Wentz Impresses as 10 Bison Participate in NDSU Pro Day
3/24/2016 6:25:00 PM | Football
FARGO, N.D. - Ten former North Dakota State football players participated in the annual NDSU Pro Day on Thursday, March 24, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome with a national television audience tuned in to see projected first round quarterback Carson Wentz.
Luke Albers, Andrew Bonnet, Jordan Champion, Christian Dudzik, Joe Haeg, Jeremy Kelly, Ben LeCompte, CJ Smith, Zach Vraa and Wentz went through drills from 9 a.m. to noon.
Representatives from 18 NFL teams were on hand, which was fewer than expected due to weather and travel delays in other parts of the country. One head coach on hand was Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns, who have the No. 2 overall pick.
More than 40 local and national reporters attended in addition to television crews from ESPN and NFL Network, which provided live coverage throughout Pro Day. NFL Films was also in attendance.
Wentz took the field just after 10:30 a.m. and threw to four different receivers including Albers, Vraa, Ryan Smith and Titus Mack. He completed 63 of 65 passes before going into an extra throwing session with wet footballs led by the Browns staff.
Many of the NDSU participants had their first chance at physical testing in front of the NFL scouts. Top performances included Dudzik running 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Bonnet getting 22 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds, and Champion running 6.97 seconds in the three-cone drill.
Smith posted top marks in three different drills. He touched 39 inches in the vertical jump before going 10 feet, 11 inches in the broad jump and running a 4.31 in the short shuttle.
One of the best pro days I've ever witnessed. Wentz reminds me of Joe Flacco. He had 2 55-yard passes that were as pretty as I've seen.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) March 24, 2016
"I would say A, if not an A+… Nearly flawless." -@MoveTheSticks grades @NDSUathletics QB @CJ_Wentz's Pro Day https://t.co/NNwSaI78tn
— NFL (@NFL) March 24, 2016
No wonder CJ Smith is second all time in NDSU history for passes defended. #NDSUProDay pic.twitter.com/XlOOXxPXSY
— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) March 24, 2016
"That was an outstanding throw. That was an NFL throw..." -@MikeMayock on @NDSUathletics QB @CJ_Wentz https://t.co/nhNLKYKhss
— NFL (@NFL) March 24, 2016
Coach Klieman visits w/Mike Mayock @nflnetwork about Carson Wentz, Joe Haeg & CJ Smith. #NDSUProDay pic.twitter.com/Sszs6UiiuM
— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) March 24, 2016
Ben LeCompte is scraping the Fargodome rafters with his punts on #NDSUProDay. pic.twitter.com/ToyxpbWoAb
— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) March 24, 2016
What a great day at Gate City Bank Field! So excited for our senior prospects that put on a great show at ProDay!#BisonCulture
— Chris Klieman (@CoachKli) March 24, 2016
Senior Bowl ? Combine ? Pro day ? ??
— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) March 24, 2016
Successful pro day with the guys!
— Joe Haeg (@JoeHaeg59) March 24, 2016
Watching my brother @cj_wentz rip his pro day. We just want respect. #NDSUProDay
— John Crockett (@KingJCrock_23) March 24, 2016
Shoutout to @cj_wentz for having a hell of a pro day! He was slinging that thing...I'll run routes for you anytime ???#BisonProDay
— Ryan Smith (@ryguy_4) March 24, 2016
