Representatives from 15 NFL teams, including a linebackers coach from the Arizona Cardinals and a running backs coach from the Indianapolis Colts, were present at Purdue's pro day on Wednesday.
A total of 14 players worked out indoors on FieldTurf at the Mollenkopf Athletic Center, where a running back not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine might have vaulted himself into 2015 NFL Draft consideration.
Defensive end Ryan Russell (6-foot-4 3/8, 268 pounds) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.74 and 4.68 seconds. Unfortunately, he strained his right hamstring on the second attempt. He tried to continue the workout, but it did not go well due to the hamstring injury.
Running back Akeem Hunt (5-9 3/4, 189) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 and 4.36 seconds. He had a 37-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-2 broad jump. He did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.11 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.71 seconds. He performed 14 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Hunt really was impressive in the positional workout, looking outstanding catching the ball coming out of the backfield. Based on this workout, Hunt will be a draft choice, most likely in the late rounds.
Purdue's pro day, led by the Boilermakers' very active head coach Darrell Hazell, was a well-organized event.
Follow Gil Brandt on Twitter _@GilBrandt_.
