By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
PHOTO GALLERY
TAMPA, MARCH 26, 2015 – USF stars of the past assembled once again for a job interview like no other Thursday afternoon at the Morsani Practice Complex.
Representatives from 22 NFL teams were on campus to watch more than 20 former Bulls participate in USF Pro Day.
Among the cast of NFL hopefuls were record-breaking receiver Andre Davis, linebacker Reshard Cliett, center Austin Reiter, defensive linemen Elkino Watson and Todd Chandler, tight end Mike McFarland, kicker Marvin Kloss and defensive back Chris Dunkley among 17 players from the 2014 USF team.
“I haven't seen a lot of these guys in three, four months, so it was good to see them,” Reiter said. “A lot of these guys look really good. They've been working really hard and I'm happy for them.”
Davis set 13 USF receiving records, including top marks for career receptions (153), receiving yards (2,136) and receiving touchdowns (17). The Tampa native and former Jefferson High School standout is known for his pass-catching ability and used Pro Day as an opportunity to show scouts what he can do with his legs.
“I showed them I could run and get in and out of my breaks. That's really what they wanted to see,” Davis said.
Another Bull that grabbed scouts' attention was Cliett, who ranked fifth in the American Athletic Conference with a career-best six sacks last season. The Thomasville, Ga., native led all participants with a 38 ½-inch vertical jump and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds. Cliett also benched 225 pounds 21 times.
“I definitely feel like I helped my cause,” Cliett said. “I feel like people don't really know what I could do and I think I put on a good show for them.”
Strength is essential for linemen at the next level and the Bulls put up solid numbers in the weight room. Chandler, a defensive tackle from Miami, benched 225 a total of 29 times, followed by Eatmon's 27 and Darrell Williams' 22 reps.
Reiter bench pressed 32 reps five days ago at the super regional in Arizona and registered an impressive vertical leap of 34 inches on Thursday. Other standouts in the vertical jump were receiver Deonte Welch and McFarland at 35 inches, and Dunkley (33 1/2 inches).
McFarland, a 6-foot-5, 252-pound playmaker, impressed himself with 18 reps on the bench and the Tampa native out of Blake High School was appreciative of the pro platform USF provided Thursday.
“It's motivating to the fullest extent,” he said. “This was always my childhood dream for me just to be able to perform in front of these teams. Hopefully one day I'll be able to play for one of them.”
Davis, Reiter and the rest of USF's pro prospects plan to keep driving their stock up leading up to the NFL Draft that takes place April 30-May 2.
Former Bulls Show Their Support
Wide receiver Carlton Mitchell led the group of older Bulls participating in Pro Day while other big names were on hand to show their support. The list of attendees included Denver Broncos cornerback Kayvon Webster and former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas.
The USF Football program completed its 18th season and 15th at the FBS level in 2014. The Bulls have made six bowl appearances, including every season between 2005-10, and have four bowl game victories. USF has produced 14 All-America selections, 23 NFL Draft picks and reached the No. 2 ranking in the Associated Press Poll in 2007.
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