All-American Miller Headlines Texas A&M NFL Pro Day
Mar 09, 2011 | Football
March 9, 2011
Results | 
Photo Gallery
Video Highlights:
Recap | M. Allen | M. Featherston | J. Lane | V. Miller | L. Patterson | J. Johnson
Two-time All-American and projected top five draft pick Von Miller impressed a large group of NFL coaches and scouts with his rare blend of speed and athleticism at Texas A&M's Pro Day on Wednesday at the McFerrin Athletic Center
Representatives from 14 NFL teams watched Miller and five of his former A&M teammates participate in a variety of drills in preparation for the 2011 NFL Draft, which will be conducted April 28-30. In addition to Miller, the Texas A&M Pro Day participants were quarterback Jerrod Johnson, offensive center Matt Allen and defensive lineman Lucas Patterson from the 2010 team, as well as former standouts running back Jorvorskie Lane and linebacker Matt Featherston.
Miller, who was projected to go fifth overall to the Arizona Cardinals in a mock draft released by Sport Illustrated on Wednesday, participated in the 40-yard dash, the 5-10-5 shuttle and the L drill, as well as pass coverage drop drills directed by Cleveland Browns linebackers coach Bill Davis. Miller measured in at 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds and turned in times of 4.50 in the 40, 4.19 in the 5-10-5 and 6.88 in the L drill.
After the morning's activities, Miller seemed ready to do it all over again.
"Is there anything else anyone wants?" Miller asked with a grin. "I'm ready to keep going. Whatever they want, I'm ready to do it. I thought there was a reason (to participate today despite his impressive NFL Combine showing). I wanted to improve my 40 time, my three-cone and my L drill, and I just wanted to be with my teammates again. It was good to get back in the indoor facility, get that familiar smell going on and just being around my teammates. I think it went great. It was just working out, but they call it the Pro Day. I didn't want to stress over it a lot. I just wanted to come out here and work out."
| 2011 Pro Day Results | ||||||||
| Name | Height | Weight | 40-Yard Dash | Bench | 5-10-5 Shuttle | L Drill | Vertical Jump | Broad Jump |
| Matt Allen | 6' 2" | 285 | 5.26 | 25 | 4.63 | 7.69 | 28.5" | 8' 5" |
| Matt Featherston | 6' 2" | 255 | 4.81 | 23 | - | - | 35" | 8' 9.5" |
| Jerrod Johnson | 6' 5" | 248 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Jorvorskie Lane | 5' 11" | 277 | 4.87 | 18 | 4.41 | 7.58 | 32.5" | 8' 6" |
| Von Miller | 6' 3" | 243 | 4.50 | - | 4.19 | 6.88 | - | - |
| Lucas Patterson | 6' 4" | 293 | 5.10 | 32 | 4.45 | 7.51 | 30.5" | 8' 6" |
Aggie head coach Mike Sherman said that the buzz around Miller's NFL Draft prospects has been a boost to the Texas A&M football program. Last year, Miller decided to stay in school for his senior season after flirting with the idea of declaring for the 2010 NFL Draft.
"Von played very well for us this past season, but he's probably done more for the program since the last game simply by the recognition he's received - the Butkus Award, the NFL Combine and the constant conversation that's going with Von Miller," Sherman said. "He's done a lot for us as far as putting us back on the map."
Johnson, who set virtually every A&M passing and total offense record, only threw for the scouts and was impressive. Johnson, who measured in at 6-foot-5 and 248 pounds, had shoulder surgery after the 2009 season, and his shoulder was never completely healed during a 2010 senior season that saw him losing his starting job at midseason.
"I'm ready to go. I'm about healed," Johnson said. "I'm ready to get back on a team so I'm looking for somebody to give me the opportunity and I'll make the most of it. I say I'm about 95 percent healed (from shoulder surgery). I'm about ready to go. I still need some strengthening, but I'm fine.
"I think I did well. I think I made a lot of good throws. I wanted to show them that the arm strength was back and the shoulder is headed in the right direction. I wanted to show them that the arm strength is back to where it's been all my life. There were a couple of throws I wanted back so it wasn't a perfect day. I'm not satisfied, but I did well and still have ways I can improve."
Added Sherman, "Jerrod is the consummate worker. From the end of the season until now, he's been working and trying to improve his game. He'll be with someone when the season starts, I believe. You don't have to worry about Jerrod Johnson. He's going to work, he's going to study, he's going to interview well and he's a phenomenal person."
Johnson grew up in the Houston and made no secret about his affinity for the Houston Texans, who are coached by former A&M quarterback Gary Kubiak.
"I'm a kid from Humble, from the Houston area, so I would love to play for the Texans," Johnson said. "I love the Texans, but whoever drafts me is going to get a good kid and I'm definitely going to put in the work."
Allen, who earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2010, measured in at 6-2, 285 and posted times of 5.26 in the 40, 4.63 in the 5-10-5 and 7.69 in the L drill. He also had 25 repetitions of 225 pounds in bench press, a 28.5 inch vertical jump and a mark of 8 feet, 5 inches in the broad jump.
Patterson, a first-team All-Big 12 pick, measured in a 6-4, 293 and posted times of 5.10 in the 40, 4.45 in the 5-10-5 and 7.51 in the L drill. He also had 32 repetitions of 225 pounds in bench press, a 30.5 inch vertical jump and a mark of 8 feet, 6 inches in the broad jump.
Featherston measured in at 6-2, 255, and posted a time of 4.81 in the 40. He also had 23 repetitions of 225 pounds in bench press, a 35 inch vertical jump and a mark of 8 feet, 9.5 inches in the broad jump.
Lane, A&M's all-time leading touchdown scorer with 50 from 2005-08, had dropped 44 pounds to 277 pounds and was noticeably quicker. He posted a time of 4.87 in the 40, 4.41 in the 5-10-5 and 7.58 in the L drill. He also had 18 repetitions of 225 pounds in bench press, a 32.5 inch vertical jump and a mark of 8 feet, 6 inches in the broad jump.
