ASU welcomed a large turnout of professional football scouts at Monday's Pro Day (ASU athletics photo) RELATED IMAGES All Images 2008 Pro Day - Scouts clock 40-yard dash times (ASU athletics photo) 2008 Pro Day - Dexter Jackson (ASU athletics photo) 2008 Pro Day - Corey Lynch (ASU athletics photo) 2008 Pro Day - Kevin Richardson (ASU athletics photo) 2008 Pro Day - Larry Blackwood (ASU athletics photo)

ASU Holds Pro Day
by Appalachian Sports Information

March 25, 2008 - BOONE, N.C. -- Ten former Appalachian State University football players worked out in front of a large turnout of professional scouts during ASU’s annual Pro Day. The drills were held in Owens Field House, Kidd Brewer Stadium and the Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility on Monday.

The former Mountaineers that participated in the event included offensive linemen Kerry Brown and Larry Blackwood, wide receivers Dexter Jackson and Hans Batichon, defensive backs Corey Lynch, Jerome Touchstone and Justin Woazeah, running back Kevin Richardson, quarterback Trey Elder and place kicker Julian Rauch. They were joined by a handful of prospects from other area schools, including Gardner-Webb and Chowan.

Approximately 15-20 NFL teams were represented at the event by scouts and coaches. Jackson, Lynch and Brown are considered by many to be possible selections in the upcoming NFL Draft, to be held on April 26-27 in New York. It could be a record-breaking year for ASU at the NFL Draft, as Appalachian has never had more than two players selected in one year and Jackson could make a run at being the highest Mountaineer ever chosen. Two Mountaineers were drafted in both 1990 (Derrick Graham and Keith Collins) and 1992 (Gary Dandridge and Mike Frier) and ASU great and seven-year NFL standout Dino Hackett currently holds the distinction of being the highest ASU selection, having been taken by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 1986 Draft (35th overall).

No matter what the results of the draft, Appalachian should be well-represented in NFL training camps, as a large number of those not drafted are expected to sign free-agent contracts shortly following the conclusion of the event. Even if the NFL is not in the cards, professional options also exist in the Canadian Football League and various arena leagues throughout the U.S.

"I'm proud of how our players performed in a high-pressure situation on Monday," ASU strength and conditioning coach Jeff Dillman said. "The scouts were impressed with a number of our players and Appalachian should be well-represented on both draft day and in professional camps this summer."

Below are ASU's players' Pro Day results. The results provided to Appalachian are not official.

Player (10-yard dash, 20-yard dash, 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle/pro agility, 60-yard shuttle, vertical jump (in.), broad jump (ft.-in.), three-cone drill, 225-pound bench press repetitions)

Hans Batichon (1.63, 2.65, 4.71, 4.41, 11.60, 28, 8-10, 7.12, - )
Larry Blackwood (1.82, 3.16, 5.40, 4.79, - , 26, 8-5, 8.17, 18)
Kerry Brown (1.81, 3.02, 5.18, 4.79, - , 29.5, 8-7, 8.07, 32)
Trey Elder (1.59, 2.80, 4.74, 4.08, 11.55, 29.5, 9-3, 6.923, - )
Dexter Jackson ( - , - , - , 4.15, - , 30.5, - , 6.96, 11)
Corey Lynch (1.62, 2.66, 4.55, 3.98, 11.30, 34.5, 9-3, 6.74, 13)
Julian Rauch ( - , - , - , - , - , 24, 8-0, - , - )
Kevin Richardson (1.54, 2.62, 4.53, 4.49, 11.57, 32.5, 10-0, 7.27, 16)
Jerome Touchstone (1.55, 2.60, 4.50, 4.08, 11.38, 32.5, 9-4, 6.89, 12)
Justin Woazeah (1.52, 2.64, 4.54, 4.3, 11.34, 36.5, 10-11, 6.93, 22)