Harris heads north: Oklahoma safety Nic Harris told Scout.com
that he had a workout with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday, April 7. As
Scout.com previously reported, one of the other teams that has put the
talented safety through a personal workout is the St. Louis Rams.
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, he had formal interviews with
the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders,
Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers and the Rams.
The First-Team All-Big 12 defensive back worked out at linebacker during Senior
Bowl week since he's 6-foot-2, weighs 233 pounds and has good versatility and
field intelligence. Harris closed out his career with the Sooners with seven
interceptions, 232 tackles, 21 passes defended, six forced fumbles and one
fumble recovery.
More interest in Pat White: A source has told Scout.com that QB Pat
White is scheduled to work out for the Eagles on Wednesday, April 8 in West Virginia and is scheduled to visit the Patriots on April 13-14. It will be the
second time that the Patriots have shown significant interest in the versatile
athlete. As Scout.com reported last month, White held a private workout for New
England on March 17.
What's unclear at this point is whether or not the Patriots and the Eagles
see him as a player who could provide an immediate boost as a return specialist
while developing skills as a wide receiver—or as a quarterback.
During his senior year, White completed 65.7 percent of his throws for 1,842
yards and 21 touchdowns. He ran for 947 yards and scored eight rushing
touchdowns.
Remember these names: I've been hearing that a pair of defensive backs
who weren't invited to the NFL Combine have been gaining a lot of traction and
attention over the past five weeks.
Ohio University safety Michael Mitchell knocks the ball carrier to the turf.
Photo: Scott Gardner |
One of them is Ohio University safety Michael Mitchell, who opened the eyes of representatives from roughly ten NFL clubs at
his school's Pro Day in March by posting a pair of sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash
times. The 6-foot-1, 221-pound defender pushed 21 reps during his bench press
workout and posted a vertical jump of 37.5 inches.
The Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers
and the Bengals, Browns, Colts, Lions, and Rams were among the teams in
attendance. Mitchell told Scout.com that the Browns, Colts, Texans and
Lions all spent some time talking with him that day.
The Bobcats cornerback held personal workouts for the Chicago Bears and the
Bengals in March, and completed a visit with the Colts last Friday. He has the
Browns on his schedule for a visit on April 15 and the Raiders scheduled for
April 16.
The other prospect to keep an eye on is Tennessee cornerback DeAngelo Willingham,
who has been busy with workouts and visits ever since his school's Pro Day on
March 11. A source has told Scout.com that he has worked for the Detroit Lions
and that Eagles secondary coach Sean McDermott worked him out on March 18.
The 5-foot-11, 217-pound cornerback has already visited the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers and has a jam-packed schedule the week of April 13. Willingham will
be racking up frequent flier miles that week with visits with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals and the Browns.
Colts could upgrade talent at DT: Boston College DT Ron Brace has been
scheduled for an official visit with the Colts on April 16-17, according to a
source. The 6-foot-3, 329-pound run-stuffer would be a real asset to a Colts
defense that has struggled to consistently clog up the middle and to shut down
inside rushing lanes over the past few seasons. While Raheem Brock has become a
mainstay inside for Indianapolis, he weighs-in at roughly 274 pounds and no
other defensive tackle on the roster was able to firmly lay claim to the other
starter's slot last season. So new head coach Jim Caldwell is likely to add some
beef to the middle during this year's NFL Draft.
Brace had an official visit with the Buccaneers last week and just returned
from a visit with the Saints on April 7.
Quick Hits: According to a source, TCU linebacker Jason Phillips
had an official visit with the Buffalo Bills ... Al Afalava, a four-year starter
at safety for Oregon State was invited to visit the Bears, Colts, Seahawks
and Bengals this month ... Notre Dame LB Maurice Crum had a visit with the Bears
on March 30 and has a workout lined up with the Buccaneers for April 15 ... A
source told Scout.com recently that San Jose State defensive lineman
Jarron Gilbert worked out for Tim Krumrie, the Kansas City Chiefs' defensive
line coach on April 1. He's already completed visits with the Lions, Chargers
and Saints, and is scheduled to visit the Patriots on April 14, the Steelers on
the 16th, and the Cowboys on the 17th. Gilbert has also received interest from
the 49ers for a workout or visit ... Another San Jose State athlete, CB
Christopher Owens, was scheduled to visit the Falcons on April 5.
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A member of the Pro Football Writers of America, Ed Thompson's player interviews and NFL features are published across the Scout.com network and at FOXSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook. Or contact him by email
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