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By NICK SHAW
Cronkite News
TEMPE – Former Sun Devil star wide receiver Jaelen Strong captured scouts’ attention at last month’s NFL Scouting Combine. He ran a 4.44 40-yard dash and caught everything in his wake, leaving scouts raving about his workout and many draft prognosticators projecting him as the first wide receiver who will be taken in the NFL draft that begins on April 30.
Strong and his other former Sun Devil teammates had another chance to shine Friday at Arizona State’s pro day, held inside the university’s practice bubble while construction on Sun Devil Stadium continues. In front of scouts for all 32 NFL teams, ASU showcased its best draft-eligible players as they navigated through speed, agility and position drills.
Strong decided to sit out the 40-yard dash that was part of Friday’s events to stay fresh, but he did run the short-shuttle and three-cone drill. He also participated in a scripted catching drill and once again snagged everything thrown in his direction. Overall, Strong wanted to show scouts his skills outside the speed drills.
“Getting in and out of my routes,” Strong said, “showing I can dominate all over the field.”
In two years at ASU, Strong racked up 2,287 yards and 17 touchdowns. Many draft projections have Strong going in the first round after his combine showing, but wherever he goes is the draft, Strong said he will be pleased.
“It’s a blessing to get drafted,” Strong said. “People out here still fighting to get in the NFL, so to be drafted period it’s a blessing.”
Throwing to Strong was a familiar face. Taylor Kelly, who amassed over 8,000 passing yards and 79 passing touchdowns as Arizona State’s starting quarterback over the past three years, showed the quickness that fans have been accustomed to. However, his focus for the pro day was showing scouts his improved throwing mechanics.
“I just made a circle (with my throwing motion),” Kelly said. “I was literally just lifting the football and now I’m really dropping it and making that circle and having more velocity on the football.”
Defensive back Damarious Randall, another player whose draft stock is rising, has put on some size since the end of ASU’s season and looked to build on his impressive showing at the combine. Projections have Randall rated as the second-best safety in this year’s class, but said he wanted to preserve his improved draft prospects.
“I was just trying to just go out there and show that I can move around,” Randall said.
Randall said he will be visiting 11 teams, including the Seahawks, Patriots, Buccaneers, Jaguars and Panthers. Once the draft begins, though, Randall said he doesn’t believe he’ll be among the first players called on day one.
“I’m probably going to be playing FIFA,” Randall said, “but I’ll be taking in the process and just enjoying the moment.”
Other notable players who participated in ASU’s pro day included defensive lineman Marcus Hardison, who was a two-year starter and led the team with 10 sacks during the 2014 season, and offensive lineman Jamil Douglas, a consistent three-year starter and team leader who was also named a preseason candidate for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.
Jaelen Strong said he feels “blessed” to be mentioned among top players in the NFL Draft. (Cronkite News photo by Nick Shaw)