When college football fans think of elite prospects, Northwestern won't make any top ten lists of programs where those particular players would come from, and for good reason. The Wildcats aren't exactly known as a football factory, but they do have a few prospects coming out in this year's draft that could find themselves being seriously considered by the Carolina Panthers in the latter rounds of the 2012 draft . Let's jump right in, shall we?

Our first prospect is none other than free safety, Brian Peters, who I believe the Panthers should strongly consider if he happens to fall to the 5th round. For a man his size(6' 3", 215 lbs), he was able to put up some very impressive numbers. Namely, a 4.6 forty and a 6.69 three cone drill, the last of which would have been tied for second best at the combine. This drill measures how well a prospect can change directions at high speeds, a necessity at the next level. Personally, if he is available at our pick in the 5th round, he'd be on my short list of prospects to draft at that point. Join me after the jump to take a look at the other two prospects from the Northwestern pro day who I believe should get some consideration from the Panthers.

Next up is wide receiver, Jeremy Ebert, who was able to turn some heads at Northwestern's pro day by running a 4.38 forty, and bench pressing 225 lbs 16 times. It is important to note that his forty would have been good enough for second best had he been invited to the combine. Ebert projects very well as a slot receiver at the next level, and you can see this clearly in his highlight videos. He actually has a chance to sneak into the 4th round, but I suspect he could be had in a later round.

Lastly, I'd like to take a look at New Mexico's ILB, Carmen Messina(6' 1" 236 lbs). I'm including him in this report simply because he is from the Chicago area and decided to participate in Northwestern's pro day for more exposure(an assumption). Several things stand out when you examine Messina a bit. Not only is he highly intelligent and instinctual, but he is also a fundamentally sound when wrapping up the opposition. With these type of abilities, it should come as no surprise that he led the nation in tackles his sophomore year. I believe his speed is the only thing that will hold him back from being a first day pick. I believe the Panthers should consider him in the seventh round.


http://www.catscratchreader.com/2012/3/ ... -day-recap

Tony Pauline>INSIDE THE NFL. 2012 NFL Draft Pro Day Tracker http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/w ... z1ouQKki7Q

The Pittsburgh Steelers interviewed Pittsburgh CB Buddy Jackson Tuesday, March 13. Jackson ran a 4.26-second and 4.29 40-second dash at his Pro Day.

NFL scouts may have attended the University of Pittsburgh Pro Day to see offensive guard Lucas Nix, defensive tackle Chas Alecxih, cornerback Antwuan Reed or pass rusher Brandon Lindsey -- each of whom participated at the Combine. And while several Pitt Panthers posted impressive results, it was another cornerback --Buddy Jackson-- whose spectacular speed and leaping ability stole the show.

Jackson, who started only one game and never recorded an interception in four seasons with the Panthers, turned in a workout that would have ranked among the elite recorded at the Combine this year.

Jackson was clocked in the low 4.3s in the 40-yard dash. Central Florida cornerback Josh Robinson was "officially" recorded at 4.35 seconds, the fastest among the 325+ prospects invited to participate in Indianapolis this year. Jackson also posted an 11-9" broad jump. By comparison, the top performance at the 2012 Combine was 11 feet, one inch which was accomplished by Robinson and Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill.

Jackson, listed by Pitt at 6-1, 180 pounds, had primarily seen his playing time come on special teams throughout his career. He led the Panthers with 543 kick return yards in 2011 (on 23 attempts). He averaged 23.6 yards per return and took one 98 yards for a touchdown against Utah. He posted career highs in every other category as a senior as well, recording 34 tackles, four passes broken up and recovering a fumble while seeing action in nickel and dime packages and on punt and kickoff coverage units.
Considering his size, athleticism and ability on special teams, Jackson's workout may be enough to get him drafted outright. It certainly will be enough to entice some club into giving him an opportunity should he not get drafted. Jackson is currently NFLDraftScout.com's 54th ranked cornerback prospect.

Of the rest of Pittsburgh's prospects, most notable was the fact that Alecxih and Lindsey each recorded significantly better times in the 40-yard dash at their Pro Day. The 6-4, 296 pound Alecxih had been clocked at 5.41 seconds in Indianapolis but was clocked at 5.12 seconds by one evaluator on hand for the workout. Lindsey, having dropped 10 pounds since the Combine (now 245 pounds) dropped from a 4.92 at the Combine to a 4.76. http://www.cbssports.com/general/blog/r ... tt-pro-day

There were some superb performances in East Lansing, as the Michigan State players performed in front of almost three dozen scouts, coaches and personnel people from around the league.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins continues his upward momentum on draft boards. After performing well at the Senior Bowl and combine, Cousins once again looked terrific throwing the ball today. His deep passes were on the money throughout the entire workout, and every throw had terrific velocity. NFL decision-makers on hand were amazed at the way Cousins handled himself today, saying the senior basically ran the workout, organizing his receivers in position drills and coming across as a real field general. His leadership stood out and this bodes well for Cousins, who also come across incredibly well during interviews. He seems like a second-round lock at this point.

Several receivers were beneficiaries of Cousins' fine work, including Keshawn Martin. The swift wideout stood on his combine marks, but caught everything thrown in his direction during position drills. He ran scissor-sharp routes and showed great timing catching the ball. Scouts were impressed the way Martin caught the deep ball.

Though he performed well today, B.J. Cunningham took a backseat to Martin. Cunningham caught all but two passes but looked slightly stiff running pass routes. There are more than a few who believe when all is said and done Martin will be selected before Cunningham in next month's draft.

Both Spartan juniors who entered this year's draft stood out. Word is Edwin Baker looked better than anyone during the physical tests, posting a 40 time in the high 4.3s. Baker's best time at the combine was 4.44 seconds. Jerel Worthy, who did not lift at the combine, completed 28 reps today and was another NFL hopeful from the Michigan State program who impressed future employers in position drills

Defensive lineman Ernest Owusu stole the show. Measuring 6-4 and 277 pounds, Owusu completed 39 reps on the bench, posted a 30.5-inch vertical jump and ran 40 times between 4.72 and 4.78 seconds. Those times are likely to be quickened by scouts due to the slick surface the players ran on. The workout today will force scouts to reevaluate Owusu, who was not a good fit in Cal's 3-4 defense the past two seasons.

Kansas State S Tysyn Hartman and DL Ralph Guidry both worked out at their school's Pro Day Tuesday, March 13. Hartman measured 6-foot-2 3/8, 218 pounds. He recorded a 4.63- and 4.66-second 40-yard dash, a 6.69-second three-cone drill, a 4.03-second short shuttle, a 9-foot-11 broad jump and completed 17 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press. Guidry measured 6-foot-4 1/8, 303 pounds and recorded a 4.69-second short shuttle, a 7.51-second three-cone drill, a 26 1/2-inch vertical jump and completed 20 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press. Guidry measured an 80-inch wingspan. http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl#ixzz1pEnGNl2f

Another small school cornerback, Chris Greenwood of Albion College, impressed scouts as well. Greenwood, who was not invited to the combine though did participate in the Shrine Game, took part in Michigan's pro day and was one of the fastest prospects on the field. His numbers Thursday would make many of the defensive backs from the combine blush as Greenwood measured 6-feet, 1.5 inches and 193 pounds then timed as fast as 4.34 seconds in the forty, posted a broad jump of 11 feet, 2 inches and touched 43 inches in the vertical jump. He's a bit unpolished in his technique, yet is considered a terrific developmental prospect and Greenwood is getting consideration by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/w ... z1pFq4adVN

Chapel Hill, N.C. — The birthday bash that briefly cost University of North Carolina wide receiver Dwight Jones his eligibility also means he sat out Tuesday when the rest of the Tar Heels put on a show for NFL scouts.

UNC declared Jones ineligible in December after learning that he allowed his likeness to be used to promote a party at a club in Burlington, N.C., an NCAA violation. They then petitioned the NCAA and got Jones back for the Independence Bowl on Dec. 26.

Jones led the ACC in 2011 with 79 receptions and was third in the ACC (24th in the nation) in receiving yards with 1,119. He joined teammates Quinton Coples, Tydreke Powell and Zach Brown at the Senior Bowl.

Ebele Okakpu, a linebacker dismissed from the team in the fall for conduct detrimental, was also not allowed to perform at UNC Tuesday.

The omissions were in contrast to last spring, when players caught up in the NCAA's investigation of the football program returned to the field in Chapel Hill.

After almost two years of turmoil cost the program 15 scholarships over three seasons and the shot at a bowl game in 2012, Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said the university was trying to put distance between current players and mistakes of the past.

"Larry’s trying to establish a sense of accountability within the team," Cunningham said of new head coach Larry Fedora. "This does factor into being accountable and responsible for your own actions.”
http://www.wralsportsfan.com/unc/story/10879823/