Worthington improves 40-time, McMillan shows off wheels, and other Pro Day tidbits

Heading into the NFL scouting combine, Buffs defensive back Evan Worthington had a distinct goal in mind.

“4.39 seconds [in the 40-yard dash], that’s the ultimate goal for me.”

Unfortunately things didn’t go nearly as well as planned for the fifth year senior. He ran a pedestrian 4.63 in the 40-yard dash, not even coming close to the 4.4 mark. At Colorado’s Pro Day, Worthington was able to shave nearly half a tenth of a second off his previous time running a 4.59. While it may not sound like much of improvement, in today’s NFL that can be the difference between an reception and a incompletion - especially for a defensive back.

Although he may’ve been able to improve his 33.5 inch vertical jump, and 17 bench press reps, he opted to sit on his numbers for the other drills. He also decided not to run the forty a second time after he felt his hamstring tighten up following his first run.

Regarding his positional fit in the NFL, scouts have brought up his flexibility during interviews noting that he can play multiple positions.

“I’ve heard some corner, some people said linebacker, and safety, but we’ll see when we get there.”

Currently, Worthington is projected to go anywhere from the fourth round on, and is a polarizing, yet intriguing, prospect. He missed all of the team’s magical 2016 season due to suspension, and suffered multiple concussions during his freshman and senior years. When healthy, he’s showed exceptional versatility earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2017 while recording team highs in solo tackles (66) and interceptions (three).

McMillian Shines

After a impressive senior season in Boulder in which he elapsed the 1,000 yard mark on the ground and scored eight total touchdowns, running back Travon McMillian expected an invite to the combine. But just like Philip Lindsay from last year, he was not one of the 335 players invited.

However, he didn’t let that distract him, instead putting a chip on his shoulder as he went through the various drills. He ran an impressive 4.49 on his first attempt of the forty yard dash and 4.47 on his second. The former Virginia Tech Hokie also recorded a 32-inch vertical jump to go along with 22 reps on the bench press portion.

As evidenced by many others at the position - and the most recent tailback to come out of Colorado, you don’t need to be a flashy, high-round draft pick to find success as a running back.

“I don’t get invited to the combine so I used all of this as motivation and drive just like Phil [Lindsay] did, just to prove myself,” McMillian said. “They were expecting me to run a 4.6, and I ran a around a 4.4 so hopefully I changed some minds.”

“He was in my same shoes and everybody doubted him, and look where he is now - going to the Pro Bowl and everything so that’s the career I’m trying to have and talking with him motivates me so I’m just going to keep trying to grind and getting better each and everyday.”

Weighing in at 5’11 and 203 lbs., McMillian serves to be a between-the-tackles, bell cow type of back at the next level which is ideal for wearing down opposing defenses. He ranked third in the country in yards after contact and also showed off some explosiveness with two touchdown runs of 75 yards, and two others of 64 and 49 yards, respectively.

As a graduate transfer, McMillian has the option of returning to Blacksburg to participate in Virginia Tech’s pro day and get a second opportunity to work out. He doesn’t plan to do so as of right now, but will continue to ponder all options.

Other

Wide receiver Kabion Ento, who saw a drop in playing time following the emergence of Laviska Shenault and KD Nixon, woo’d the crowd in attendance when he leapt 41.5 inches high on the vertical jump. Additionally, he participated in workouts with the defensive backs...measuring in at 6’1, 323 lbs., larger-than-life nose tackle Javier Edwards showed off his strength recording 31 reps on the bench press, he talked with several NFL scouts after the Pro Day...nephew of NFL draft analyst Louis Riddick, Drew Lewis ran a 4.50 & 4.52 on the 40-yard dash. He’s talked to teams about playing all the linebacker positions, as well as safety - where he played in high school.