By John Ingoldsby Engagement Insider
STORRS, CT March 31, 2015 –Cornerback Byron Jones was a breakout star at the Combine in February, and he followed that up at UConn’s Pro Day this week with another sterling performance.
After literally setting a world record in the broad jump at the annual Indianapolis event, where he also turned heads with an outstanding vertical leap, Jones again served notice that he was worth the trip to rural Connecticut.
And the NFL was all in as 29 of the 32 clubs had representatives flock to Storrs, headlined by high-profile Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly and Minnesota Vikings Coach Mike Zimmer, to determine where Jones and his eight teammates who participated in the Pro Day might be picked in the draft.
Jones did not disappoint, as he added to his repertoire by reeling off a 4.36 40-yard dash while also impressing with a strong weight room performance.
“I knew I would perform well today, and recognized that there was more interest after the good things that were said coming out of the Combine,” said the articulate Jones after his workout. “But I understand that the main goal is not workout numbers, but to be a great football player.”
That is especially important for the Connecticut native since he had a shoulder injury during his senior year for the Huskies, which he also addressed.
“I didn’t play in many games my last year, but all I can do is roll with it and now I am as good as new feeling healthy and at full strength,” he noted. “My numbers say I’m athletic, and I consider my intelligence and athleticism to be my top two strengths.”
Those who have been around Jones agree with his self-assessment.
UConn Strength and Conditioning Coach Matt Balis said after the workout, “Byron is very special and gifted, and his athleticism combined with his work ethic simply make him unstoppable. But all of our guys did well today since playing in the NFL is their dream.”
That analysis was backed up by teammate B.J. McBryde, who said simply, “Byron is one of the most athletic human beings I have ever seen.”
But the defensive tackle also had his own goals for Pro Day, which featured measurements (height, weight, etc.), physical testing (jumps and bench presses), 40-yard dash & shuttle drills, and finally individual position workouts.
“There was no way I could have done bad today since I saw myself performing well after eating, sleeping and breathing football since February, when my teammates and I really started pushing ourselves to be ready for today,” said the affable McBryde, whose pigskin pedigree features growing up in Beaver Falls, PA, home of the iconic Joe Namath.
His well-prepared teammates that also performed on Pro Day, before not just the NFL but also representatives of two Canadian Football League teams, included wide receiver Geremy Davis, who along with Jones attended the Combine, as well as fellow pass catcher Deshon Foxx, offensive linemen Alex Mateas and Gus Cruz, linebacker Reuben Frank, quarterback Chandler Whitmer, and defensive lineman Angelo Pruitt.
It appeared the hard work paid off, as McBryde observed that “the coaches and scouts seemed excited.” And Balis backed him up, saying, “I got great feedback from the NFL representatives who were here.”