UCLA Pro Day Recap

The UCLA Bruins held their Proday today. They made some news earlier today when it was revelaed that they had banned Parents from the Proday:

When UCLA closed its lightly-anticipated Pro Day, it wasn’t just to fans and the media. The Bruins didn’t even allow parents into Tuesday’s workout, according to the L.A. Times.

“They’re saying we can’t watch for this reason or that reason,” Harold Edison, father of Bruins defensive tackle Justin Edison, told the paper. “This is a big day for my son and they are not going to let me watch?”

Edison was told by employees of the UCLA football program that he couldn’t even be in the parking structure, and that campus police would be called if parents refused to leave “and it escalates.”

UCLA closed the Pro Day under the auspice of limiting “distractions.”

Mark Dye, father of safety Tony Dye, was told the closed workout was so the Pro Day would be like “a job interview.”

“I think this is all unnecessary,” Mark Dye told the Times. “If they have a legitimate reason for keeping parents out, I haven’t heard it yet.”

But after that little issue there was a Pro Day to be had. There are three draftable prospects on the Bruins, TE Cory Harkey, WR Nelson Rosario, and Safety Tony Dye. They are all late day three type prospects, and it’s possible that none of them are drafted, especially if Dye doesn’t prove he’s over the injuries that derailed his play this year.

It’s a strange tactic from a program that might not have a single player drafted next month and doesn’t need negative media attention as new coach Jim Mora attempts to rebuild the program. Tight end Corey Harkey is the best prospect, rated 12th in a weak position group and 235th overall by NFLDraftScout.com. Harkey also had one of the worst all-around workouts at the Scouting Combine last month.

The story of the day was receiver Nelson Rosario who was graded as a late-round pick entering the year. Rosario measured 6 feet, 5 1/2 inches, 230 pounds then ran 40 times of 4.55 into a stiff headwind. His other marks included a vertical jump of 36.5 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 1 inch. All were outstanding results for Rosario, who caught the ball well during drills. Scouts were impressed the way the big pass-catcher was able to quickly get into pass routes and stay on balance exiting breaks. There’s a feeling Rosario could add weight to his frame and eventually develop into a field-stretching tight end.

Safety Tony Dye, graded as a mid-round choice coming into the season only to struggle with several injuries, also turned in a solid performance. Dye was credited with an official 40 time of 4.56 seconds, posted 4.15 seconds in the short shuttle and 7.02 in the three cone. He also touched 36.5 inches in the vertical jump. These numbers were competitive with many of the safeties at the combine. He later looked smooth and quick in position drills.

The issue with Tony Dye is his medical clearance. He was as high as a second round prospect prior to this season, but really had a poor year. Hopefully this is a step in the right directions and will get him drafted, he could be good value.

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