April 1, 2015

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The University of South Carolina held its annual Pro Day on Wednesday on a picture-perfect day in Columbia. Sixteen draft-eligible former Gamecocks showcased their skills to scouts representing 28 of the 32 NFL teams.

The SEC Network televised the event live for two hours with Maria Taylor and NFL draft analyst Kevin Weidl on site to provide the commentary.

The event began at 10 a.m. in the Crews building weight room, with each participant being measured for height and weight, then tested in the vertical and broad jumps, before finishing with the 225-pound bench press.

The players then moved to the field where they ran the 40-yard dash along with a pair of shuttle runs before going through a series of individual drills specific to their position.

Top performances were turned in by wide receiver Damiere Byrd, who ran the 40 in an unofficial time of 4.25 seconds, posted a 42-inch vertical jump and leaped 10 feet, 11 inches in the broad jump. Defensive tackle J.T. Surratt bench pressed 225 pounds 33 times, just ahead of offensive guard A.J. Cann, who logged 30 reps on the bench. Mike Davis also shined with a 35 ½ inch vertical leap and two 40-yard dashes timed in the 4.4 range.

Tight end Rory Anderson did not participate in any of the drills as he is nursing a hamstring injury.

Here are quotes from several of the Gamecocks who participated in today’s event:

Rory Anderson

On his prospects:

I’m feeling pretty confident. I’m in the best shape I’ve been in in a while, you know, prior to the minor hamstring pull. I’m feeling great and just ready to get back out there.

Damiere Byrd

On the pressure to preform in the 40:

It wasn’t too much pressure for me. All my life I’ve been doing the same thing, trying to run fast. Whether it is a camp or coming into a team or whatever it may be, my spot has always been to run fast. So, I never really feel the pressure when I’m doing it.

On how much he thinks he helped himself at Pro Day:

I think I helped myself tremendously. The numbers felt great, doing routes, catching balls, things like that so, I think I definitely helped myself.

Mike Davis

On his performance: I felt like I did good, I ran well, tested well. I just came out here and wanted to have fun with my teammates.

On what he wants team to see in him:

A great investment. A guy that is going to work hard, come in and compete.

Cody Gibson

On his performance:

For moving from O-Line to tight end in one year, I think I did well today. I caught every ball and came in at a good weight. I hit all my numbers on the vertical jump, broad jump, and the bench press, so I think I had a great day.

On finding a place on an NFL team:

I’m hoping to go make a team somewhere, wherever they want me. I did offensive line drills and caught footballs today. I was mostly used as a blocking tight end this season so wherever I fit in best on the team.

On the outcome of today:

I’ve spoken with some coaches who could possibly direct me towards where I’d fit in the best. I’d mostly go where they could use someone with my style of blocking and play versus someone who doesn’t, obviously.

Sharrod Golightly

General comments:

It was great coming out here and getting to compete with the best. We’ve been working hard to come up with some goals to show these NFL scouts what we have.

On his performance:

I had a rough day. I had a little hamstring issue, but it’s with the man above. I have a lot of faith. There’s a lot of guys out here and I think we have good enough talent to play at a higher level so I’m just excited.

Nick Jones

On how the day went:

I feel like it went really well. We had a nice beautiful day. We hit everything, we did everything we scripted and I think it went real well.

On playing pitch and catch with Dylan for the last time:

Yes man, that’s my best friend. It was fun going out here one last time. We wanted to end it with a bang.

On the opportunity of Pro Day:

It was a big day. I mean, this is the one shot I got, the one chance I got to impress the scouts. So, it was real big time.

Corey Robinson

On stress leading up to Pro Day:

It wasn’t much stress. I was happy to have this opportunity. I didn’t get to perform at the combine like I wanted to, I only got to do the bench press there because of an injury. I was actually very happy to have this day come.

On the most important thing he’s been working on since the season ended:

Just getting healthy. I had a knee injury after the season. That was my biggest challenge, just trying to get back out there.

J.T. Surratt

On 40-yard dash:

I had no idea what I was going to run. I was shooting for at least a 4.9. I think I hit my goal, I’m not sure what the gun or anyone said but I gave it everything. I’m just glad I got to come out here, the guys stayed healthy out here, and we had a great time.

On the upcoming months:

Basically just staying in shape and staying ready at all times. Like I said, I’m just waiting on my name to be called every time. Just being ready at all times.

Here are the results of today’s testing. Note the 40-yard dash times are unofficial.