By Shehan Jeyarajah
Sports Editor
Baylor football gave nearly a dozen former players an opportunity to perform in front of NFL scouts at its 2015 Pro Day at the Allison Indoor Practice Facility on Wednesday.
Quarterback Bryce Petty was the main attraction for the dozens of scouts assembled. The senior did not go through physical drills, but went through passing drills in front of crowds of team personnel and reporters.
Petty performed an intensive workout, dropping back 77 times to a variety of drop-back cadences and passing distances. All of his throws were from under center.
“I wanted to prove I can make all the throws,” Petty said. “All the questions surrounding me are ‘Can he play in the gun? Can he make all the throws? Is he a one-read kind of guy?’ I just want to say that I can play in any kind of system and run it successfully.”
The Midlothian native completed 69 of his 77 passes, with five of the passes dropped by receivers.
“This is probably the best-executed Pro Day I’ve been a part of, and we’ve been in some rodeos,” Whitfield said. “Just in terms of pure execution, this was surgical. It was exciting to watch and he put a lot into it.”
After his performance, Petty scheduled a private meeting with Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback coach Wade Wilson. He was one of several quarterback coaches in attendance to watch Petty throw.
“Now that today is over, the fun part begins: seeing which teams are interested and want me as their guy. It’s all about being here and being happy. I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
Wide receiver Antwan Goodley also went through several drills, but participated in the physical tests on a more limited basis. He performed throughout Petty’s segment, running routes and catching balls all over the field.
“I wanted to show that I can be a consistent pass catcher and catch everything with my hands,” Goodley said. “I felt that it was great. I came out and competed like I knew I could.”
Wide receiver Levi Norwood, an NFL Combine snub, also participated in receiver drills with Petty and ran a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash. Former walk-on Collin Brence recorded a 37-inch vertical jump and former running back Glasco Martin posted 19 reps in the bench press.
Other players who took part in the event included Tyler Edwards and former Baylor players Jeff LePak, Glasco Martin, KJ Morton and Tyler Stephenson.
The 2015 NFL Draft will take place the weekend of April 30 at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. It will be televised on ESPN and NFL Network.
