At about 1 p.m. ET on Friday, on both sides of the continent, two FCS programs (Princeton and Eastern Washington) held their NFL Pro Days — and there were some solid highlights from the day.
FCS PRO DAY – DAY 1: The Recap
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FCS PRO DAY SCHEDULE: More than 70 FCS schools are on the schedule
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At Princeton (N.J.), stud quarterback Chad Kanoff reminded NFL Scouts why Vanderbilt signed him as a 3-star prospect out of California back in 2013 — before he changed his mind and decided to go the Ivy League route. In front of 12 NFL teams and 15 scouts, Kanoff measured in at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds with other strong measurables, and posted decent numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.91 seconds), vertical (32.5 inches) and broad jump (9'3") but as anybody who knows these events understands when it comes to QBs, it is his position drill work that matters most. Kanoff didn't disappoint, throwing to former teammates James Frusciante and Nick Peabody, as well as Cal Lutheran participant Wendell O'Brien.
Kanoff is coming off a season where he set an Ivy League record for single-season completion percentage at 73.2%, and he finished his career throwing for 7,510 yards and 43 touchdowns. Also participating for the Tigers was former star DB Dorian Williams, who was in NFL camp last year and is vying for another shot. He ran a solid time 3-cone (7.07 seconds).
MCLAUGHLIN: This week's diary with Kyle Lauletta
#49ers on hand for Princeton quarterback's pro day https://t.co/Lt9FFshmej
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) March 10, 2018
At Cheney, Eastern Washington defensive end Albert Havili showed he could be a handful at the next level, impressing 15 scouts who were in attendance. An All Big Sky performer who led the Eagles in sacks and tackles for loss in 2017, Havili turned in a 4.82 time in the 40-yard dash, benched an impressive 29 reps of 225 pounds (which would have been Top 10 at the NFL Combine for all D-lineman, not just DE/edge) and had solid results in other categories. He likely earned another hard look from professional scouts.
"I think I did pretty well with the testing inside and outside," Havili said afterwards. "I felt like I met my goals – I wanted to get 31 in the bench press but I'm happy with 29. Just being back out on the red (turf) again felt nice. It was great to be out here with my class to show our stuff and play the game together again. My next goal is to make a 53-man roster – only God knows and only time will tell."
Other top EWU highlights were DB Victor Gamboa showing his quickness in the 3-cone drill (his 6.8-second time would be Top 10 range), while Gamboa also ran the fastest 40 time in 4.62, with 1,000 career yard receiver Nic Sblendorio going 4.63 in tough outdoor conditions. Standout EWU punter Jordan Dascalo, who was invited to the NFLPA all-star game in January, performed well in position drills and may have set himself up for a solid second look for scouts.
Full results from Princeton and Eastern Washington's Pro Days are below. Many thanks go out to Craig Sachson of Princeton and David Cook of Eastern Washington for sending them so quickly to HERO Sports.
SCHOOL | ATHLETE | POS | 40 | BNCH | VERT | BRD J | 3-CONE | 20YD SH |
PRINCETON | Chad Kanoff | QB | 4.91 | 32.5 | 9'3" | |||
PRINCETON | Dorian Williams | DB | 4.71 | 33 | 8'8" | 7.07 | 4.33 | |
EASTERN WASH. | Albert Havili | DE | 4.82 | 29 | 29 | 9'3" | 7.31 | 4.59 |
EASTERN WASH. | Andre Lino | DL | 5.16 | 20 | 27 1/2 | 8'10" | 7.51 | 4.49 |
EASTERN WASH. | Nic Sblendorio | WR | 4.63 | 9 | 34 | 9'4" | 7.05 | 4.16 |
EASTERN WASH. | Keonte White | WR | 4.81 | 12 | 30 1/2 | 9'4" | 7.24 | 4.52 |
EASTERN WASH. | Victor Gamboa | DB | 4.62 | 15 | 34 | 9'10" | 6.8 | 4.2 |
EASTERN WASH. | Jake Hoffman | DB | 4.64 | – | 30 | 8'11" | 7.26 | 4.38 |
EASTERN WASH. | John Kreifels | DB | 4.87 | 29 | 35 | 9'8" | 7.17 | 4.31 |
EASTERN WASH. | Jordan Laurencio | RB | 4.79 | 12 | 31 | 8'5" | 7 | 4.5 |
EASTERN WASH. | Jordan Dascalo | P/K | – | – | – | – | – | – |