Rebels show off for NFL scouts at Ole Miss Pro Day

Tuesday morning, 12 Rebels worked out for NFL scouts in the Indoor Practice Facility, as a part of the 2018 Ole Miss Pro Day.

OXFORD, Miss. – It was before 10 A.M. when the workouts began; however, the energy was high this morning in Ole Miss’ Indoor Practice Facility when 12 different Rebels–including Jordan Wilkins, Marquis Haynes, Breeland Speaks, Rod Taylor, and A.J. Moore, among others–worked out for NFL scouts on the players’ home turf.

There were 39 representatives from 31 of the 32 NFL teams in attendance to see the former players in action.

Click here for the complete results from today’s workouts for the full list of participants that includes:

Daronte Bouldin  (OL)
DeMarquis Gates (LB)
C.J. Hampton (S)
Marquis Haynes (DE/LB)
A.J. Moore (DB)
Herbert Moore (DT)
Ty Quick (TE)
Breeland Speaks (DL)
Rod Taylor (OL)
Jordan Wilkins (RB)
Gary Wunderlich (K)
Issac Gross (DL)

Wilkins, Haynes, Taylor, and Speaks worked out for scouts at the annual NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier in the month.

Daronte Bouldin gets the day started with a bang in the weight room

The morning began with the bench press, where OL Daronte Bouldin showed off his strength, as he put up a record 35 reps of 225 lbs, beating Laremy Tunsil’s record of 34. Bouldin appeared in eight games this season, before suffering a season-ending injury at Kentucky. The 6’5″ 318 lb offensive lineman from Canton, MS turned heads with his incredible strength, right off the bat.

?Count ‘em all!? 35 reps on the bench for @DaronteB_76.

Yeah, he can lift more than you! #EasyWeight #ProDay18 pic.twitter.com/LV1SVZb7FS

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) March 27, 2018

A healthy Jordan Wilkins showcases his speed, agility

Next up was the 40-yard dash, where many Rebels were looking to make a statement. After not being able to run it at the NFL Combine due a hamstring injury, running back Jordan Wilkins said, “I just wanted to come out, compete and have fun with it.”

The 6’0,” 214 lb. RB did just that. Wilkins’ unofficial time from today was a 4.51.

Running back Jordan Wilkins on his performance at Ole Miss Pro Day

Compared to times from the NFL Combine, Wilkins’ 4.51 is 5th best among all running backs in this year’s draft.

Wilkins dazzled with a 37-inch vertical jump, as well as with some very impressive footwork during ball drills. He said he is hearing that teams expect him to be drafted between the 3rd and 5th round in next month’s draft.

Marquis Haynes bests his Combine time in the 40

Marquis Haynes, who checked in today at 6’2″ 234 lbs., split his time at the NFL Combine between defensive end and linebacker.

“Some teams still don’t know what they want to do with me,” he said. “I see myself as a stand up LB”.

At Ole Miss’ Pro Day, Haynes showed the athleticism that drove college quarterbacks crazy and left NFL scouts drooling.

His 4.67 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine didn’t please Haynes, so he opted to run again today.

“When I got here and felt at home and comfortable, I ran the fastest time I’ve run,” Haynes said. He clocked a 4.56 this morning–a time that would’ve been 6th best at the NFL Combine.

Unofficial 40 time for @Quishaynes38: 4.56 #ProDay18 pic.twitter.com/flCRwk0zC7

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) March 27, 2018

Haynes told the media that teams see him as “a rocket” that can be a very disruptive pass rusher. The numbers back that up, as he is Ole Miss’ all time leader in sacks with 32, and tackles for loss with 47.5.

Ole Miss DL Marquis Haynes

With his performance on Tuesday, it’s hard to imagine that Haynes’ draft stock wasn’t improved.

Breeland Speaks shows off his skills

Breeland Speaks had a solid day this morning, showing scouts his strength and explosiveness on various defensive lineman drills.

Breeland showing his explosiveness. Lawd! #HottyToddy #NFLRebels @Bspeaks9 pic.twitter.com/QxfUIFp4KU

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) March 27, 2018

“I’ve never really been a testing type guy with the 40 and all that type stuff,” Speaks said. “As far as the amount of effort and work I put into it, I felt I got good results back,” he added.

Speaks has been working hard at the Exos training facility in Arizona for the past several months in preparation for the Combine, Pro Day, and the NFL Draft.

In an interview with Speaks following today’s testing, he said it is “50-50” as to whether he is being viewed more as an interior lineman or as a defensive end–both positions at which he excels. He did add, however, the name of one particular team who is considering him as an end.

Ole Miss DL Breeland Speaks 

 Moore, Wunderlich, among other Rebels with notable performances

A.J. Moore, a four-year contributor to the Ole Miss defense, showed off his athleticism today with a 4.39 40-yard dash. The 5’11” 202 lb. DB finished his career with 132 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 2 FF, and 5 passes deflected.

Gary Wunderlich, the Rebels’ all time leader in points scored, field goals made, PAT’s made, and most accurate kicker, impressed today.

The Memphis native showed off his booming leg with kicks from all over the field. He displayed both his accuracy and strength, with his longest kick coming from 55 yards.

Wunderlich is one of the top kicker’s in this year’s class and should land on an NFL roster.

Following their dreams

Overall, today was a very good day for the 12 Rebels who are pursuing the NFL. With the draft just a month away, these players are getting in their last workouts in hopes of hearing their name called in AT&T Stadium by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Former defensive tackle Issac Gross was also in attendance Tuesday. Gross, whose eligibility was up in 2016, showed scouts he has the skills to play in the NFL.

Regardless of position, one thing all the players in attendance at Pro Day have in common is they all had exceptional careers in the Red and Blue, so we now wish them the best of luck as they follow their dreams to the next level!

Hotty Toddy!