RALEIGH -- The audition for NFL scouts at N.C. State on Wednesday attracted an array of hopefuls.
The last-call long shots outnumbered the legitimate draft prospects, but there was a little bit of everything for the approximately 30 scouts to measure, evaluate and test at the Murphy Center. There were former five-star recruits, former walk-ons and a former basketball player who hadn't played football since middle school.
Mostly, there were a lot of numbers being thrown, not entirely unlike a livestock auction. There were the usual metrics (the 40-yard dash, the bench press, vertical jump) and the not-so usual (hand size?).
Toney Baker, N.C. State's leading rusher in 2009, hoped Wednesday's tests would ease any doubts about a knee injury that cost him two seasons and also show his increased bulk.
Baker weighed in at 235, about 10 pounds more than his playing weight in 2009 when he ran for 773 yards and six touchdowns. Still, the bulked-up athlete unofficially ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds.
"I played a full season, and I feel like I ran great today," said Baker, who missed the 2007 and 2008 seasons. "I feel like most of the questions are answered."
Baker was one of two five-star recruits from the class of 2005 at the timing day on Wednesday. Callahan Bright, a defensive tackle from Shaw, originally signed with Florida State but after legal and academic problems ended up with the Division II Bears in Raleigh.
Neither one-time blue-chipper, whose classmates included NFLers DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles) and Mark Sanchez (New York Jets), qualified as the newcomer of the day.
Simon Harris was a reserve on the Wolfpack basketball team from 2006 to 2009 and hasn't played football since the eighth grade. At 6-3 and 260 pounds, he's trying to catch a scout's eye at tight end. He already went through a private workout for the San Diego Chargers.
"You never know," Harris said. "If you're afforded an opportunity, you might as well attempt it. The worst they can say is no. I'm just really optimistic about it."
Defensive end Willie Young and center Ted Larsen, N.C. State's best draft prospects (both considered middle-round picks), have already been through the NFL Combine, which was last month in Indianapolis.
Young didn't bench-press on Wednesday and Larsen didn't run the 40 because both already had posted numbers at the combine.
Young's 38-inch vertical at the combine ranked the best at his position. His weight, 250 pounds, and strength have been the biggest question marks, even after a productive senior season that included 54 tackles and eight sacks.
"You know, a lot of people over the years have said a lot of things about Willie Young," Young said. "I beat everything. I'm just that kind of competitor. I'm always up for the challenge."
With Wednesday's pro day out of the way, there's one less challenge to clear before the April 22 draft.
