B.J. Coleman said he didn’t expect to be nervous today when he works out for NFL scouts during the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s pro day.
Despite missing out on a chance to throw during the NFL combine because of a pinkie injury, Coleman said there is no extra pressure to perform at a high level today. The pro day, he said, is just part of the larger evaluation process.
“Pro day I sum up like this: it’s an opportunity, kind of that second-to-last phase of that job interview,” he said. “The interview started on Dec. 26, when I left [to go train in Hattiesburg, Miss.]. Then I did the [East-West Shrine Game] and went to the combine, now it’s the pro day and then I’ll probably do some private workouts.”
The pro day will start with measurements and tests in the Wolford Family Strength and Conditioning Center before the players and scouts head out to Finley Stadium to run and throw and catch.
Also working out today will be former Mocs wide receiver Joel Bradford and defensive back Chris Lewis-Harris. In addition, Tennessee Tech wide receiver Tim Benford, the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference offensive player of the year from Chattanooga, will catch Coleman’s passes.
Benford, who also attended the combine, did all of the non-catching elements at Tennessee Tech’s pro day last month.
“I can just run routes and showcase my skills once again,” he said. “At a pro day you want to be at your best. There will be a lot of scouts here and I want to make B.J. look good and myself look good.”
Two other receivers that will be participating today are wideout Wesley Idlette, a Chattanooga native that played at Maryville College, and tight end Dallas Walker, who played at Western Michigan. Walker’s family moved to Chattanooga several years ago, which makes him eligible to participate in UTC’s pro day.
John Frierson is in his fifth year at the Times Free Press and fifth year covering University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletics. The bulk of his time is spent covering Mocs football, but he also writes about women’s basketball and the big-picture issues and news involving the athletic department. A native of Athens, Ga., John grew up a few hundred yards from the University of Georgia campus. Instead of becoming a Bulldog he attended Ole ...
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