UW pro day notes: Price happy with performance
Apr 2, 2014, 6:26 PM | Updated: Apr 8, 2016, 10:51 am
By Brady Henderson
When Washington football was in the throes of one of the worst stretches in the program’s history, the lack of talent translated to plenty of losses and not many pro prospects.
“I’m not a very big guy but I can throw the ball with the best of ’em,” said former UW quarterback Keith Price, “and I thought I proved that today.” (AP) | More photos |
There were only five Huskies drafted from 2005-2009 – including just one who was taken in the first three rounds and none at all in the final two years of that stretch – which made for a lack of pre-draft buzz around Montlake.
Much has changed since then. Running back Bishop Sankey, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and quarterback Keith Price were the headliners Wednesday at Washington’s pro day, which was the latest reminder of how far the program has come.
Here are some notes on what went down:
Price was on point. Price wasn’t invited to the NFL scouting combine despite his record-setting career at UW, which made Wednesday’s workout that much more important. He was happy with his performance, and understandably so given how exceedingly sharp he looked during his throwing session. His accuracy and arm strength stood out during his 50 throws, some of which he delivered after maneuvering around simulated pressure. He ended with a pair of heaves that traveled about 60 yards in the air, the first just off the fingertips of the receiver and the second a few feet overthrown. The final tally, for what it’s worth: 46 of 50, including one perfectly-placed pass that was dropped. “He threw the ball great,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “Threw it about 65 (yards). That’s far enough.”
Sankey shows his hands. Sankey vaulted to No. 1 on several analysts’ rankings of the top running back prospects thanks to what was by all accounts a strong performance at the combine. For some, though, a questioned remained: his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. “I just wanted to come out here and take away any questions about my hands, and I feel like I did well,” he said. “I didn’t have any drops today, and I felt good and smooth running of my routes. So it went well.” Sankey did not run a 40-yard dash Tuesday, taking part in position work only.
ASJ still on the mend. Seferian-Jenkins did not take part in any on-field drills Wednesday, still recovering from surgery on a stress fracture in his foot that was discovered at the combine. He said the diagnosis was a surprise because while he had a sore foot during his final season at UW – after which he was voted the nation’s top tight end – it was never something that limited him. “I was walking around, playing with it,” he said. “I didn’t really think anything of it.” Seferian-Jenkins said he expects to be medically cleared by April 25 or 26.
Seahawks well represented. A large contingent of Seahawks representatives were in attendance Wednesday, including the majority of their offensive coaching staff. In addition to Carroll and general manager John Schneider, on hand were Darrell Bevell (offensive coordinator), Carl Smith (quarterbacks), Dave Canales (assistant quarterbacks/quality control), Kippy Brown (wide receivers), Pat McPherson (tight ends), Sherman Smith (running backs) and Nate Carroll (assistant).
Follow Brady Henderson on Twitter @BradyHenderson.