College Football Capsules: Okung finishes what he started at NFL combine

The quarterback and receiver who led Cincinnati to back-to-back Big East titles were the main feature at the university's pro day on Wednesday. Twenty-six teams were represented, with 49ers coach Mike Singletary in the crowd.

The highlight was Pike throwing various routes to Gilyard, reprising the combination that was one of the Big East's best. They're still learning NFL pass routes, which can be much different from the ones they used in college. Both talked to scouts afterward to get their appraisals.

"Just from talking to guys right now, they're extremely happy with what they saw today," Pike said. "It's an ongoing process to get those (NFL) routes down and get on the same page, but I think it went well today."

Both had specific improvements in mind compared to how they did at the NFL scouting combine last month, where Pike's passes sometimes wobbled and some of Gilyard's 40-yard dash times topped 4.5 seconds.

Wearing black shorts and a white shirt on a mild day, Pike made all types of throws from midfield, occasionally missing players filling in as receivers. He showed he was still in sync with Gilyard, repeatedly hitting him in stride.

Pike is making some adjustments to satisfy NFL teams, who wanted to see better spirals after his combine workout.

"I was happy with the combine workout," Pike said. "I felt my accuracy was fine. The spirals is what a lot of teams want to see. Obviously guys in the NFL don't throw them (always), but right now it's important. And I was happy with how I came out and threw today compared to the combine. The accuracy was there, and overall I had a good day."

One of the biggest questions about Pike involves his non-throwing arm. He broke his left forearm as a junior and had a plate inserted. He broke it again last season and had to have a larger plate inserted, then returned and played with a protective cast.

A foot-long scar runs along the underside of the forearm, a reminder of his last surgery. The arm has healed — he doesn't wear anything protective on it — but NFL teams focused on it at the combine.

"Obviously you go through the combine and you've got 32 teams basically trying to pull the plate out," Pike joked. "And I made it through and was fine with it, and all the X-rays and everything else they put you through came back fine. So there's no problems. It's not holding me back in any of my training."

Gilyard's biggest shortcoming at the combine was his time in the 40-yard dash. He worked on getting a better start and relaxing, and got better results running on the artificial turf at Nippert Stadium, where he was timed at 4.47 seconds.

"I know one thing I did today: I surprised somebody because my times were night and day from the combine," Gilyard said. "I know I surprised somebody out there, so I think I moved up on somebody's draft board."

Gilyard was one of the nation's top receivers and kick returners during his senior season. He greatly improved his NFL draft standing with his performance at the Senior Bowl, where he had 103 yards receiving and a 32-yard touchdown catch.

Gilyard is hoping to go in the first or second round. Several Bengals coaches attended the workout, though the team hasn't given him any indication that it's particularly interested. The Bengals could use a slot receiver and kick returner, and Gilyard would love to stay in town.

"Ain't no team going to show their hand," he said. "It's like a poker game. I didn't understand it at first, but I understand it now. If a team likes somebody, they're not going to show their hand."

Gilyard had mixed feelings about performing at Nippert Stadium again. About 100 students sat in the stands, watching the workout between classes.

"Here, you've got everybody that's seen you make so many plays, and they expect you to make every play," Gilyard said. "It's like you're relaxed because you're back in your home stadium, you're around your fans and so forth. But by the same token, everybody's been watching me make so many spectacular plays out here and Pike make so many spectacular throws that they just expect everything to be spectacular. So that adds a little more pressure as well."

-- Joe Kay

Campbell takes a pass on Maryland Pro Day

Campbell had nothing left to prove after running the 40-yard dash in an impressive 4.85 seconds and bench-pressing 225 pounds 34 times last month in Indianapolis at the NFL combine. The 6-foot-7, 310-pounder is projected to be a first-round pick in the draft.

So, on a day in which he had long thought he would have to prove himself as a potential NFL star, Campbell did interviews and shouted encouragement to friends Wednesday during Maryland Pro Day.

"It feels real good to have done everything at the combine so I don't have to do anything here," he said. "It feels different, because three years ago I expected to be out here doing this event."

Campbell opted to forgo his senior year at Maryland to enter the NFL draft. Scouts Inc. ranks Campbell the 30th best player coming out of college.

"He's just a great guy and an unbelievable athlete," Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin said. "He's still raw as a football player, and I think his best football is ahead of him. That's why a lot of people are excited about him."

Unlike Campbell, Maryland quarterback Chris Turner isn't even assured of having his name called during the draft. So he eagerly jumped, ran, lifted weights and threw the football to give the scouts something to remember him by.

For Turner and the other participants, the goal was to add measurable skill numbers to the talent they showed on film while playing for the Terrapins.

"It's crazy that they can do all these things for five years, but a lot of it's going to come down to just how high they jump and how fast they run," Franklin said.

Unfortunately, it's hard to look good on film for a team that went 2-10 in 2009.

"I feel like I had a lot to prove coming off last season. I feel like I played well, but the record is not always a good indicator for the scouts," Turner said. "So for me, it was just important to participate and do my best."

Turner could appreciate the irony in knowing that, for once, the quarterback was vying to get noticed while one of his offensive linemen (Campbell) was attracting most of the attention.

"It's funny how the tables turn, but it's fine," Turner said. "I have a high hill to climb, but I'm confident in myself. It's just important to show them what I can do. I know the things I can't do — I'm not going to run a 4.5 40 — but I can throw the football, and I hope to show them that today."

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Turner ran the 40 in 5.16 seconds, then in 5.10. He pressed 225 pounds 11 times. Those numbers aren't as important as the fact that he was a three-year starter, threw 30 touchdown passes, had four 300-yard games and was 5-2 against teams in the Top 25.

"He's got the body type they're looking for, he's a smart guy," Franklin said. "I've coached in that league. It wouldn't surprise me if he made a team. Where he gets drafted, I don't know all that. But his arm is strong enough and he's more athletic than you think. So I think he's got a chance."

Said Turner: "I think with good performances, good interviews, with good tryouts with different teams I can get drafted. It's just a matter of doing it."

Turner had a high-topped bush of hair playing for the Terps, but now he's sporting a tight-cropped style.

"I'm a professional now and I have to look professional," he said. "It's fun to have long hair and all that. I feel like a sellout, I'll admit that. But it's time to look sharp."

Other players at the workout included defensive back Nolan Carroll, who missed most of his senior season with a broken leg; offensive lineman Phil Costa, who pressed 225 pounds 30 times; 6-4, 325-pound defensive lineman Travis Ivey; and defensive lineman Jared Harrell, who strained a left hamstring during his second try at the 40-yard dash and despondently limped away from the tryout.

-- David Ginsburg

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