While most NFL scouts will be on hand to see wide receiver A.J. Green and linebacker/defensive end Justin Houston on Tuesday, linebacker Akeem Dent hopes to turns some heads as well when Georgia holds it's Pro Day workouts.
Green and Houston are projected first-round picks for the NFL draft, which is set for April 28-30. Green will likely go in the top 10 picks.
Houston's status is more complicated because there are nine defensive ends with first-round draft grades. Some teams also project him as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
He is scheduled to have a private workout with the Atlanta Falcons, who pick 27th overall, on Thursday.
But for Dent, who attended the NFL scouting combine,Pro Day will be his chance to shine.
While he completed the bench press (lifting 225-pounds 24 times) at the combine, he did not participate in his position drills.
A Douglass High product, Dent also projects at two positions. He played inside and outside linebacker over his college career and has experience in the 4-3 and 3-4 defenses.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said the inside linebacker group is pretty weak for this draft, but noted that Dent is moving up on draft boards and could be selected in the third or fourth round. Dent met with several teams at the scouting combine.
"It's a business now, so you've got to be prepared for whatever questions they may have," Dent said by phone on Monday.
He measured 6 feet 1 and weighed 242 pounds at the combine. Because the Bulldogs switched to a 3-4 defense last season, Dent is more prepared for than most linebackers in the draft.
"Either one, I think I'm a fit," Dent said. "I have experience in both defenses. I think it gives me a shot as being seen as a versatile player."
At Georgia, he played inside linebacker in the 3-4. He played both inside and outside in the 4-3. When he lined up outside, he played the strongside position.
Asked about his pass coverage skills, Dent said, "I feel like I'm able to do whatever the coaches what me to do."
Last season, Dent started all 13 games and led the team in tackles with 126. He was named to the All-SEC second team by the Associated Press.
"I had some ups and downs, but overall I feel like I had a pretty good career and I met a lot of good people along the way," Dent said.
Dent was highly recruited coming out of high school. But he is finding that the NFL draft process is out of his control.
"When you are coming out of high school, you get to pick a college," Dent said. "Now, it's kind of like vice versa. You just hope that you can show the NFL scouts what you can do. They pick you. You don't get to pick them. So whatever team feels like I can come in and play well, produce on special teams and things like that, that will be my team."
Dent does have other private workouts scheduled.
In addition to Green, Houston and Dent, other players scheduled to participate Tuesday are Clint Boling, Shaun Chapas, Vance Cuff, Chris Davis, Josh Davis, Demarcus Dobbs, Kris Durham, Darryl Gamble, Chad Gloer, Derek Rich and Kiante Tripp.
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