Distinguished media members of SEC Network and NFL Network converged onto the University of Alabama campus on Tuesday for the Crimson Tide’s annual Pro Day.
With eight general managers from the National Football League in attendance and half the league sending at least one scout from each franchise, there were quite a few former Alabama football players that put forward their best attempt in trying to improve or create draft value.
While guys like Quinnen Williams, Damien Harris and Jonah Williams handled much of their business at the NFL Scouting Combine, it was a moment for Josh Jacobs, Mack Wilson, Christian Miller, Jamey Mosley, Saivion Smith and Isaiah Buggs among others to show out.
RELATED: Mack Wilson Pro-Day Interview
Derek Kief, WR
Alabama has had a few receivers that could have been very special; however, injuries robbed them from showing fans what they could do. Derek Kief, a former four-star in the 2014 signing class from Ohio, was one of those players.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 204 pounds, he was destined to be a star yet fell victim to knee issues. By the time he was back at 100 percent, the Tide had so many weapons outside that Kief was buried on the depth chart and had no chances to produce.
Seeing how there is an opportunity for a team to sign him as an undrafted free agent, Kief put on a clinic for pro scouts. He turned in the best two broad jumps of the guys that competed at 10’3” and 10’5” (best), while hitting 4.60 seconds in the 40-yard dash. When it came to the route-running station, he made former Tide quarterback – David Cornwell – look like superstar.
Kief caught every pass and executed each route with precision. After seeing how Robert Foster and Cam Sims were picked up after the draft, Kief fits in that same mold and an opening may happen for him.
Isaiah Buggs, DL
An improved 40-time from the Combine was the first positive thing for him.
He ran a time of 5.15 seconds at Lucas Oil Stadium, but a bunch of scouts and media pundits clocked Isaiah Buggs at 5.08 seconds on Tuesday. He displayed a burst and showcased ferocity with his hands in attacking the bags. Despite being 306 pounds, Buggs proved that he can bend around the edge and keep his balance in creating pressure.
Former UA defensive line coach, Karl Dunbar (now with the Steelers) was very impressed with the Louisiana native after one drill.
Christian Miller, OLB
He was still lingering from the effects of a hamstring injury at the Combine; nevertheless, Christian Miller returned to form on Pro Day. He will save his responsibility of running the 40 for the Tide’s second event on April 2, but he did participate at other stations.
Miller started his workout with a strong 18 reps on the bench press.
The South Carolina native slipped a couple of times during the 3-cone drill, but managed to finish with a time of 7.40 seconds. Like Buggs, Miller’s moment came in the on-field drills.
He ripped through the bags, provided smooth footwork, and even flashed soft hands in high-pointing passes. In the efforts he had with his father – Corey Miller – the former four-star had multiple scouts circling around him.
Jamey Mosley, OLB
With his brother, C.J. Mosley, being the latest member of the New York Jets and his family in attendance, Jamey Mosley made Theodore High School proud. He played his final season at Alabama at 6-5 and 240 pounds, and Mosley capped his last moment with a good Pro Day.
He recorded the third-best broad jump at 9’10” and benched 17 reps.
Mosley’s 40-time of 4.70 seconds (hand timed) is a good number for him and he carried into being smooth in on-field drills. He performed the same activities as Buggs and Miller and like his former teammates, Mosley had no drop off. He even did better than the two in tracking the football, as he did not drop a pass thrown his way. At the conclusion of his workout, the Mosley brothers and their parents all shared an interview on NFL Network.
Hale Hentges, TE
Irv Smith Jr. is the talk of the town, but Hale Hentges pushed him to be great.
He may not be the most overly athletic guy, but Hentges represents the blue-collar tight end that teams still value in the NFL. He had sound technique in blocking drills and like Smith, Hentges isn’t new to making a few receptions.
A native of Missouri, he ran both his 40 times at 4.80 seconds and tallied an 8’11” broad jump. Hentges’ hunger for the NFL came during his session in the 3-cone drill, where his shoes started throwing turf off the ground to make a good time.
While he may not get drafted, he created value.
As for others at Pro Day, linebacker Mack Wilson tallied a 40-time of 4.60 seconds per scouts (and 4.58 via yours truly) and had a broad jump of 10’1.” His efforts in the 40-yard dash did not meet in comparison to former Louisiana State University star, Devin White, but it will still a good time for Wilson. He flipped his hips and showed keen lateral quickness in on-field workouts. Donning a pair of gold cleats, he was able to high-point some passes.
Regardless of him being viewed as the No. 1 running back in the draft, Josh Jacobs’ 40-time of 4.60 seconds and broad jump of 9’4″ was alarming to scouts. While most will probably look more toward his film versus the 40, the broad jump is going to be harder to turn away from — seeing how he was expected to jump 10 feet or better.
Before he earned a scholarship later in his career, D.J. Lewis was a walk-on.
The cornerback had a pretty good Pro Day — getting 15 reps on bench, clocking a 4.68-40, posting 7.00 seconds in the 3-cone drill and catching almost everything in on-field drills.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
