Former Georgia Tech B-back Zach Laskey was among the biggest winners Friday at its pro day. Most of his scores compared well with those put up at the combine by running backs. For example, his 3-cone drill time (6.94 seconds) would have been in the top seven among running backs, according to the ESPN tabulations of the event. He also caught all of the passes thrown to him, about 15, on a variety of routes, mostly out of the backfield.
“Zach’s had a great day,” coach Paul Johnson said. “He’s put up some good numbers.”
Laskey looked a little bigger, and he said he’d added about 10 pounds since the end of the season, to get to 225 pounds. Laskey said he gained considerable leg strength since the Orange Bowl.
“(The scouts) all said, ‘Hey, you did what you needed to do. You had a really good day,’” Laskey said. “I posted a lot of numbers I was hoping to post.”
Laskey played three seasons at B-back (following one season at safety), rushing for 2,033 yards and 17 touchdowns on 388 carries. He said he could see himself as a third-down back.
“I have pretty good hands out of the backfield,” he said. “I’m a bigger guy, so I can pick up some of those blitzes, help trip the rushers and get out in the flats.”
Laskey has worked out at a facility in Peachtree City near home while still going to class. He’ll finish up his degree in May.
“Ever since I’ve started playing, people have told me I can’t do things,” Laskey said. “That kind of feeds my game. I play with a chip on my shoulder. It’s gotten me this far. I’m hoping it can take me one more step.”
Times and scores for Tech's participants at Friday's pro day, Synjyn Days, Isaiah Johnson, Laskey, Shaquille Mason, Quayshawn Nealy, Orwin Smith.
(Drills, in order: 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, 3-cone "L" drill, short shuttle, long shuttle, 225-pound bench press.)
(More updates about other players coming later.)
(Correction: Shaquille Mason's 40-yard dash time was originally transposed and written as 4.89, when it was 4.98. Obviously a significant difference, and a bad mistake on my part.)
