Former Griz shine for scouts at Pro Day
Patrick O’Connell works out for scouts during Pro Day at the Champions Center and in Washington-Grizzly Stadium on April 4. (Tommy Martino/UM Photo)
MISSOULA — Ask any of the 11 quarterbacks Justin Ford intercepted during his time at Montana, and they'll likely agree: throw to his side of the field at your own risk.
After a record-breaking career and now months of training, Ford and six other Grizzlies will look to move on and do great things at the next level.
Those Griz took the next step toward that goal on Tuesday when nine NFL scouts converged on Missoula for the annual Griz Pro Day at Washington-Grizzly Stadium and witnessed some big-time performances from the professional hopefuls.
Despite working for months to prepare for one day, Ford was his usual relaxed self on Tuesday. With some big numbers in testing, including 20 reps on the 225-pound bench, the unanimous All-American corner's preparation shined through.
"I've been waiting for this day. I feel like my training has prepared me for this moment, and I think everything went exactly as it was supposed to. I'm happy with how I performed," said Ford.
"I just wanted to be in the moment. I'm big on that. Just staying where my feet are. So, I was just enjoying it. It will probably be my last time playing football on this field, so I was just embracing it all and reminiscing on the things I've done here. It's kind of cool and surreal wrapping up my college career and being on this field for one more day.
"I probably turned some heads on my bench. I had a great show on 20 reps. The most at the combine was 18, so being able to top that by two reps is perfect. But I think overall, my athleticism showed in my drills. Like I said, I'm happy with what I did today."
n addition to Ford, former Grizzlies Eli Alford (DL), Adam Botkin (KP), Jayden Dawson (CB), Malik Flowers (WR/KR), Patrick O'Connell (LB), and Marcus Welnel (LB) all returned to Missoula in the hope of catching a scouts eye.
Three players from NAIA teams in Montana were also in Missoula to undergo testing. They included D-lineman Garrett Kocab from Carroll College, and offensive guard Noah Danielson and quarterback Jon Jund from Montana Western.
Each of the Grizzlies on hand put in some stellar performances that, if they were in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine, would have placed them among the elite in their position groups.
Ford definitely turned heads with his bench press. At 20 reps of 225 pounds, he showed his physicality with more reps than any other cornerback at this year's combine. His vertical jump of 35 inches would also have placed him among the top-18 corners at the combine.
O'Connell also had a stellar day for the scouts. The Kalispell native's 38.5-inch vertical would have tied Vanderbilt's Anfernee Orjii for the highest at the combine among linebackers and would be a top-30 result among all the participants.
His pro shuttle time of 4.28 would also have been the second-fastest among linebackers and top-20 among all players at the combine, while his 6.97 in the 3-cone drill would also have been the second-fastest time among linebackers and a top-20 overall result.
His 40 time of 4.65 would have been a top-15 result among linebackers, and his broad jump of 10-foot two-inches would have been top seven in the group as well.
Welnel was another Montana linebacker that would have put up some of the best numbers in his position at the combine. The Helena native posted a 36.5-inch vert, which would have been top-five at the combine among linebackers.
His standing broad of 9-foot-11 would have been a top 10 mark, and his shuttle of 4.38 is tied for 3rd at the combine among linebackers.
Alford started the day strong with a remarkable 31 reps on the 225-pound bench, which would have been tied for the fifth-most at the combine among all athletes, the second-most among defensive tackles and the most among defensive ends.
Flowers, the NCAA record-holder for kickoff return touchdowns, burned his way to a 4.46 time in the 40, which would have been a top-40 overall result at the combine and a top-20 result for a wide receiver. His pro shuttle time of 4.39 would have also been a top-20 result among receivers.
Dawson, who led UM in pass breakups at corner last year, burned his way to a 4.40 time in the shuttle, a top-eight finish at this year's combine.
Botkin, a kicker, showed his athleticism as well with a 35.5-inch vertical jump, which would have been the best of any specialist at the combine and a top-75 overall result among the 200-plus participants.
The 2023 NFL Draft is set for Kansas City, Missouri, April 27-29.