March 28, 2007

Ten former University of South Carolina Gamecocks worked out for the NFL scouts at the annual Pro Timing Day, held Wednesday morning. Each player worked out in hopes of catching the scouts’ eye prior to the NFL Draft, which is set for April 28-29.

The list of tryout candidates included Fred Bennett, Thomas Coleman, Stanley Doughty, Jamal Hayes, Jerod June, Scott Morgan, Syvelle Newton, Sidney Rice, Chris White and Noah Whiteside.

The group went through a battery of tests and measurements in the weight room, including the standing broad jump, vertical leap and bench press, then moved to the playing surface at Williams-Brice Stadium where they were timed in the 40-yard dash and shuttle drills, then took part in individual drills.

“I have no idea right now,” said Rice when asked of where he thought he might end up in the draft. “You just have to patiently wait. The whole combine experience was interesting. It’s a good thing for people to go through if they’re coming out of college. I had planned on doing the 40 today, but didn’t feel the power in my legs,” continued Rice. “I thought I did a pretty good job (catching the ball today) except for the one I dropped. It was a slant route. I slipped off the line and never got right.”

“I’ve been working out hard since the combine,” said Newton, who was nursing a sore right hamstring. “It’s real frustrating. I’ve been running low times, then Saturday I tweaked my hamstring and came out here and almost pulled it. It’s frustrating to have a great career in college, then get out here in front of the scouts and not be able to perform because of an injury. I planned to come out here today and tear it up, but I have a lot of film,” continued Newton. “They watch the film and see what kind of ballplayer they’re getting. It boils down to you’ve got to get someone who can help you win games. All these guys can get out here and run 4.3’s and jump 45-inch verticals, but when you get on the field, I don’t see many people that can bring that much to the ballgame. They watch my film, they know they’re getting a ballplayer. I just love to win the game.”

“I feel like I did pretty good,” said White. “I did good on my broad jump. I didn’t think I’d do very good on the bench press, but I exceeded what I thought I was going to do. I had a workout with the Cleveland Browns about two weeks ago and have the Eagles coming in to do a workout with. Right now, they are saying second day – sixth or seventh round,” noted White of his draft status. “It’s definitely not where I wanted to be at, but things don’t always go your way. I’ve done everything I could do. It’s a waiting game now. All I need is a chance – drafted or non-drafted.”

Several current and former Gamecocks were in attendance for today’s Pro Timing Day, including current NFL players Ko Simpson, Johnathan Joseph, Sheldon Brown, Corey Peoples and Dunta Robinson.

Here are some of the results from today’s Pro Timing Day (Note: The Bench is at 225 pounds; The 40-yard dash is an average of two times:

Player Height Weight Vertical Bench Reps 40-yd. Dash

Fred Bennett 6-1 198 – – –

Thomas Coleman 6-4 306 24.5 28 5.32

Stanley Doughty 6-1 328 25.5 32 5.34

Jamal Hayes 6-1 198 29.5 – 4.95

Jerod June 6-0 204 36.0 20 4.67

Scott Morgan 6-1 215 27.5 – 4.97

Syvelle Newton 6-0 213 – – 4.77

Sidney Rice – 197 – – –

Chris White 6-3 321 22.5 27 5.55

Noah Whiteside 5-11 173 31.0 11 4.61