Elon University Football hosted its first Pro Day in nine years Tuesday, March 19.
Six Elon seniors — offensive linemen Oli Udoh and CJ Toogood, linebackers Warren Messer and Matt Baker, running back Malcolm Summers and long snapper Nicholas Kavouklis — showcased their athletic abilities before a dozen NFL scouts. For some of these athletes, this was their last chance to be noticed by teams at the next level.
“This is a great opportunity for our guys. This is an opportunity to make dreams come true for them. It's great to see the energy and effort and a chance of a lifetime for these guys,” said head coach Tony Trisciani.
Oli Udoh
40-Yard Dash: 5.05 seconds (NFL Combine)
Vertical Jump: 28.5 inches (NFL Combine)
Three-Cone Drill: 7.53 seconds
Bench Press: 26 reps (NFL Combine)
The biggest draw for Elon's football program this year was Oli Udoh. The 6-foot-5-inch, 336-pound offensive lineman was invited to the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, and played in the Reese's Senior Bowl in January. On Tuesday, Udoh only competed in the three-cone drill, the short shuttle drill and a handful of offensive line technique drills alongside CJ Toogood.
“It was pretty awesome, being able to go to the Senior Bowl, competing with some of the most highly recruited and athletic guys in the country right now and being able to showcase my skills. Being from Elon, it was a really humbling experience going against the better players in our draft class,” Udoh said.
Warren Messer
40-Yard Dash: 4.83 seconds
Vertical Jump: 32 inches
Three-Cone Drill: 7.40 seconds
Bench Press: 14 reps
Two time All-American linebacker Warren Messer took the field for all six drills and a linebacker workout during which he showed off his ability to break to and catch opposing passes. His speed was showcased with a 40-yard dash time that ranked him second only to fellow linebacker Matt Baker.
Malcolm Summers
40-Yard Dash: N/A
Vertical Jump: N/A
Three-Cone Drill: N/A
Bench Press: 22 reps
Running back Malcolm Summers faced hardship at the 2019 Pro Day. Summers was only able to participate in the Bench Press drill after not yet being cleared from his surgery-requiring hamstring injury suffered against James Madison University in October 2018. Summers was still able to muster a Pro Day-high 22 reps of the 225-pound bench press. Though Summers was proud of his teammates' performances, he said he is ready to overcome this adversity.
“I was right there with them, yelling and screaming, but it just didn’t feel the same," Summers said. "This just puts another chip on my shoulder to get out here and show what I can do."
CJ Toogood
40-Yard Dash: 4.93 seconds
Vertical Jump: 35 inches
Three-Cone Drill: 7.30 seconds
Bench Press: 19 reps
Offensive lineman CJ Toogood showcased his talents in all drills Tuesday and turned scouts' heads in the process. Toogood was versatile, having played all positions on the offensive line for the Phoenix. During Pro Day, Toogood showcased his raw athleticism with a vertical jump and three-cone drill that outclassed his o-line counterpart Oli Udoh.
“I think a lot of scouts were impressed with me. You know, I didn't get invited to any combine games or combines or all-star games, so I think today was my day to show the scouts that I can work, and I think I really showed out today,” Toogood said.
Matt Baker
40-Yard Dash: 4.70 seconds
Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches
Three-Cone Drill: 7.15 seconds
Bench Press: 18 reps
Linebacker Matt Baker posted impressive numbers at Pro Day, running the fastest 40-yard dash, the highest vertical jump and the quickest three-cone drill. Baker, who totaled 198 career tackles with the Phoenix, showcased his keen ability to change directions in the three-cone drill and in individual linebacker drills.
Nicholas Kavouklis
40-Yard Dash: 5.37 seconds
Vertical Jump: 24 inches
Three-Cone Drill: 7.75 seconds
Bench Press: N/A
Nicholas Kavouklis started in every game since his sophomore year as the long snapper for the Phoenix. At Pro Day, Kavouklis participated in and placed last on the stats sheet for all drills except for the bench press drill, in which he did not participate. But Kavouklis was still able to showcase his unique skill of long snapping with individual scouts.