Synjyn Days and Zach Laskey were driving forces behind Georgia Tech’s record-setting offense in 2014, taking turns driving up the middle for hard-earned yards. The two friends, who anointed themselves as "Ebony and Ivory," finished the season with a combined 1,775 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
They are in similar spots again this spring, as draft aspirants hopeful that their game video and performances in pre-draft workouts will land them on NFL rosters when draft weekend arrives April 30-May 2.
“I just want to know where I’m going to be,” Days said Thursday, following his workout with trainer Chip Smith at Competitive Edge Sports in Duluth.
Both received positive feedback from a workout held by the Falcons at their headquarters. Days said that coach Dan Quinn told him that he had helped his resume with his workout and Wednesday received a call from running backs coach Bobby Turner. He has also had phone calls from the Packers, Patriots and Panthers. In the meantime, he is putting in 3 ½-hour workouts Monday through Friday, which includes drill work with Rams running back Zac Stacy and Aaron Murray, the former Georgia quarterback now with the Chiefs.
(When he and Murray first met, both introduced each themselves. Days said he told Murray, “I think everybody in Georgia knows you. You don’t have to introduce yourself.”)
Days has trimmed down to 229 pounds, from his end-of-season weight of 240.
“I think I’m a strong, powerful running back that can catch the ball out of the backfield, make a move on a defender, and, of course, if it’s fourth and short, third and short, on the goal line, I’m definitely going to get in the end zone,” Days said.
Laskey, too, said he received an encouraging word from Quinn.
“He said, ‘Hey, I know you didn’t catch the ball a lot (at Tech), but you looked smooth out there,’” Laskey said.
Laskey was not sure about his 40-yard dash time, which he had hoped to run in under 4.5 seconds. Laskey said he wasn't told his time, only that it was similar to what he ran at Tech's pro day, when he was in the 4.5 range.
“I’m pretty sure I didn’t get the 4.4 that I wanted, but I was still happy,” he said. “I felt pretty fast.”
He is hopeful for additional private workouts and, more importantly, a chance.
“If I don’t get drafted, hopefully I’ll have a shot and I can prove myself,” he said.
Laskey is taking two classes to complete his degree and working out with Jared Bidne at Explosive Mechanics in Peachtree City.
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