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USF's Marlon Mack, Rodney Adams limit their drills at pro day

 
South Florida Bulls running back Marlon Mack (5) runs a drill during the USF Pro Day at Morsani Football Practice Complex at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.
South Florida Bulls running back Marlon Mack (5) runs a drill during the USF Pro Day at Morsani Football Practice Complex at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.
Published March 22, 2017

TAMPA — For the first half of USF's annual pro day, the two most prominent figures remained on the sideline. While nearly two-dozen of their old teammates lunged, leaped and lifted, Rodney Adams and Marlon Mack balked.

Few could blame them.

Less than three weeks after posting solid performance numbers at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Adams and Mack opted not to gamble on tarnishing them Tuesday, participating only in position drills before a plethora of scouts at the Morsani Complex.

At least 20 NFL clubs were represented, with Bucs coach Dirk Koetter among the observers.

"I talked to my agents, they said I had some good times (at the combine), good feedback," Mack said. "So we just decided to just go off the combine numbers and come out here and just do position drills."

USF's all-time leading rusher, Mack has watched his stock catapult since announcing in early January he would forego his senior season. Aiding that ascension was a solid combine effort, where Mack ran the 40 in 4.5 seconds, bench-pressed 225 pounds 15 times and recorded a 351/2-inch vertical leap.

His overall 5.54 combine rating falls under the heading of "chance to become an NFL starter," according to NFL.com. The scale goes to 7.99 ("future All-Pro").

In the wake of that performance, WalterFootball.com has Mack going to the Giants in the second round (55th overall pick), while Luke Easterling of The Draft Wire pegs him to go to the Colts in the third round (80th overall).

"I can't really pay attention to it because man, you never know where you'll get drafted in the NFL," said Mack, who indicated he has a private workout with the Titans scheduled in a few days. "So I try to focus on me and wait 'til draft day when my name is called."

Similarly, Adams, almost certain to be claimed as a free agent if not drafted, likely couldn't have enhanced the 4.44-second 40 time he clocked in Indianapolis. But he did run a series of routes and catch passes Tuesday from former Bulls quarterback Steven Bench.

Adams has a top-30 visit ahead with the Vikings, and is expected to work out privately for the Bucs within the next month.

"It went great (Tuesday)," the Lakewood High alumnus said. "Displayed every trait that I had, all the traits that NFL scouts wanted to see, so I think I did really well."

A few other former Bulls likely enhanced their free-agent and/or Canadian Football League opportunities Tuesday.

Safety Nate Godwin, a Freedom High alumnus now weighing 210 pounds, had a 37-inch vertical leap and did 19 reps of 225. Four-year starting outside linebacker Nigel Harris — up to 220 pounds — ran the 40 in 4.53, recorded a 36-inch vertical leap and did 15 reps on the bench.

Receiver Austin Aikens, a Plant alumnus, had a 401/2-inch vertical. Defensive lineman Daniel Awoleke did 31 reps on the bench and had a 29-inch vertical.

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"The preparation was done, so coming out here, I just had fun with it," said Godwin, who will participate at the Bucs' local-players workout April 14. "I knew I was prepared, so I just wanted to be smooth and have fun."

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.