We were over in Athens yesterday at UGA’s Pro Day and few more locals, who participated in the Falcons’ locals day on Tuesday, were confirmed.
Illinois tight end Evan Wilson (Woodstock): Wilson's vertical leap of 35.5" at Illinois Pro Day would have ranked second among all tight ends at the combine . His broad jump of 10-4 would have ranked third. His three-cone drill of 7.42 (ninth), 40-yard dash of 4.85 (11th), 20-yard shuttle time of 4.50 (11th) and 19 bench press reps (11th) all would have been among the top performances for a tight end at the combine.
Southern Illinois linebacker Bryan Presume (North Cobb): He was a team captain and started all 12 games last season. He held the team and was third in the conference with 104 tackles. He blocked three kicks and had three sacks.
Here’s the blog from Tuesday:
Some of the names are starting to come in as the Falcons are hosting their “locals day” work out today in Flowery Branch.
The event is not open to the media or the public.
Tennessee running back Rajion Neal (Sandy Creek High) is amongst the group of players working out for the team.
He rushed 215 times for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for the Vols. He also caught 27 passes for 108 yards. He played in 44 games over his career and gained 2,163 yards on 444 carries.
Here are some of the others. We’ll post more names as they come in:
Portland State running back D.J. Adams (Norcross High): He was extremely productive last season. He had 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns on 256 carries.
Tennessee-Chattanooga cornerback Kadeem Wise (Berkmar High): He's the only player in school history to be named to the All-Southern Conference team in each of his four seasons. He started all 45 games at cornerback and had 11 career interceptions.
Georgia Tech safety Jemea Thomas (Fitzgerald High): He played in 54 career games, tying for the most in Georgia Tech history. He can play safety and cornerback. He was one of the hardest hitters in the ACC and had 234 career tackles.
Vanderbilt wide receiver Jonathan Krause (South Gwinnett): He started 11 of 13 games for the Commodores. He set new single-season career highs in virtually every statistical category, including 42 catches, 714 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Middle Tennessee cornerback Kenneth Gilstrap (Miller Grove): Sun Belt Conference sprint champion in track. He father, Kenneth Sr. played at Tennessee Tech (1985-88) when Falcons head coach Mike Smith was an assistant coach there.
Georgia Tech defensive end/outside linebacker Jeremiah "Jerry" Attaochu: He suffered a torn hamstring at the Senior Bowl. He recovered and was ready to roll at Georgia Tech's Pro Day where he ran the 40-yard dash in the high 4.5, low 4.6 range. He had a vertical jump of 37.5 inches, 4.64 in the short shuttle and 7.28 in the three-cone drill.
Iowa State tight end Ernst Brun Jr. (Shiloh High): He was a All-Big 12 honorable mention pick by the Associated Press in 2012. Last season was named a team co-captain and played in eight games while slowed by injuries. Finished his career with 32 catches for 377 yards and six touchdowns.
South Carolina State safety Kimario McFadden (Mundy Mills High): He had 57 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception last season for the Bulldogs. McFadden led all Bulldogs with eight total tackles (one for loss) and an interception in the FCS playoff loss to Furman.
Furman wide receiver Ryan Culbreath (Rockdale County High): He caught 39 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns for the Paladins last season.
Furman defensive back Greg Worthy (Griffin High): The hard-hitting safety had 132 tackles last season.
Vanderbilt safety Kenny Ladler (Stephenson): Ladler was an all-SEC selection last season. He has a nose for the football. He was the only FBS player last season with five interception and five forced fumbles. He impressed the Falcons coaches with his ability in the classroom during Senior Bowl week.
Ohio running back Ryan Boykin (Etowah): Boykin appeared in 11 games and rushed 103 times for 399 yards. He led the Bobcats with eight touchdowns last season.
Valdosta State wide receiver Regginald Lewis (Forest Park): He played in nine games last season and caught 47 passes for 531 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned kick offs and punts. In 2012, he was all-Gulf South Conference after catching 58 passes for 736 yards and four touchdowns. He was converted from quarterback to wide receiver in 2011.
South Alabama outside linebacker Clifton Crews (Jonesboro High): He was a three-year starter for the Jaguars. He had 30 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and three pass breakups last season.
Here is when the Falcons will select. The NFL draft is set for May 8-10:
- Round 1 – No. 6 overall
- Round 2 – No. 37 overall
- Round 3 – No. 68 overall
- Round 4 – No. 103 overall
- Round 4 – No. 139 overall (compensatory)
- Round 5 – No. 147 overall
- Round 6 – No. 182 overall
- Round 7 – No. 220 overall
- Round 7 – No. 253 overall (compensatory)
- Round 7 – No. 255 overall (compensatory)
FALCONS' DRAFT BOARD
--BLOG: A list of the confirmed players at LOCALS DAY on Tuesday
--BLOG: FSU linebacker Telvin Smith visited the Falcons on Monday
--Falcons check out Towson State RB Terrance West, CB Jordan Love (UGA transfer)
--MyAJC ($): Eye-test vs. Tape-measure test: Falcons must trust their eyes during draft prep.
--A look at Louisville LB Preston Brown
--A look at Iowa TE C.J. Fiedorowicz
--A look at West Virginia RB Charles Sims
--A look at Auburn DE Dee Ford
--A look at Brigham Young OLB Kyle Van Noy
--A look at Arizona State OLB/DE Carl Bradford
FALCONS REWIND
--Blog: Falcons are not switching to a 3-4 defense front, they've been using it for past 2 seasons
--Blog: New jersey numbers picked; Devin Hester to wear No. 17
--Blog: Falcons awarded three compensatory picks
--Blog: Lamar Holmes was a performance-pay leader in 2014
--Blog: Umenyiora will return in 2014, no restructured deal
--Blog: Falcons release FB Bradie Ewing
--Blog: Falcons WR Roddy White owes Mercer fan some prime tickets
--Blog: Falcons owner Arthur Blank engaged to be married.
--Blog: Former Falcons WR Kevin Cone to work out for Carolina
--Blog: Falcons re-sign defensive tackle Peria Jerry
--Blog: NFL to move forward on cleaning up 'on-field' language
--MyAJC ($): Falcons spend $80 million in free agency to buy toughness
--Las Vegas doesn't like Falcons' free agency moves
--Falcons Free Agency Tracker -- Falcons have committed $107.36 million to salaries
--Q&A with PR/KR/WR Devin Hester
--Q&A with Falcons right guard Jon Asamoah
--Q&A with Falcons defensive end Tyson Jackson
--Q&A with Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai
2014 NFL DRAFT CENTRAL
--Mock Draft 1.0: Falcons trade out of sixth spot to land Pryor and Ebron
--12 teams who could draft UGA star Aaron Murray
--Louisville LB Preston Brown to work out for the Falcons
--Louisville DE Marcus Smith to work out for the Falcons
--MyAJC ($): OT Greg Robinson, DE Dee Ford shine at Auburn's Pro Day
--VIDEO: Tackle Greg Robinson on Auburn's Pro Day
--VIDEO: Running back Tra Mason on Auburn's Pro Day
--Blog & VIDEO: Clemson QB Tajh Boyd has stellar Pro Day showing
--VIDEO: Clemson WR Sammy Watkins on his Pro Day
