Mac Jones, Patrick Surtain II Big Winners During Alabama's First Pro Day
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A number of former Alabama football players had a good day, but no one topped quarterback Mac Jones and cornerback Patrick Surtain II during the Crimson Tide's first Pro Day for the upcoming NFL draft.
Alabama is actually hosting two Pro Days in 2021 with the other set for March 30, with the SEC Network and NFL Network carrying live coverage from 11-2 p.m. CT.
The list of draft-eligible Crimson Tide players participating in some portion of Pro Day includes Christian Barmore, Deonte Brown, Landon Dickerson, Thomas Fletcher, Miller Forristall, Najee Harris, Jones, Alex Leatherwood, Josh McMillon, Dylan Moses, DeVonta Smith, Surtain II, Carl Tucker and Jaylen Waddle.
Among the NFL teams, all 32 were in attendance. The list was highlighted by head coaches Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh), Mike Vrabel (Tennessee) and Arthur Smith (Atlanta). NFL front offices were also well represented with nine general managers in attendance, including Trent Baalke (Jacksonville), Brandon Beane (Buffalo), Kevin Colbert (Pittsburgh), Terry Fontenot (Atlanta), Brian Gutekunst (Green Bay), Martin Mayhew (Washington), Jon Robinson (Tennessee), Rick Spielman (Minnesota) and Duke Torbin (Cincinnati).
Jones and Surtain took full advantage.
Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy noted on the SEC Network that Jones did a lot more than his 50 played reps, and went through his throws at a high tempo for more than 30 minutes.
"The last time I saw a tempo workout was actually Dak Prescott and that didn't go so well," McElroy said. "He got worn out."
"I wanted to make the toughest throws," Jones said, who also wanted to answer any negative talk about his athleticism.
"I just wanted to show that I can compete, and I really don't think it was as good as I probably want it to be."
The preparation may be what stood out the most. The NFL Network mentioned more than once that he asked some teammates to run routes so he could throw after the team banquet.
Jones told McElroy that he's been looking at film for about four hours a day while preparing for the draft.
However, Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network called Surtain the biggest winner of the day.
“It was really good,” Jeremiah said. “When you look at the testing stuff and start there, it’s outstanding numbers. You kind of put him up, side by side, with Jalen Ramsey — just from a testing standpoint — it’s eerily similar. I think they were a pound different. Very similar across the board in what they did there."
Jeremiah had Surtain rated the second-best cornerback, but he might have to rethink that, especially following reports that Caleb Farley will need back surgery.
“He’s in the mix to be the first corner off the board, and I thought today was a really solid workout for him. The numbers were great, and I thought the field workout, he moved around and was really fluid for a big guy, which is not easy to do.”
Christian Barmore: Measured 6-4, 310 pounds. Hand size 10 inches, arm 34 5/8, and wingspan 81 3/8.
Deonte Brown: Weighed 344 pounds, which is big for him. Said on Monday he had dropped 20 pounds, and he proved it Tuesday. Vertical 27.
Landon Dickerson: Snapped the ball to Jones for his passing drills which you wouldn't think would be a big deal but it's an extra level of comfort to the quarterback, who isn't throwing to Smith or Waddle.
Jeremiah calls him the best interior lineman of the draft, the only questions are the durability.
Najee Harris: Was on-hand, but not doing any drills. Per NFL Network, he drove in from Dallas overnight after his flight was cancelled.
Mac Jones: The plan was about a third of his throws were scripted. Vertical jump 32 inches. Ran unofficial times of 4.82 and 4.79 in the 40.
"I think they're going to fall in love with a guy who is who is a hard worker, good leader, a guy who is very committed to being the best player that he can be," Saban said. "He's smart. He knows the offense inside and out. He makes quick decisions, he has great judgement and he's very accurate with the ball.
"I think the combination of those things is going to make a fine player at the next level."
Saban added: "I don't question Mac's athleticism," and also called him "sneaky fast."
Jones is expected to throw at Alabama's second pro day as well.
Alex Leatherwood: Vertical 34 1/2. Broad jump 9-10.
"He tested really well," Jeremiah said, and added that it helped him "a lot."
He projects him as a right tackle, and likely second-round pick.
Joshua McMillion: Ran routes as a tight end along with Miller Forristall and Carl Tucker, for Jones.
DeVonta Smith: Did not participate in any drills. An NFL analyst compared him to Isaac Bruce.
Saban on the SEC Network about Smith and Waddle: "I think those guys are special."
Patrick Surtain II: Did 18 bench-press reps. That's pretty impressive with 32 1/2-arm length. Had 39 inches on the vertical leap. Measured 6-2, 208 pounds, hand 10 inches, wingspan 78 1/2. Vertical 39. Official 40 ran 4.46 unofficially. Broad jump 10-11.
"I feel like I did a good job," Surtain said.
Jaylen Waddle: Like Harris was on-hand to support teammates and talk to teams. Waddle on the NFL Network about his fractured ankle at Tennessee. "I really didn't know at first. I think it was like a little stinger. Walked off, thought everything was fine."
