Three Tech football athletes were invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Ind. to showcase their skills. Anthony Allen, Jerrard Tarrant and Mario Butler performed in several workout drills to try to improve their draft stock.
Allen appeared to have helped himself by finishing as a top-10 performer in all seven of the drills. His 41.5 inch vertical jump was the highest mark for all running backs since 2006.
Among running backs, Allen was third in the 20-yard shuffle and fifth in the three-cone drill. Allen posted times of 4.06 and 6.79 seconds, respectively. He also posted a time of 4.54 in the 40-yard dash, a quick speed for a back of his size. Allen was listed as weighing 228 pounds on the day of the exercise.
To round out the drills, Allen finished sixth in the 60-yard shuffle and broad jump and seventh in the bench press.
Allen was projected as a late round pick, but he separated himself from the majority of his competition in the workouts. A total of 39 running backs attended the combine.
Allen came into Tech as a transfer from Louisville his junior year. After sitting out a year, he came in as an A-back his junior year. Allen then switched to the more natural B-back position for his senior season. Allen finished the 2010 season with 1316 yards.
Tarrant, considered as high as the fourth best safety in the draft by cbs.com, was also a top-10 performer in all of the competitions.
Tarrant finished fourth in both the 60-yard shuffle and three-cone drill and tied for fourth in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.62 seconds. He also finished fifth in the bench press and the vertical jump and seventh in the 20-yard shuttle and broad jump.
Tarrant came in as a starter at cornerback his sophomore year before switching to safety for the 2010 season. Tarrant finished his career with five interceptions on defense and two touchdowns on punt returns.
Butler only participated in a few drills, posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds and a vertical jump of 30.5 inches.
Butler started three years at Tech, posting up three interceptions and 129 tackles. Butler is projected as a late round pick or as an undrafted free agent.
All of these athletes, along with several other former Tech players, will be participating in Tech’s pro day at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Wednesday, March 9.