Pro Day Risers and Sliders

Week two of the pro-day workouts schedule showed a big up tick in action as several major programs hosted scouts. The majority of this week's risers come from the defensive side of the ball, with a number of linebackers leading the way.

Vernon Gholston, DE-OLB -- Ohio State

He continues to impress NFL decision-makers. He bettered many of his combine numbers on March 7 in Columbus with a 40 time of 4.56 seconds and a vertical jump of 42 inches. League insiders are now saying they would not be surprised if Bill Parcells uses the first pick of the draft to select Gholston, who has the best potential to be an impact defensive player.

Jerod Mayo, LB -- Tennessee

He turned in an impressive vertical jump of 40.5 inches, a full 8.5 better than his combine result. He also completed 22 reps on the bench, another solid mark. Mayo looked outstanding in position drills and scouts feel he has cemented a spot for himself in Round 1.

Zach Bowman, CB -- Nebraska

The Cornhusker defensive back was the star of the Nebraska workout last Wednesday. His times ranged from 4.35 to 4.39 after he weighed in at 195 pounds. He then looked terrific in the position drills. Bowman's surgically repaired knees have not received any red-flags thus far.

Aqib Talib, CB -- Kansas

He was another Big 12 cornerback who impressed with his speed this week. His 40 time of 4.41 was much better than his combine clockings, which ranged in the low 4.5 area. Talib twice answered questions about his speed (pro day and the combine) and is moving up draft boards.

Bryan Kehl, LB -- BYU

The multi-dimensional linebacker weighed in at 238 and then turned in an outstanding performance. His times of 4.56 and 4.57 were more than one-tenth faster than his combine performance. He then turned heads with a 6.54-second showing in the three-cone run, which was faster than any of the times turned in by the defensive backs at the combine.

Wilrey Fontenot, CB -- Arizona

The Wildcats diminutive cornerback improved on his already fast times from the combine. He ran under 4.4 in the 50, with some watches clocking him as fast as 4.35.

Craig Stevens, TE -- California

He ran faster than expected at the combine and improved his stock even more at his pro day by improving his vertical jump by five inches, touching the tape at 32.5. He really impressed scouts with an outstanding pass-catching workout, something he was not known for at Cal. Stevens is surging up draft boards and heading into the early part of round three.

Ben Moffitt, LB -- South Florida

Moffit ran around 4.60, significantly faster than scouts expected. His vertical jump of 37.5 inches bettered his combine mark by five.

Robert Jordan, WR -- California

Cal's third receiver outshone his more heralded teammates, DeSean Jackson and LaVelle Hawkins, by running in the 4.4 area (scouts considered him a 4.6 wideout) and looking more fluid in the pass catching workouts.

Brandon Carr, CB -- Grand Valley State

He measured 6-0 and 207 pounds. He then ran in the 4.3 range, completed 17 reps on the bench, turned in a 35-inch vertical jump and stood out in position drills.

Vince Redd, OLB -- Liberty

Redd, who began his college career at Virginia before transferring to Liberty, turned in a workout for the ages. He measured 6-6, weighed in at 263 and then turned in forty times that ranged in the mid-4.5 area, with some stopwatches reading 4.48. He also posted a 39-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-10 broad jump.

Jonathan Stewart, RB -- Oregon

He underwent surgery last week to correct a turf toe injury suffered in November. He was able to play through the pain and even competed at the combine. Sources say Stewart knew the injury was a problem when he decided to enter the draft in January. He'll be sidelined the next four months and is likely to slip into the second round.

Bruce Davis, OLB-DE -- UCLA

Davis continues to disappoint in the predraft season. His 40 times were a pedestrian 4.83 and 4.81 with he had a 32-inch vertical jump. He is considered too small to play defensive end at 252 pounds and does not have the foot speed necessary to make a switch to linebacker.

Adarius Bowman, WR -- Oklahoma State

He's another draft hopeful whose performances the past three months have resulted in a lower grade. He was unable to break 4.7 in the 40 and dropped passes during position drills, something that was also common at the Senior Bowl.

Robert James, OLB -- Arizona State

His draft stock was on an upswing after a terrific senior season but has taken a major drop since. He ran a single 40 at the combine then pulled out of the remaining workout with a sore hamstring. James replayed this same scenario at his pro day, which left scouts questioning his desire.

• Georgia Tech defensive end/outside linebacker Darrell Robertson tore a pectoral muscle while training for the combine and is not likely to work out before the draft. Scouts feel this should not hurt Robertson's draft grade as he capped a terrific '07 season with a good performance at the Senior Bowl.

• Mount Union could have a record number of NFL scouts on campus next Thursday when receiver Pierre Garcon works out at his pro day. The record-setting Division III prospect has garnered a lot of interest after a solid showing at the combine.