By Shauyan Saki
Grady Sports Bureau
ATHENS — For Ray Drew, Georgia's Pro Day was an opportunity to show off his new frame for all 32 NFL teams.
“I was excited to show off the new me,” Drew said. “I’ve lost 15 pounds, I am now at 265 so today was a great opportunity to show off how I’ve improved my quickness.”
Drew’s weight loss was evident in his drills. He was able to show his explosiveness off the snap with a 32-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 9’4’’.
Drew arrived to Athens in 2011 as one of the crown signings of the “Dream Team.”
He finished his career at UGA with 113 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He led the nation last year in blocked kicks with three.
“I feel lighter, towards the end of my career here at Georgia I noticed that I was sluggish,” Drew said. “But now if a team wants me to put on weight I can put it on better and live a healthier lifestyle.”
Drew said he has spoke with the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots staff also worked him out when Bill Belichick visited Athens two weeks ago.
Drew said the experience of meeting Belichick was surreal.
“It isn’t every day when you meet the man,” Drew said.
Drew also was confident in his ability to play multiple positions in an NFL defense, he played defensive end for most of his career but said he can do plenty of other tasks.
“I can play inside at the zero technique, obviously at the five technique and everyone knows I can play with my hand off the dirt at linebacker as well,” Drew said. “At the end of the day I want to help my team win games and be as productive as possible.”
Although Drew said he enjoys the opportunity that the NFL can offer him and his family, he looks at his final act as a Bulldog as bitter sweet.
“I’m going to miss everyone on the defensive line Mike (Thornton) and Toby (Johnson) and I were close and I wish them the best,” Drew said. “But, I am excited to go and compete in the highest level and show my parents that the sacrifices they made for me helped me accomplish my dreams.”
Thornton said that Drew’s work ethic would contribute to his success in the NFL.
“Anyone who drafts Ray will get a player who is willing to work and do anything he can to help his team win.” Thornton said, “He was a competitor and didn’t care how hard he had to work.”
The Grady Sports Bureau is part of the sports media program at the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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