Have to say, it was undoubtedly Davion Taylor who turned the most heads today at CU's Pro Timing Day.
(VID: Steven Montez, Taylor and Delrick Abrams talks post-Pro Day: https://colorado.rivals.com/news/wa...n-montez-delrick-abrams-speak-at-cu-s-pro-day)
With respect to the 40-yard dash, it's unofficial. There aren't high tech lasers measuring the exact start and finish to a given player's time. But Taylor today ran between a 4.37 and 4.39 40.
Absolutely unreal. His 4.49 recorded at the NFL Combine led all Pac-12 LBs in its own right — he just took himself to an entire new level.
Taylor said he just felt more relaxed doing drills and whatnot in familiar territory.
"I knew I had so much more potential in me. I was nervous coming out with the spotlights on me so I wasn't thinking too much. I just got up and start running, I wasn't even really prepared. Today I just calmed it down in a place I am comfortable at. I just knew I could run a faster time."
Taylor improved his 40 time drastically and also recorded a vertical jump of 36 inches, up from the 35 he did at the Combine.
Interestingly, Taylor said that he has been invited to meet with the Philadelphia Eagles. Not sure when exactly, but that was the lone NFL nibble noted today post-Combine.
Taylor additionally said that the vast majority of NFL teams talking to him want him as an ILB. He certainly fits the bill as a 2020 NFL inside backer; his speed does not come at the expense of strength, he has an explosiveness to him and also can be trusted in coverage assignments.
This is what Tyson Summers had to say about him last fall, regarding his workload and responsibilities:
"For us to ask what we do of him — he’s a guy who plays a nine technique ( a speed pass rusher who lines up outside the OT and sometimes the TE), in two or three tight end sets, so he’s really playing a true SAM outside linebacker."
"We ask him to play as a STAR and cover slot receivers, which are usually the more dynamic receivers that we face each week."
"Then we put him on third down in our dime rabbits package where he maybe blitzes, maybe he spies on the (running) back, maybe playing in coverage, man or cut coverage — the volume of what he has to master from a technique standpoint is very, very high — probably more than anybody else on the entire defense."
I asked Taylor about how that collegiate versatility can help him in the NFL. He replied:
"With Colorado's defense, I had to learn so much with the STAR position, but not even just the STAR, on third downs I had to move to (ILB). There were so many different things and and concepts I had to learn. But by me playing everywhere on the field, it shows (NFL) teams I can play anywhere on the team. A lot of teams see me as an inside backer."
Alex Tchangam was another guy I found to be very impressive. He had 27 reps on the bench and produced a 32-inch vertical. Overall Tchangam looked pretty solid during the individual OLBs workouts, as well.
Would say the same of Arlington Hambright. There was a gasp in the room when he finished his 40-yard dash...that big man can fly. He also had a team-high 29 reps on the bench.
As for Montez, I think deciding to attend CU's Pro Day will work to his benefit. He didn't run the 40 or hit the bench, but I think rather wanted to continue to show off his arm and footwork he's continued to work on.
Regarding the footwork: "I think I juts needed to work on it because it was never good in the first place. I didn't come to (Colorado) and have good footwork. That's why it was a constant work in progress. It's still a work in progress to this day — I'm not saying my footwork is perfect by any means...it's always on my mind when I come out and throw."
Abrams is another guy whose 40 time I want to see. I heard it from a scout who shall remain nameless who said Abrams' 33.5-inch vertical was a bit underwhelming. However, he said additionally that if Abrams produced a sub 4.58 40, he would "get a lot of attention."
I'm told an official stat page will be circulated by CU at some point tonight. When I get it I'll make note of what he ran but I'd suspect he was under the aforementioned time.
Tony Brown I'd say was a bit overshadowed / didn't make a huge splash. He did get to serve as Montez's WR during a lot of throwing drills so that may have helped get him some more exposure in the time he had in front of scouts (I counted 19 teams represented).
But overall, I'm certainly wishing the outgoing seniors the absolute best of luck. I hope a good chunk of them at least get a chance via the undrafted route and/or invites to summer camps. But rest assured, we'll be hearing a handful of Buffs' names called on Draft Day. That I have no doubt of.
(VID: Steven Montez, Taylor and Delrick Abrams talks post-Pro Day: https://colorado.rivals.com/news/wa...n-montez-delrick-abrams-speak-at-cu-s-pro-day)
With respect to the 40-yard dash, it's unofficial. There aren't high tech lasers measuring the exact start and finish to a given player's time. But Taylor today ran between a 4.37 and 4.39 40.
Absolutely unreal. His 4.49 recorded at the NFL Combine led all Pac-12 LBs in its own right — he just took himself to an entire new level.
Taylor said he just felt more relaxed doing drills and whatnot in familiar territory.
"I knew I had so much more potential in me. I was nervous coming out with the spotlights on me so I wasn't thinking too much. I just got up and start running, I wasn't even really prepared. Today I just calmed it down in a place I am comfortable at. I just knew I could run a faster time."
Taylor improved his 40 time drastically and also recorded a vertical jump of 36 inches, up from the 35 he did at the Combine.
Interestingly, Taylor said that he has been invited to meet with the Philadelphia Eagles. Not sure when exactly, but that was the lone NFL nibble noted today post-Combine.
Taylor additionally said that the vast majority of NFL teams talking to him want him as an ILB. He certainly fits the bill as a 2020 NFL inside backer; his speed does not come at the expense of strength, he has an explosiveness to him and also can be trusted in coverage assignments.
This is what Tyson Summers had to say about him last fall, regarding his workload and responsibilities:
"For us to ask what we do of him — he’s a guy who plays a nine technique ( a speed pass rusher who lines up outside the OT and sometimes the TE), in two or three tight end sets, so he’s really playing a true SAM outside linebacker."
"We ask him to play as a STAR and cover slot receivers, which are usually the more dynamic receivers that we face each week."
"Then we put him on third down in our dime rabbits package where he maybe blitzes, maybe he spies on the (running) back, maybe playing in coverage, man or cut coverage — the volume of what he has to master from a technique standpoint is very, very high — probably more than anybody else on the entire defense."
I asked Taylor about how that collegiate versatility can help him in the NFL. He replied:
"With Colorado's defense, I had to learn so much with the STAR position, but not even just the STAR, on third downs I had to move to (ILB). There were so many different things and and concepts I had to learn. But by me playing everywhere on the field, it shows (NFL) teams I can play anywhere on the team. A lot of teams see me as an inside backer."
Alex Tchangam was another guy I found to be very impressive. He had 27 reps on the bench and produced a 32-inch vertical. Overall Tchangam looked pretty solid during the individual OLBs workouts, as well.
Would say the same of Arlington Hambright. There was a gasp in the room when he finished his 40-yard dash...that big man can fly. He also had a team-high 29 reps on the bench.
As for Montez, I think deciding to attend CU's Pro Day will work to his benefit. He didn't run the 40 or hit the bench, but I think rather wanted to continue to show off his arm and footwork he's continued to work on.
Regarding the footwork: "I think I juts needed to work on it because it was never good in the first place. I didn't come to (Colorado) and have good footwork. That's why it was a constant work in progress. It's still a work in progress to this day — I'm not saying my footwork is perfect by any means...it's always on my mind when I come out and throw."
Abrams is another guy whose 40 time I want to see. I heard it from a scout who shall remain nameless who said Abrams' 33.5-inch vertical was a bit underwhelming. However, he said additionally that if Abrams produced a sub 4.58 40, he would "get a lot of attention."
I'm told an official stat page will be circulated by CU at some point tonight. When I get it I'll make note of what he ran but I'd suspect he was under the aforementioned time.
Tony Brown I'd say was a bit overshadowed / didn't make a huge splash. He did get to serve as Montez's WR during a lot of throwing drills so that may have helped get him some more exposure in the time he had in front of scouts (I counted 19 teams represented).
But overall, I'm certainly wishing the outgoing seniors the absolute best of luck. I hope a good chunk of them at least get a chance via the undrafted route and/or invites to summer camps. But rest assured, we'll be hearing a handful of Buffs' names called on Draft Day. That I have no doubt of.
