Florida Pro Day Set for Tuesday

With the 2015 NFL Draft set for April 30, there are about three weeks for teams to get their draft boards in order to bring in the next wave of college talent. One of the ways pro scouts do so is by attending pro days of various schools to get a final look at potential draft picks and undrafted free agents. The Florida Pro Day is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, and there plenty of players with something to prove in hopes of hearing their name called by the NFL commissioner.

One of the bigger stories may not be the fastest 40-yard dash time or best performance, but the mere presence of a player. Leon Orr will be in attendance and working out for scouts in his return to Gainesville. Orr was kicked off the team by then head coach Will Muschamp back in October after Orr left the team before a game against Vanderbilt. He abruptly drove back to Gainesville prior to the game without approval and was quickly dismissed from the Gators.

Orr was invited to the NFL Combine a month ago, as his pro prospects are still promising. The former defensive tackle will no doubt need to answer questions about his maturity and how he has put his past behind him if he intends to have a shot at the next level. Current head Jim McElwain did not have a problem with Orr attending the Pro Day.

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Offense

There are 22 former Gators that will be partaking in the Florida Pro Day. While there are no quarterbacks participating, other offensive talent will be on display. Quinton Dunbar and Andre Debose are the two wide receivers that need to make a splash on Tuesday. Dunbar was plagued with drops in his time at Florida, and Debose figures only as a possible return man.

In the backfield, Matt Jones and Hunter Joyner will get a chance to show off their skills. Jones split carries last season with Kelvin Taylor, but he would need to earn his way onto an NFL roster during training camp if a team gives him a chance. Joyner was a fullback, which is an all but defunct position in the NFL now. Some teams still like to have one to block for a lead back, but making a team will be hard to come by. Fullback Gideon Ajagbe will also be attendance.

Clay Burton may not be the next Jordan Reed, or even the next Trey Burton, but the tight end can showcase his skills and hope a team thinks that professional football runs in the family.

Offensive linemen who will be working out include D.J. Humphries, Trenton Brown, Max Garcia, Chaz Green, Tyler Moore, and Drew Farris. Humphries has the highest stock of the bunch and could be drafted as high as the first round. The rest have some work to do, but Brown, Garcia, and Green could wind up as mid to late round selections at the end of the weekend of the draft.

Kyle Christy has a strong leg for a punter; he has a chance to show it off and become a consideration as an UFA.

Defense

The secondary of former Gators includes only Jabori Gorman. He was not invited to the NFL Combine and will have his best opportunity to impress scouts in Gainesville.

At the linebacker position, Neiron Ball and Michael Taylor will be working out at the Florida Pro Day. Ball has been recovering from surgery and would like to show scouts that he is up to speed and worthy of consideration as a draft pick.

Defensive lineman might be the best position on the field Tuesday. Orr competed at the NFL Combine, and needs to continue to prove himself both on and off the field. Dante Fowler Jr., who could be a top-3 pick at the end of the month, will need to confirm scouting reports rather than improve them. He has the talent to be drafted as high as he is projected, and a good showing will likely confirm his big payday in a few weeks.

Darious Cummings is an intriguing prospect that played well at Florida but was not invited to the NFL Combine. This will be his greatest chance to show that he belongs with the big boys and is ready for professional action.

The only other big university left with its Pro Day is UTEP. By having such a late Pro Day, the former Gators have had ample time to train and prepare themselves for the workouts that lie ahead. Outside of Fowler Jr., and possibly Humphries, the rest of the athletes will be trying their hardest to make sure drills are run as best as possible and vying to make a name for themselves. There are seven rounds in the NFL Draft, but those selections come and go very quickly. They may not be competing for a million dollar signing bonus, but rather the right to merely have their name written on an NFL contract.