There's no doubt Leonard Fournette showed up to the NFL Scouting Combine in late March heavier than he would have wanted. While his 40-yard-dash time didn't suffer, other areas did.
On Wednesday, at LSU's pro day in Baton Rouge, Fournette (6-foot-0 3/8, 228) arrived in much better shape, down 12 pounds from what he weighed in Indianapolis five weeks ago. He stood on all of his numbers from the combine, but went through what was described to me as an "exceptional" workout. He caught the ball extremely well, showing teams he can be an every-down back in the NFL and solidifying his status as the top runner in a deep running back draft.
All 32 teams sent representatives to watch 18 players work out indoors on FieldTurf. Among those in attendance were NFL five head coaches (Steelers' Mike Tomlin, Titans' Mike Mularkey, Lions' Jim Caldwell, Jets' Todd Bowles and Sean Payton of the Saints), five general managers (including the Giants' Jerry Reese and the Titans' Jon Robinson), and at least two defensive backs coaches.
Fournette wasn't the only player they were interested in watching. LSU, like most years, has several top players. Here are the pro day results for the 10 who were at the combine, and another who emerged from the pro day as a potential post-draft free agent.
» Safety Jamal Adams (5-11 3/4, 212) ran one 40 in 4.45 seconds and stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine. He had a great workout in positional drills.
» LB Kendell Beckwith (6-2 1/4, 245) was only weighed and measured. He tore the ACL in his left knee last November and still isn't ready to work out.
» DE Tashawn Bower (6-4 1/4, 250) ran the 40 in 4.82 and 4.84 seconds had a 34-inch vertical, a 10-foot-4 broad jump, and stood on the rest of his combine numbers. He was worked out as a hand-in-the-ground end and as a linebacker in space. They were trying to tire him out, but he was just as strong at the end as he was at the start.
» WR Malachi Dupre (6-2 1/4, 192) had a 10-0 broad jump and ran a 4.22-second short shuttle before standing on the rest of his combine numbers. He had a good workout, with only one drop.
» WR Travin Dural (6-0 3/4, 199) just ran a pair of 40s (4.64 and 4.65 seconds). He stood on the rest of his combine numbers before going through position drills.
» DT Davon Godchaux (6-3 1/4, 301) only participated in the bench press, lifting the bar 22 times. He stood on the rest of his numbers from Indianapolis, and had a strong workout.
» Center Ethan Pocic (6-6, 317) stood on all of his combine numbers and went through a positional workout.
» OLB Duke Riley (6-0 3/8, 230) ran the 40 in 4.65 and 4.64 seconds. If an LSU player could be classified as a sleeper, this guy would qualify. He's like Deion Jones, who was drafted by the Falcons in the second round last year and went on to have a productive rookie season.
» CB Tre'Davious White (5-10, 193) ran a pair of 4.52-second 40s, before going through an exceptional workout.
» Safety Rickey Jefferson (5-10 3/4, 208) ran the 40 in 4.56 and 4.55 seconds, had a 35.5-inch vertical, a 10-0 broad jump, a 4.46-second short shuttle, a 7.00-second three-cone drill, and added 17 strength lifts. He wasn't invited to the combine but I would imagine he'll be a priority free agent after the draft.
Other notable pro day results from Wednesday
BAYLOR
» WR KD Cannon (5-11, 174) has a 4.37-second short shuttle, a 7.10-second three-cone and stood on the rest of his combine numbers.
» Center Kyle Fuller (6-4 7/8, 304) stood on all of his numbers from the combine, and had a very good workout in position drills. One of his best traits: 34 1/2-inch arms.
» QB Seth Russell (6-2 7/8, 216) still isn't fully recovered from a gruesome ankle injury that finished his season last November. While he didn't do any testing, he did go through a quarterback workout. He threw the ball well on short and intermediate passes, but had some accuracy issues with the deep ball.
» WR Ishmael Zamora (6-3 1/2, 224) ran the 40 in 4.53 and 4.53 seconds, had a 40-inch vertical, an 11-1 broad jump, a 4.34-second short shuttle, a 7.10-second three-cone, and added 13 strength lifts. He projects as a Day 3 selection.
» Safety Orion Stewart (6-0 1/4, 203) ran the 40 in 4.58 and 4.58 seconds, had a 37.5-inch vertical, a 10-5 broad jump, a 4.11-second short shuttle, and a 7.05-second three-cone. He is a projected priority free agent.
» RB Shock Linwood (5-9, 201) ran the 40 in a disappointing 4.78 and 4.72 seconds. You might remember, he was the player who decided to skip Baylor's bowl game in order to get a head start on working out for the draft. Didn't pay off.
SOUTHERN A&M
On Wednesday, representatives from seven teams watched seven players work out outdoors in windy conditions.
» RB Lenard Tillery (5-9 1/8, 201) ran the 40 in 4.60 and 4.56 seconds, had a 33-inch vertical, a 9-5 broad jump, a 4.51-second short shuttle, a 7.21-second three-cone, and 16 bench lifts.
Follow Gil Brandt on Twitter _@GilBrandt_.
