Georgia Tech cornerback D.J. White improved his draft status with a solid showing at the school’s Pro Day on Friday.
“He had a nice day today,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “He worked it hard. He showed some athleticism and broke on the ball. I know their coaching staff was high on him. They are endorsing him well. He’s piqued a lot of people’s interest.”
White ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds at the NFL scouting combine. He didn’t run that event for the scouts Friday. He took part in the shuttle run and the cornerback position drills with Jamal Golden and Chris Milton.
“I think that it was just another chance to get out there, do some drills and show some athleticism,” Tech coach Paul Johnson said. “These guys have poured over their tape all year. They’d be the first to tell you that the tape is going to be more important than what they do out here.”
But White didn’t waste his opportunity to impress the NFL scouts on hand.
“Certainly you can open some eyes if you run a good time and do some things athletically,” Johnson said. “You get exposure in front of a bunch of teams. So, that’s a good thing.”
White was pleased with his performance and was particularly encouraged by feedback he received from scouts and coaches, including Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who pulled him aside to tell him he was looking good and to keep it up.
“It was pretty cool – I’ve been a Falcons fan myself since I was a kid,” said White, from McDonough.
After the workout, White went back to the team’s football offices with Colts defensive backs coach Greg Williams and watched Tech game video and explained coverages to him.
“I thought it was pretty cool,” he said. “It was a good conversation.”
Several of the scouts were on hand to see the cornerbacks.
“D.J. has a real chance,” Johnson said. “So does Chris Milton. Hopefully, Jamal will get a chance.”
Safety Demond Smith suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury after running his first 40-yard dash. Johnson and other coaches from the staff went over to console Smith, who was visibly distraught.
“I know that he worked really hard preparing for it,” Johnson said. “It’s disappointing that he would hurt himself like that.”
Milton dazzled the NFL scouts when ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds.
Milton, who’s been working with former Georgia standout and retired NFL star Champ Bailey, created a buzz among the NFL scouts on hand.
“That was a big time for him,” Dimitroff said. “It’s one of those things where people come in and they are trying to feel their way through these players. Something like that happens and he’s given a highlight on the list. We’ll go back and do some more work on him.”
Johnson was busy talking about Milton to the scouts.
“A lot of people have asked about Chris,” Johnson said. “I’m excited for him. I know that he’s worked hard to get ready. He’s going to get an opportunity.”
Tech defensive tackle Adam Gotsis, who’s recovering from knee surgery, also had a chat with Quinn.
Gotsis is four months away from recovery, but is still an intriguing prospect. He may have to open the NFL season on the physically-unable-to-perform list.
“Basically, he was just telling me how he’s coached an Australian player before,” Gotsis said about his chat with Quinn. “He coached Jesse Williams up at Seattle and knows the type of worker that he was.”
Gotsis felt comfortable chatting with Quinn.
“I think he’s a big fan of the Australian Rules game,” Gotsis said. “If they pick me up maybe I can take him Down Under for a game or something.”
Gotsis suffered a knee injury against Virginia on Oct. 29. He hurt his knee on the first play from scrimmage in the Yellow Jackets’ 27-21 loss to the Cavaliers.
Gotsis, a captain and three-year starter, was the team’s best defensive player with 31 tackles, five for loss. He’s about four months away from a full recovery.
“He was basically telling me to stay positive with the knee,” Gotsis said. “Things are going to happen for you. He thinks I’m a great player, basically (he said) look after that knee and you’re going to have a great career. Not to rush it, just enjoy it for what it is.”
Gotsis was happy to talk about Australian Rules football with Quinn.
“It’s about 200 yards long and 150 yards wide,” Gotsis said of the field. “It’s a big oval. You have guys that run 16 miles in a game. That’s where I think I get my motor from.
“I grew up playing that sport. I feel like I can run all day.”
Gotsis doesn’t have a preference of where he’d like to land in the NFL.
“The whole thing is that I just want an opportunity with a team,” Gotsis said. “I feel if I get that, I’ll be successful.”
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