Ulrick John hopes to use Georgia State’s Pro Day on Friday as a springboard to bigger things.
John, an offensive tackle, is one of 15 Panthers who will work out for NFL scouts at the team’s practice facility.
“I plan on making a name for myself this week,” he said.
John has prepared for 2 1/2 months, working out in Sarasota, Fla., where he focused on improving his footwork and strength. A labrum injury in his shoulder sustained in 2012, and another minor injury sustained in the same shoulder during the 2013 season, prevented him from lifting weights during parts of those years. But he said is healthy and recently bench-pressed 25 reps of 225 pounds, a weightlifting standard NFL scouts use to gauge strength.
“I know during the season from talking to scouts they want to see him get stronger,” Georgia State coach Trent Miles said.
John has the size. He said he measured at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds at an NFL regional combine in Tampa, Fla., on March 1. Miles said he also moves well for a big man.
John seemed to perform well in Tampa as he tries to improve his chances of being drafted. He said his vertical leap was measured at 32 inches, which would have tied the second-highest jump from the more-prestigious NFL Scouting Combine held in Indianapolis last month. His broad jump was measured at 110 inches, which would have placed among the top 10 in Indianapolis. He also ran the 20-yard shuttle in 4.6 seconds, which would have placed among Indy’s top 15.
He said his time in the 40-yard dash was the slowest he’s ever run (he declined to say his time) and attributed it to the exercise being the last of a day of drills. Tampa didn’t use the 225-pound bench or the three-cone drill events.
He said he will participate in every event at Friday’s Pro Day, which isn’t open to the public.
In addition to his size, John’s versatility could appeal to NFL teams. He played center (one start), guard (one start) and tackle (25 starts) at Georgia State, where he was honorable-mention All-Sun Belt in 2013. He said he also participated in long-snapping drills in Tampa.
There is at least one team interested in him. He said he is supposed to interview with Seattle this weekend and then will fly to Seattle on April 16.
“As long as he comes in and runs well, I see him getting an opportunity in someone’s camp,” Miles said.
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