Sun Devils hold Pro Day in front of big NFL contingent

TEMPE, Ariz. – How high can you jump?

How much can you lift?

How fast can you run?

And can you do all of the above better than the next guy?

Those were the questions a number of Sun Devil senior football players and other draft-eligible prospects attempted to answer during ASU’s Pro Day on Friday.

“I caught everything that came my way, so I’m happy with how I did,” tight end Chris Coyle said.

“I feel like I did good, feel like I came here and did what I wanted to do. No regrets at all,” safety Alden Darby added.

ASU invited all 32 NFL teams. Many were represented. The Cardinals sent a strong contingent, including coaches Brentson Buckner (defensive line), Mike Caldwell (linebackers), David Diaz-Infante (offensive assistant), Stump Mitchell (running backs) and Nick Rapone (defensive backs).

The one head coach spotted was Chuck Pagano of the Indianapolis Colts. He and Will Sutton, the two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, had a brief conversation after the workout.

The day began in the weight room with the vertical jump and bench press.

Defensive end Davon Coleman made perhaps the biggest impression. He lifted 225 pounds a team-high 35 times.

“They really liked my strength. They didn’t think I was that strong,” he said with a smile. “So, just to turn some heads and surprise some people I was really happy about that.”

Later, the work moved inside Sun Devil Stadium for some on-field drills, including the 40-yard dash.

Linebacker Carl Bradford came away pleased with his 40-time. He said he ran a 4.64, an improvement from the 4.76 he ran at the NFL Combine.

“It was my home turf…got a good night’s sleep instead of waking up at 4:00. I felt good,” he said.

Running back Marion Grice did not run. He did not run at the Combine either. Grice did participate in position drills but said he’s 100 percent recovered from the broken right leg he suffered in the game at UCLA.

“I’m feeling fine. I just need more time to train, get myself prepared,” he said.

Grice said he will hold his own pro day on April 8.

Meanwhile, Bradford said he’s been contacted by the Cardinals about a visit ahead of the draft. He may be one of the more intriguing Sun Devil players. Teams like his overall athletic ability. He can rush the quarterback as well as drop back in coverage. Bradford even mentioned a team asked him about fullback, a position he played in high school.

“I felt like (leaving after my junior season) was a good choice by me and by the people I talked to. I feel satisfied with that choice I made,” he said.

The Cardinals, according to Darby, have also reached out to him. He’s been in contact with the Bears, Patriots and Ravens as well.

Darby, like so many who participated in ASU’s Pro Day, was not invited to the Combine.

“My path is different,” he said. “Everything happens for a reason. I can’t sit and be mad. I’m not going to sit there and stress about it. I wish I could’ve been there. Shoulda. Coulda. Woulda. But hey, it is what it is. Move on. Red light, green light is like I like to call it. I can’t control it.”

The draft will take place May 8-10.

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