Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Football Players Make Name At 2024 Pro Day
3/28/2024 8:10:00 PM | Football
Herd’s 2023 seniors take stage in front of 22 NFL teams on Thursday
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – On Friday, Marshall's 2023 football seniors got to take part in one last session together at Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex.
This time, though, it was to push each other as they closed the Marshall chapter of their career and looked to audition for 23 different professional scouts representing 22 different NFL teams.
"It's really good to see these guys get to chase their dreams at the highest level," Marshall head coach Charles Huff said. "We haven't seen some of these guys since after the bowl game because they go off and train to get ready for this day. To see them come back and their families are here at the end of their college football chapter and the opening to the next phase of their life is really good."
For those players with NFL aspirations on Thursday, it was all about the opportunity to showcase their abilities in hopes that they fill a need or a skill set that an NFL program has, so they get to pursue that dream of a professional career.
"You only need one," former Marshall defensive end Owen Porter said. "Whether you get drafted or not, it only takes one team to make it. James Harrison went from an undrafted free agent to a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. It only takes one opportunity."
Porter made the most of his opportunities on Thursday in a series of tests that turned heads and had scouts talking – both amongst themselves, to Marshall's coaches and to Porter himself after the session.
After weighing in at 250 pounds, Porter proceeded to get 30 reps on the Pro bench (225 pounds) while running a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash. The effort on the bench press set the tone early for a day in which several Marshall guys put up some impressive numbers.
The 40-yard dash is one of the most notable events of the Pro Day festivities and Micah Abraham did not disappoint those wondering if he had the speed to keep up with NFL-caliber receivers. Abraham ran a pair of 40-yard dashes at 4.4 to lead all Marshall players.
"I knew I just had to show my full potential and show what I really could do to shock the scouts here," Abraham said. "I came here and wanted to prove I could run and that what's on film isn't a mistake. I wanted to do really good in my position drills and catch all the balls that were coming at me, and I did that."
Another pair of players who turned heads on the day included linebacker Kesean Brown and offensive lineman Dalton Tucker, who has picked up considerable buzz since his Hula Bowl showing.
Brown was one of the top performers in the vertical (35 inches), broad jump (10 feet, 2 inches), three-cone (7.08 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.27 seconds), showing his agility and athleticism.
Tucker also caught the eye of several scouts with his measurables and athleticism. On a frame that was measured at 6-6 and 307 pounds with a 7-foot wing span, Tucker wowed those in attendance with a 34-inch vertical that came just minutes after he ripped off 22 repetitions on the Pro bench. His three-cone time of 7.64 seconds also was on par with offensive linemen at the NFL Combine earlier this month.
Two of Marshall's players – offensive linemen Ethan Driskell and running back Rasheen Ali – had been at the NFL Combine previously, so they had relationships with many of those in attendance already. Neither performed in the drills, but were there to support their teammates while conducting one-on-one interviews with scouts who wanted to assess them further for draft consideration.
Ali said that while the day was for those seniors to make a name, it was just as much about continuing to serve as a mentor to those young Marshall players who came over to watch the combine activities to prepare for their chance to one day perform for scouts.
"I'm glad to come back here and be able to tell the young guys how the process is and give them some dos and don'ts to help them prepare for the next level," Ali said.
Perhaps the day's best moments came when former Herd defensive lineman Anthony Watts took the field for drills. Last year during the 2023 Pro Day, Watts tore his Achilles in the three-cone drill and was unable to chase his dream while rehabbing from the injury.
Watts returned for the 2024 Pro Day to perform for scouts once again while also sending a message about not giving up on your dream and not letting adversity defeat you – a message he hoped that all in attendance took from his presence and performance.
"I just wanted to show people that no matter how many times you fall, you keep going," Watts said. "That's what this really was for and to keep chasing my dreams. For a year, I've been working, watching football and keeping my head up. It wasn't easy, but it was all God. I'm just thankful to be here."
With Pro Day now over, players will schedule visits and individual workouts with NFL teams who call and continue working out in preparation to hear their phone ring when the NFL Draft takes place April 25-27.
Here is a list of the top performances in each drill by Marshall players on Thursday:
Pro (225) Bench Press
30 – Owen Porter
26 – Kylen McCracken
23 – Sam Burton
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40-Yard Dash
4.43 – Micah Abraham
4.69 – Caleb McMillan
4.79 – Owen Porter
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Broad Jump
10-3 – Talik Keaton & Caleb McMillan
10-2 – Kesean Brown
9-9 – Owen Porter
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Three-Cone Drill
7.06 – Jahsen Wint
7.08 – Kesean Brown
7.12 – Micah Abraham
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20-Yard Shuttle
4.25 – Jahsen Wint
4.27 – Kesean Brown
4.39 – Eli Neal
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