The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Tracking the Longhorns: 2018 Pro Day
03.28.2018 | Football
Sixteen Longhorns with NFL aspirations participated in Pro Day on Wednesday.
Offensive Lineman Connor Williams
On what the process has been like for him: It's been exciting. It's like going through boxes and I'm checking everything off one by one. Pro Day is over now so the next thing on the list is the NFL Draft.
On the process being like a job interview: Yes, in a way. All of these things that we go to are pretty much just job interviews. Teams want to be able to determine our character and who we are.
On what he wanted to accomplish at his Pro Day: This was the first time that we really got to do O-line drills. At the combine you don't get to do as many O-line drills so the Pro Day was more O-line specific. I was able to work with the coach and go through the drills with him. I think they [scouts] got to see what they got to see.
On Texas producing a highly drafted O-lineman: It makes me excited that I can prove the tradition right and that offensive lineman do come out of here [Texas]. It makes me excited for the university to be able to represent them in that way.
Defensive Back Holton Hill
On his Pro Day experience: It felt smooth, as far as getting back to it and being back in the good Longhorn atmosphere. It was amazing being around my teammates and everybody. It felt like home.
On the mental aspect of the combine: Most of us are used to the physical part. As far as the mental part, it's just about staying focused and true to it. At times, it can get overwhelming but you just have to stay focused on the end goal. That makes everything much easier.
On his experience at the combine: It was really a different experience and I wouldn't change it for anything. I grew up watching the combine but I didn't grow up being around 32 different doctors pulling on you and going through your medical history and all of that stuff. It was a different experience but I enjoyed it.
On what this last year has been like: It's just been a learning experience for me. Trials and tribulations. You live and you learn. It was a living experience. I had to take everything that happened in the past, move on from it and grow as a person and use it to help me going forward.
Defensive Back DeShon Elliot
On his performance at Pro Day: I think I did really well today. I just wanted to come out here, have fun and work hard like I always do.
On his experience at Pro Day versus the combine: It was way more loose and less stressful. I was able to push some of the guys to compete. At the combine everyone was stressed out and it was too quiet. I didn't want that to happen here. I wanted to go out and show them that we can loosen up and have fun.
On the benefits of having a Pro Day: There are a lot of benefits, especially sleep. Not having to wake up early everyday and go through stuff and be stressed out all day. We all got sleep and were able to just come out here and have fun.
On potentially having multiple Texas players drafted and what that means for the program: We're setting the tone for sure. We have about eight or nine guys that are going to the draft this year and I feel confident that all of us will get drafted. With that being said, going forward, this is only the beginning. Not only with that but with wins also. This is just the start.
Linebacker Malik Jefferson
On his Pro Day experience: First of all, I'm just really excited that I'm here. I'm privileged to be back here in front of everybody and to have the opportunity to perform one more time. It's really important that I was out here representing my school. I'm trying to make my own name and my own brand and become a pro. I appreciate all you guys for everything that you all have done, as far as covering me for these past couple of years.
On what he was trying to accomplish today: To just be smooth. I wanted to show them [scouts] that I still move well. I didn't really want to do anything crazy and my big thing was just to show them that I can move in space and move as fast as I can.
On the nerves of performing back on campus: It's a totally different feel [from the combine]. It's funny. The guys that don't go to the combine are nervous and all the ones that did go are so relaxed because we're around our peers and who we're used to being around in your own environment. I enjoyed myself a lot.
On mental aspect of the combine: Yeah, it is more of a mental thing. You have to block out everything and just think and focus on yourself. But here it's more relaxed and you can play around a little bit and chop it up with the guys.
Running Back Chris Warren III
On if he has a lot to prove: Not necessarily a lot to prove but I do feel like there are things that I need to go out and do. Everybody has to do that because you're coming out of college and you're about to be a rookie so you have to be able to show that you're ready to work.
On what his journey over the last year has been like: It's been a process. Definitely not something that your average person would do. But it doesn't matter now. It's over and it's in the past. I'm just looking forward to the future.
On the difference between Pro Day and the combine: It's more comfortable here because you know a lot more people but aside from that it's very routine. It's a lot of the same things but at the combine it's a lot faster but it's not that big of a deal.
On telling NFL teams he intends on playing running back: I will play whatever position they [NFL teams] want me to play but I fully, 110% intend on playing running back in the NFL.
Punter Michael Dickson
On what the process has been like: It's been rewarding so far. I've been loving getting into the grind and working hard, punting and lifting as much as I can. I'm just enjoying the ride so far. There's a lot of pressure and anxiety leading up to a day like this and the combine but that's what you do it for. You love moments like that.
On the most shocking thing about the process: The process is shocking at first but when you think about it, you're an investment. [NFL teams] want to see if you're worth putting their time and money into and helping their team. So it makes sense and they're pretty thorough the questions and everything.
On coming back and working out with special teams: I try to come up every practice and get with them while I'm still in town. They're my brothers and I want to help them out as much as possible.
Defensive Lineman Poona Ford
On his Pro Day experience: I wasn't really worried about it [not getting a combine invite]. I just used it to my advantage. I had more time to prepare and come out here and just do my thing.
On having a history of being counted out: It's not new to me at all. I'm used to being at a disadvantage. I feel like I'm a strong person. God doesn't give his strongest battles to the weakest person.
On the importance of the Pro Day because he did not get a combine invite: I didn't know it was going to be big. I just tried not to put too much pressure on myself.
Linebacker Naashon Hughes
On his performance: I felt pretty good today. I hit all of the numbers I wanted to on the tests and drills.
On the importance of the Pro Day because he did not get a combine invite: It means the world. I've been training in Chicago with Mike Singletary and his training staff. I've been out there grinding so to be able to come out here and showcase what I've been doing the last couple of months means the world.
Defensive Back Jason Hall
On feeling like he had something to prove at his Pro Day: For sure. [Antwuan Davis] and I didn't get a lot of attention but we're not tripping about that. Our work will show for itself.
On what he brings to an NFL team: I bring the energy. You have to keep the energy up on a team. Once you bring that mindset to the team, nothing but positive things will happen.
Defensive Back Antwuan Davis
On feeling like he had something to prove at his Pro Day: I definitely let people know that I'm a competitor. Through everything that I have been through I'm going to compete no matter what it is. That's one life lesson I always take with me. Hopefully a team wants a competitor and they'll find that in me.
On the importance of the Pro Day because he did not get a combine invite: It's very important. I think about that I've been training for this day for 22 years of my life and this day is here. I feel like all I can do is come out here and do my best and I did it with some of the best guys.
Wide Receiver Lorenzo Joe
On his performance at Pro Day: I feel like it went well. There were a few slips here and there but I gave it my all. I was a little anxious before. Today kind of had a game day-like feel to it. Overall, I thought that I did well and I did my best.
On the importance of the Pro Day because he did not get a combine invite: For me, not getting a combine invite gives you a little bit more time to prepare. But when you see other schools doing their Pro Days it makes you want to get yours over with. Leading up to it I was thinking about it a lot but once I got here I started feeling good.
Wide Receiver Armanti Foreman
On what he would bring to an NFL team: I think I can be an explosive playmaker. Whether its playing receiver or special teams. I feel like I can be a playmaker and make a difference.
On the importance of the Pro Day because he did not get a combine invite: It's a blessing to just be out here in front of scouts. It was also a little bit nerve-wrecking because you only get this one opportunity. It's not like going to the combine, where if you don't do well you get another shot. It's just one shot to show what you have. Today I felt like I did okay but there are some things where I can get better. I'm not going to let it get me down. I'm just going to go in and keep on working and continue to get better.
