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Every spring, universities and colleges across the country hold pro days, where NFL scouts are invited to watch players workout and participate in drills not unlike the NFL's combine. At those individuals' colleges (or in some cases, former college), representatives from many of the NFL's brass grade and critique the individual performances of recent graduates/pro declarations (and in some cases former NFL types looking to recapture the glory).
Ohio State's 2013 spring day took place Friday morning from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. 29 of the NFL's 32 clubs were in attendance to check out a group that included tight end/wide receiver Jake Stoneburner, defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins, LB Etienne Sabino, FB/LB Zach Boren, OT Reid Fragel, DE John Simon, DB/ST Zach Domicone, DB Travis Howard, DB Orhian Johnson, DE Nathan Williams, amongst others.
While none of these players will likely hear their names called during April's 2013 NFL Draft's first round, a number of them have legitimate shots to be chosen on the second and third days. Others will have to climb their way up from the bottom of NFL free agency, but given their pedigree, they'll at least have a shot.
Here's what those on hand Friday had to say about what took place:
Braxton Miller getting some mentoring from former Heisman winner Troy Smith. #OSU #ProDay twitter.com/Alicia_Barnhar…
— Alicia Barnhart (@Alicia_Barnhart) March 8, 2013
Travis Howard and Orhian Johnson both ran a 4.5 at OSU Pro Day. Stoneburner said he ran a 4.52.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) March 8, 2013
Vikings GM Rick Spielman and Steelers honcho Kevin Colbert are here. Several Bengals coaches, too. Don't see any Browns gear.
— Zac Jackson (@FSOhioZJackson) March 8, 2013
Johnathan Hankins did position drills today but let his numbers from the NFL Combine stand. Liked what he did there.
— Doug Lesmerises (@PDBuckeyes) March 8, 2013
John Simon said he will do defensive line and linebacker drills at his pro day on March 25th.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) March 8, 2013
Jake Stoneburner looked the part. I say 5th round at earliest, but will be interesting to see where he fits in a good class of TEs.
— Zac Jackson (@FSOhioZJackson) March 8, 2013
Boren did not do any defensive drills on the day. Just offense and special teams.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) March 8, 2013
Troy Smith said he wasn't trying to show off for NFL scouts today but he still has that hunger inside him.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) March 8, 2013
Etienne Sabino has been hampered by a tweak in his hamstring, which is why he didn't run today, but thought his drills were OK
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) March 8, 2013
On Braxton, Troy said he can't say enough good things. "He has a chance to be special," Smith said.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) March 8, 2013
Orhian Johnson has added a few pounds (which is not easy for him) to get to 215 and ran in the 4.5 range.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) March 8, 2013