Given all the buzz about quarterbacks this week, a lot of folks were curious about how Derek Carr would perform Thursday at his pro day, but they were missing out on a ton of NFL prospects working out elsewhere if they focused only on Carr's workout, though.
Here's an overview of what happened at pro days across the country on Thursday.
Fresno State: All eyes on Carr
Big draw:QB Derek Carr
Don't forget:WR Davante Adams
Notable attendees:Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen, Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner, scouts from 23 teams
The skinny:The news started early in the day as it was reported that Carr was battling the stomach flu and had to spend the night in the hospital. Regarded as the fourth-best quarterback in the draft, Carr managed to battle back in order to throw in front of scouts. One of the players he threw to, receiver Davante Adams, had plenty riding on the workout, too, and impressed those in attendance. Carr did everything he was supposed to do and completed his first 43 passes, according to NFL Network's Paul Burmeister, who said Carr looked like a more polished passer than Blake Bortles did in his workout on Wednesday. NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt reported that Carr completed 66 of 72 passes and met with the Raiders before his workout.
Missouri: Sam, Ealy put under the spotlight
Big draw:DE Kony Ealy
Don't forget:DE Michael Sam
Notable attendees:Eagles coach Chip Kelly, representatives from every team but the Redskins
The skinny:While it was tough for NFL Media reporter Albert Breer to watch his beloved Ohio State hoops team fall Thursday to Dayton in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, he did enjoy an impressive pro day in Columbia and has plenty of nuggets on his Twitter feed. The most notable bit of news was that Sam injured his hamstring but still went through position drills on the field and might have improved his stock slightly. Ealy, considered by several to be a guy in position to go late in the first round, was unofficially timed at 4.57 seconds in his 40-yard dash, according to reports.
Stanford: Hamstring sidelines Skov
Big draw:G David Yankey
Don't forget:LB Trent Murphy
Notable attendees:Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver and 14 others from Oakland; 28 other NFL teams sent a scout or coach.
The skinny:Yankey could be a great fit for a team that needs help on the interior and had a good showing. Linebacker Shayne Skov put up 28 reps on the bench press but didn't test in anything else with an injured hamstring. He'll have a personal pro day on April 21. Trent Murphy and Ben Gardner both went through defensive line and linebacker drills and looked good in both.
Notre Dame: Scouts look closely at Martin
Big draw:OT Zack Martin
Don't forget:TE Troy Niklas
Notable attendees:Jaguars general manager David Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin, scouts from every NFL team
The skinny:Martin is considered most likely to be the first Notre Dame player taken in the draft, but it was former teammate Louis Nix who stole the show with his personality and his workout. The defensive tackle was a slim 331 pounds and looked solid in drills. Reports said the Steelers contingent took particular interest in Nix's workout, prompting the line of the day from Nix on Tomlin: "I heard he liked big thighs." Fellow defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt didn't take part in the pro day as he continues to rehab his foot. Niklas didn't workout either but was measured for scouts in attendance.
San Diego State: Muema fails to show
Big draw:Safety Nat Berhe
Don't forget:OT Bryce Quigley
Notable attendees:Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano
The skinny:Where in the world was Carmen Sandiego? Probably hanging out with running back Adam Muema. The situation involving Muema, who left the combine under interesting circumstances, failed to make an appearance at the Aztecs' pro day. It was thought that he might show up for it. In actual NFL draft news, Berhe is a likely third-day pick and reportedly improved on his slow 40-yard dash time (4.71) from the combine.
Kent State: Archer, Nix draw interest
Big draw:RB Dri Archer
Don't forget:DL Roosevelt Nix
Notable attendees:Scouts or coaches from eight NFL teams
The skinny:Brandt has a full report on the Gold Flashes' day, but most were curious about how Archer performed. The combine's fastest player this year (4.26 40), Archer only ran a shuttle and showed a number of clubs what he could do on special teams by catching punts. As for Nix, a stud in the MAC, teams took interest in his workout as they figure out what position he could possibly play in the NFL.
Middle Tennessee State:
Coming up on Friday: Missouri Western, Northwest Missouri State, Stony Brook Vanderbilt, West Virginia.
Follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter @BryanDFischer.
