Rembert among college players to shine at Air Force Pro Day

The ongoing NFL lockout didn’t deter a group of a dozen NFL hopefuls that included former Air Force football players Andre Morris, Reggie Rembert and Rick Ricketts from participating in the annual Pro Day at the Air Force Academy on Monday afternoon.

Scouts from the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans helped conduct the 2-hour, 30-minute session along with Air Force strength and conditioning coach Matt McGettigan. Players from Northern Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State and CSU-Pueblo went through a battery of speed, agility and strength drills at Air Force’s weight room and practice field.

Athletes, who included defensive backs, linebackers, defensive linemen and wide receivers, were tested in a number of categories. From vertical and broad jumps, shuttle runs and the 40-yard dash to the bench press and position drills, players had a chance to show scouts their abilities as their family and friends looked on.

Players also filled out NFL draft day information sheets and were measured for hand size, arm length, height and weight. The workout gave scouts a look at players’ potential and athletic prowess.

“I heard there was some interest (in me) out there, and I figured I would regret it the rest of my life if I didn’t at least do Pro Day,” said Ricketts, who clocked a 4.76 in the 40 and a 10-foot broad jump. “Coach McGettigan did a good job getting us ready for the drills. I wish I did a little better, but we’ll see.”

Rembert showed some of the skills that led to him twice being selected as a first-team all-Mountain West Conference defensive back. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound cornerback ran a hand-timed 4.39-second 40-yard dash, hit 41 inches on the vertical jump and locked out 15 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

“I think I did all right,” Rembert said. “I didn’t hit some of the numbers I would have liked, but I didn’t have too bad of a Pro Day. I figure I needed to do over and beyond since everyone looks at my size and says that I can’t play at the next level. I feel like I’ve proven it time and time again, and the numbers are really what they look at.”

Morris, who had 59 tackles from his linebacker position as a senior, had a 40-inch vertical leap and hit 15 reps on the bench press. He enjoyed the chance to showcase his athleticism.

“It was good to come out here and compete again,” Morris said. “I think I did well, and I’ve put a lot of work into it. You just want to get a look and get another chance (to play). You only get one shot at these things, so you want to make the most of it and don’t want any card left unturned.”

Mines nose tackle Blaine Sumner wowed the weight room crowd by bench-pressing 225 pounds a whopping 52 times. The 6-foot-2, 330-pound Sumner’s total eclipsed the NFL combine record of 49 set by former Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea, according to NFL.com.