2013 OU Football Pro Day Notes
Nov 24, 2012; Norman OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Tom Wort (21) celebrates with linebacker Corey Nelson (7) during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Rowe-USA TODAY Sports
March 13 was the 2013 OU Football Pro Day, where reps from all 32 NFL teams cane to Norman to watch the Sooners’ players workout at the Everest Training Center. The event saw physical tests and position drills as the Sooners’ players look to improve their NFL stock.
Two players that might have seen their stock slip were Tom Wort and David King, who both strained their hamstrings while running the 40-yard dash for scouts. Wort left Oklahoma early to try his hand in the NFL but he was really a borderline draft choice heading into the NFL Draft and this unfortunate event might have tilted the scales in the wrong direction.
"“It’s just something silly. I’ve never hurt a hamstring, and to do it today … I’m a little frustrated about that,” said Wort."
Lane Johnson, who is predicted as a first round draft pick, especially after his impressive Combine showing, chose not to work out for scouts at the 2013 OU Football Pro Day, figuring he had nothing left to prove. After Wort’s hamstring problems, it seems like that might have been the right choice.
"“I thought (about running) and then I started training for it,” Johnson said. “I thought I’d better not… I got everything accomplished that I wanted to. Now, it’s just interviews with teams. Everything is taking place how I wanted it to. It’s kind of crazy, the whole process.”"
Another Sooners’ draft day hopeful who didn’t do too much to help his cause at the 2013 OU Football Pro Day was Landry Jones. He didn’t take part in any of the skills testing events, but he did throw for the NFL scouts. His first few balls were not the best passing attempts, but he settled down and finished strong.
"“That first ball didn’t come out necessarily the way I wanted to but sometimes it happens on that deep ball stuff,” Jones said. “We got a good laugh out of it and once that was over, played ball and threw it well. I think it might’ve been just a little nerves.”"
The 2013 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-27 in New York City.