserve kicker only increase his value.
Strengths: Size, speed, durability, experience
Weaknesses: Strength

Quote: “Over the last couple of years, [punters] have gone as high as the third round to seventh to free agent. There are guys who were free agents that are still in the NFL. It is a waiting game and you just hope your name is called and you go to a great organization.”

Touching down in Indianapolis, IN, on Saturday were strong safety Ahmad Black (Group 10, Camp DB3) and free safety Will Hill (Group 10, Camp DB22).

The event, which is held for six days from Feb. 23 to March 1, consists of more than 300 players being put through a series of drills, tests and interviews while more than 600 NFL personnel in attendance including coaching staffs, executives, player personnel and medical staff look on and evaluate each of them. It amounts to the final job interview these athletes will participate in before the 2011 NFL Draft commences on April 28.

Schedule:
Travel, Registration, Pre-exam & X-ray, Orientation, Interviews
Wednesday – Groups 1-3; Thursday – Groups 4-6
Friday – Groups 7-9; Saturday – Groups 10, 11

Measurements, Exams, Media, Psych Tests, Interviews
Thursday – Groups 1-3; Friday – Groups 4-6
Saturday – Groups 7-9; Sunday – Groups 10, 11

NFLPA Meeting, Psych Tests, Interviews
Friday – Groups 1-3; Saturday – Groups 4-6
Sunday – Groups 7-9; Monday – Groups 10,11

Workout (timing, stations, skill drills), Departure
Saturday – Groups 1-3; Sunday – Groups 4-6
Monday – Groups 7-9; Tuesday – Groups 10, 11