LSU pro day

With just one underclassman leaving early for the NFL draft, a considerably smaller number of LSU players took part in its Pro Day on Monday afternoon.

There were eight scholarship participants – offensive linemen Vadal Alexander and Jerald Hawkins, defensive lineman Quentin Thomas, linebackers Deion Jones and Lamar Louis, defensive back Jalen Mills, long snapper Reid Ferguson and punter Jamie Keehn.

The star of the day was Jones, who certainly boosted his ever-climbing draft stock by running the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. Jones had run the 40 in 4.59 seconds at the NFL combine last month. Mills also shaved more than a second off his 40 time – from 4.61 seconds to 4.48 seconds.

Here is a breakdown of the LSU players at Pro Day,

OL VADAL ALEXANDER

Pro Day: 6-6, 325

Combine: 6-5, 325; 5.57 seconds in the 40; 25 bench press reps; 4.90 seconds in 20-yard shuttle; 8.04 seconds in three-cone drill; 95 inches in broad jump

Alexander’s comments: I thought I did well. The offensive line coaches from the (New England) Patriots and the (Detroit) Lions said that I was good. Today was what I expected. The scouts want to see you do different things in both the run and the pass. They run you through the gauntlet. I did better in my conditioning from the combine. I also had better hand placement. I did well at the combine, but I wanted to do some things better. A lot of guys like my versatility. I have played guard and tackle. I played well at both spots. I can play all four spots (on the offensive line). (Measureables) tell you certain things about guys, but it comes down to playing football. I am two times better now than I was last year.”

LS REID FERGUSON

Pro Day: 6-1, 235; 5.05 seconds in the 40; 15 bench press reps; 4.59 seconds in 20-yard shuttle; 7.47 seconds in three-cone drill; 104 inches in broad jump; 27.5 inches in vertical jump

OL JERALD HAWKINS

Pro Day: 6-6, 305

Combine: 6-6, 305; 5.23 seconds in the 40; 16 bench press reps; 4.89 seconds in 20-yard shuttle; 8.19 seconds in three-cone drill; 100 inches in broad jump

Hawkins’ comments: “I felt smooth, I felt at home and I felt comfortable. I knew what to expect having been to the combine, but they mixed in a few new things. In Indianapolis (at the combine), all you hear are lights and cameras clicking. It was quiet here. I just have to keep working on my technique. I have to work on my upper and lower body strength.”

LB DEION JONES

Pro Day: 6-1, 220; 4.38 seconds in the 40; 16 bench press reps; 4.32 seconds in 20-yard shuttle; 11.55 seconds in 60-yard shuttle; 7.16 seconds in three-cone drill; 35.5 inches in vertical jump

Combine: 6-1, 220; 4.59 seconds in the 40; 120 inches in broad jump; 33 inches in vertical jump

Jones’ comments: “I was surprised at my 40 time. I was shooting for 4.4. I didn’t get it at the combine. It was personal to get that time. I heard all my home boys on the sidelines. I didn’t expect (4.38). I lost focus on a few things at the combine. I closed my eyes at the start and I swerved a little bit. I almost hit a sensor. I knew I was faster than (what I ran at the combine). I guess I was psyched out by the atmosphere at the combine. I had to stay locked in today. My eyes were open today and I ran in a straight line. I’m just enjoying all the training. I try to find the positives in training. I had to wait my time here. You cannot pout on the sidelines. You have to be patient.”

P JAMIE KEEHN

Pro Day: 6-3, 220

LB LAMAR LOUIS

Pro Day: 5-10, 225; 4.53 seconds in the 40; 26 bench press reps; 4.53 seconds in 20-yard shuttle; 12.3 seconds in 60-yard shuttle; 7.23 seconds in three-cone drill; 114 inches in broad jump; 33.5 inches in vertical jump

Louis’ comments: “I am just embracing everything. Being a low round pick or a free agent, I am open to anything. The (Seattle) Seahawks almost worked me at running back today. They wanted to see my ball skills. My bench press was good. I knew that was something I had to do as a smaller guy. Guys like me, who do not go to the combine, have one shot to be perfect. I had to pay attention to my preparation.”

DB JALEN MILLS

Pro Day: 6-0, 195; 4.48 seconds in the 40

Combine: 6-0, 190; 4.61 seconds in the 40; 16 bench press reps; 4.00 seconds in 20-yard shuttle; 11.53 seconds in the 60-yard shuttle; 6.86 seconds in three-cone drill; 123 inches in broad jump; 37 inches in vertical jump

Mills’ comments: “I wanted to show the NFL scouts here that I can be one of the best defensive backs in the draft. I improved my 40 time. I got some great notes from the coaches from my interviews. You have to be a people person, not a mellow guy. I got on the (black)board with the coaches. I want to play cornerback. We were hurting at safety, so I played there because I knew the defense. But, my play at cornerback in the Senior Bowl was dominant. It showed that I can play cornerback again. I was my best physically at the Senior Bowl. I was the only defensive back out there today. I wanted to take advantage of that situation. The (New Orleans) Saints coaches were impressed that I showed ball skills even when I was tired.”

DL QUENTIN THOMAS

Pro Day: 6-3, 315; 4.97 seconds in the 40; 18 bench press reps; 5.07 seconds in 20-yard shuttle; 8.17 seconds in three-cone drill; 100 inches in broad jump; 28.5 seconds in vertical