Scouts from 26 NFL teams attended TCU’s Pro Day on Thursday morning as seven former TCU football players worked out.
Cornerback Jason Verrett, quarterback Casey Pachall, safety Elisha Olabode, tackle James Dunbar, center Eric Tausch, guard John Woolridge and cornerback Keivon Gamble all participated in drills.
Former TCU tailback Waymon James also participated in drills. James was removed from the team in late November for “a violation of team rules.”
NFL teams present included the Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons.
Along with TCU’s most recent crop of athletes and the pro scouts, several current NFL players attended the event such as Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes and New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon.
Verrett seemed to draw the most attention during the day and participated in several drills. The reigning co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year posted 19 reps on the 225 pound bench press, despite being scheduled to undergo surgery for a torn labrum soon.
@TonyPauline @JRaySports 19 reps of 225lb is strong for a corner. Would put him 6th vs his peers combine numbers.
— Pete Hoffman (@PeteHoffman) March 6, 2014
Despite needing shoulder surgery, TCU’s Jason Verrett did 19 reps of 225 today. Matches how physical he plays on film.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 6, 2014
A native of Fairfield, Calif., the 5-foot-9 corner injured his shoulder in the third game of the season against Texas Tech but only missed one game all year.
“He hurt it when he ran into Jace [Amaro],” TCU head coach Gary Patterson said. “He played all the way through it and then we MRI-ed it again. He kinda dinged it the West Virginia game and then he didn’t play in the Iowa State game.”
When asked about the injury, Patterson said that Verrett’s recovery would be relatively simple.
“[The doctors] feel like it’s gonna be a very short process,” Patterson said. “Everybody that’s done it has been able to be back before camp. On the high road, I think that’s what he’s anticipating. That he’ll be back before camp.”
Verrett also posted a vertical jump of 39.5, which is a small improvement of his NFL Combine performance. He sat out of the 40-yard dash Thursday after running it in 4.38 seconds at the combine.
CBSSports.com projects Verrett as a late first round/early second round draft pick come May.
“He’s a really smart kid,” Patterson said. “Studies film. Does a lot of thing that you wanna do.”
Verrett began his career at TCU with a dud, being burned several times for long touchdowns during the Frogs’ 50-48 loss to Baylor in 2011, but quickly turned into a defensive leader for TCU.
“[He’s] here from a guy who gives up two or three touchdown passes the first game against Baylor when he first came here to a Walter Camp two-time All American,” Patterson said. “Basically, our two corners gave up only two touchdown passes this year.”
The Frogs finished last season with the Big 12’s top rushing defense and second-best total defense, according to ESPN.
Patterson went on to praise Verrett’s intelligence on the football field.
“He’ll be smart enough to learn all that stuff,” Patterson said. “He understands concept really well.”
According to Charean Williams, a writer for the Fort Worth-Star Telegram, Verrett will work out with the Carolina Panthers Friday.
TCU CB Jason Verrett says he will work out for Carolina tomorrow.
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) March 6, 2014
The NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on Thursday, May 8.
