Georgia Bulldogs defensive standouts Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter hope to impress teams at the NFL scouting combine.
Carter is set to go through most of the drills and workouts, but Bellamy will be restricted to interviewing with teams because of an injury.
Both hope to show they can play in space and rush the passer.
“Actually I have a hamstring injury,” Bellamy told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I won’t be participating in the drills. But I will be doing everything at my Pro Day.”
Bellamy believes the scouts and coaches from the 32 teams in the NFL have enough information on his him.
“The film is there,” Bellamy said. “All the top tackles that are coming out, I’ve played against them this year. I feel like held my own and I played on the biggest stage.
“I think for the scouts right now, I just want to show them that I can move. The defense that we played at Georgia didn’t allow me to show my range of things that I can do. I’m just looking forward to that.”
Carter, who played at Norcross High, hopes to dazzle scouts by running 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He will do his bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds at Georgia’s Pro Day.
Carter, who’s 6-foot-6 and 243 pounds, played 48 games for the Bulldogs and had 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for losses. Bellamy, who’s 6-5 and 245 pounds, played in 32 games and had 13 sacks and 24 tackles for losses.
“I want to show them my speed, my athleticism and everything that I’ve been working on,” Carter said. “It’s been a grind. I’m just looking to letting loose and showing them what I can do.”
Some teams view Carter as a 3-4 outside linebacker and other teams believe he can play defensive end in a 4-3 defensive alignment.
“Thankfully, I went to a school where our defense prepared me for everything,” Carter said. “I can play a 3-4 at outside linebacker and 4-3 defensive end. I just want to get after the passer. Be a pass rusher, get back to my roots and go get some sacks.”
Carter was upset for Bellamy.
“(Training) was going good,” Carter said. “We were just pushing each other down there in Pensacola training. We had great trainers and staff working with us.
“I know he’s sad that he won’t get a chance to go out there to show what he could do under the lights. But he’ll be ready for Pro Day.”
Carter has had interviews with the Saints, Packers, Patriots, Lions and Vikings.
“The most challenging part of this process has just been the grind,” Carter said. “ Waking up early, going to interviews.”
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock contends that it’s down year for pass rushers in the draft.
“I like Carter,” Mayock said. “He’s got almost the same size as Leonard Floyd. His production wasn’t the same. He needs to get stronger as does Bellamy, Davin Bellamy, the other edge guy.
“I think Bellamy has more upside than what people give him credit for. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a fourth-round pick. I think Carter and Bellamy are both what today’s 3-4 outside linebacker looks like.”
Carter has a player that he tries to emulate.
“I try to pattern my game after Demarcus Ware,” Carter said. “He is a great guy to look up to. He was a great pass rusher. He transitioned to outside linebacker. He’s a guy I wouldn’t mind being compared to.”
Carter is aware that he will have to convince some teams that he can rush the passer at an elite NFL level.
“I think my pass rush will do it,” Carter said. “People may see it, but other people may not. I didn’t get the chance to show it as much as I would have liked to, but being able to go get after (quarterbacks) is what I want to show.”
While preparing for the combine, Bellamy has launched a clothing line “Humble Yourself” with t-shirts and hoodies. His business savy should impress scouts.
“They are doing pretty good,” Bellamy said. “They are going pretty good right now. I plan to keep them up there for a good little bit. The support has been amazing. Mostly from Georgia fans and I have some friends who have large followings on social media.
“So, I sent them a package on the house. Just for them to wear it and post it on social media.
Friends that live in (California), New York and all over. It’s really been going good for me.”