Butch Jones says Vols' biggest pro day shows 'how far we've come' [photos]

Quarterback Josh Dobbs throws to a receiver during Tennessee NFL Pro Day on Friday, March 31, 2017, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Quarterback Josh Dobbs throws to a receiver during Tennessee NFL Pro Day on Friday, March 31, 2017, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

KNOXVILLE - It's been a few years since Tennessee hosted a pro day like the one it held Friday.

Once again the NFL's focus was on Knoxville, as a handful of NFL-bound former Volunteers are raring to end the program's two-year draft drought.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones had reason to be proud as he watched players he brought into the program showcase their skills for a bevy of NFL personnel.

"It's a very, very special day for Tennessee football," he said, "but it's also in the culture of our football program, it's great for all of our younger players to witness this today of how far we've come in our football program and if you work hard, days like this can be a reality.

"It just shows you how far our football program has come and where we're going."

There was buzz around Tennessee's draft classes in 2013 with the likes of Tyler Bray, Cordarrelle Patterson, Justin Hunter, Da'Rick Rogers, Dallas Thomas and Mychal Rivera and in the 2014 group heavy on linemen with Ja'Wuan James, Zach Fulton, James Stone, Tiny Richardson and Daniel McCullers.

Tennessee's draft class this year includes potential first-round picks in Derek Barnett and Alvin Kamara, plus other quality prospects such as Josh Dobbs, Cameron Sutton, Josh Malone and Jalen Reeves-Maybin and other hopefuls

All 32 NFL teams were represented Friday.

The guest list included Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, a former Tennessee quarterback who's now a rising star in the NFL coaching ranks; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie and right-hand man Joey Clinkscales, both former Vols; and Tennessee Titans quarterbacks coach Jason Michael.

"We've come a long way," said Bob Welton, Tennessee's director of player personnel. "You always can tell how talented your team is by the personnel that's at the pro day, and to have maybe close to 100 people here, and we're privy to all the workouts prior to this day, which is the most we've ever had by far of teams coming in and working these guys out privately.

"That's why a lot of the bigger names weren't here today, because they've been here already. That's never happened before."

Barnett wanted to improve on his 4.88-second 40-yard dash time at the combine, but he ran a 4.90 on his first attempt and declined to do the second one after feeling some tightness in his hamstring.

"I wanted to make sure I got through the whole workout," he said, "and I didn't just want to run my 40 and be done, because I felt like the drills were more important."

One of this draft's top edge pass-rushers, Barnett plans to attend the draft in Philadelphia next month and simply hopes to be taken the "earliest as possible," though he admits it's out of his control.

"It's not like college where I get to pick where I want to go," he said. "I think I have three great years of film playing here. I think I went through this training pretty good, and now it's up to the teams to make a decision."

Reeves-Maybin, who only did position drills at the combine, clocked an unofficial 4.65 time in the 40, but he wanted to go through a full workout despite declaring himself "probably 90 percent" healthy after shoulder surgery last fall.

"It was big for me, just because of not having been on the field performing in so long," Reeves-Maybin said. "I think it gave a lot of people a better impression of me and got them a chance to see me firsthand."

Dobbs maintained his momentum with impressive precision during his throwing sessions, and the only times the football hit the ground during the final 15 minutes of his workout were a pair of drops on perfectly thrown passes.

The quarterback, who reportedly met with the Titans recently, said he's had workouts with the Chargers, Saints and Panthers - Malone also had workouts for New Orleans and Carolina - and expects that list to grow.

"People are impressed that he's throwing it so well," said Welton, a former NFL scout. "I've been to a lot of workouts. That was the best quarterback workout I've ever seen. That was impressive, and I was really happy for him. He's done everything he's had to do since the end of the season to help himself.

Among Tennessee's other prospects, Welton said tight end Jason Croom turned some heads with a 4.63-second 40 and what he showed in pass-catching drills.

"Having all the teams here is big, not just for us but for the program, too," said cornerback Malik Foreman, who clocked an impressive 4.37-second unofficial time in the 40. "It goes back to getting Tennessee back to where it's supposed to be - at the top, competing for national championships, SEC championships and getting to the pros."

Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.

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