Coming into Wednesday's pro day for the South Carolina football team, scouts and fans alike were eagerly anticipating watching wide receiver Pharoh Cooper run through some tests, particularly the 40-yard dash, as the star wideout skipped all running events at the NFL Combine due to a leg injury. Cooper didn't blow anyone away with his speed, but he blended in with an uncharacteristically slow receiver class, running a time of 4.61. Cooper wasn't too concerned about his time, however, as he believes his on-field work should be the main topic of discussion.
"I’m not a big test guy. I’m not going to run a 4.3 40," Cooper said. "I'd just rather go out there and play football."
Graduating Gamecocks who were not invited to February's Combine also had an opportunity to make their cases to scouts, including offensive lineman Mike Matulis and defensive lineman Gerald Dixon Jr. Both were focused on their performances and avoided worrying about the added pressure of the stage or the presence of NFL scouts.
"I just have to do what I can do out here, and the rest will be in the hands of others," Matulis said.
"When you play at Williams-Brice, you are in front of 80,000 people," Dixon said. "This is just a couple of scouts and I treated it like game day."
Tight end Jerell Adams and running back Brandon Wilds skipped the 40 after turning in strong times at the Combine, giving scouts no reason to doubt their previous performances. Both also caught the ball well, which could help Wilds to solidify hearing his name called at the NFL Draft.
"I think I proved I’m an every-down back," Wilds said. "A lot of teams have backs that can just catch the ball or run the ball. I can do a variety of things."
Some players may continue to have private workouts for NFL teams, but the departing Gamecocks are all hoping they have done enough to be selected at the NFL Draft, which will take place April 28-30.