Ole Miss Pro Day: N.W.O. Show, Ta’amu On a Mission

All 32 NFL teams were represented at a star-studded Ole Miss pro day on Friday in Oxford

by Joe Simeone

The buildup to the NFL Combine is nerve-wracking for players, and some may not perform their best.  It is a prospect’s first time in front of NFL scouts, running specific drills and undergoing rigorous interviews that all can determine their draft stock. Quite simply, there is a lot on the line.

Before the (NFL) Combine, I was nervous. But after I was just chillin’.

A.J. Brown
Pro day, however, is a totally different feel. This time players are surrounded by their teammates of long years, in their own facility, and generally much more comfortable. Ole Miss pro day was no different. From the moment I arrived players were laughing and having a good time, and serious when they needed to be. It was clear that these guys were enjoying what will likely be their last time practicing on a field together.

For many prospects, pro day does represent the last chance to prove to scouts what they can do on the field. It is an opportunity to improve on Combine times and drills, and a second chance to meet with NFL teams. I focused in on the Nasty Wideouts (N.W.O ) trio of D.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown & DaMarkus Lodge, the most exciting prospects to come out of Ole Miss this year.

N.W.O. Take Away: Lodge Looking Up

D.K. Metcalf may have catapulted himself to viral phenomenon with his Combine performance, but it was A.J. Brown and DaMarkus Lodge that stood out today. Lodge did not run any of the drills, which was a sentiment felt across the board with the Rebel receivers. They don’t believe that the 40-yard dash, 3-cone or 20-yard shuttle define who they are. Instead, they want the game tape and their route running ability do the talking for them. In fact, after slipping on his first run of the 3-cone drill, scouts basically had to beg Brown to run it again.

A.J. Brown slips during his first run of the 3-Cone and calls it a wrap.

Other than that, it was smooth sailing for the big three. Lodge went out and demonstrated his toe-tap swag, crisp route running and more importantly, his sure hands. On one route, even after stumbling Lodge was able to gather himself, locate the ball and make a tough grab. It was a good day for Lodge overall, who has me looking through his game tape again. Metcalf has faced plenty of criticism that his route tree only consists of a curl route and go route. Friday he showed the ability to run routes at the NFL level, and may have quieted some of the naysayers. Brown answered some questions, finally running a 3- cone drill after scouts pleas. Like the other two receivers, the route -running portion was most important for him. He wanted to prove to scouts that he is not just a slot receiver, and showed he can run a full route tree.

Some simple route running from A.J. Brown

There is not a huge takeaway in skill level from these pro days, but it can give you a better idea of how a player will act in a locker room setting when you see them comfortable in their own environment. The one thing that stands out most about the N.W.O. group is the camaraderie between the three. They believe in each other, push each other to succeed, and want to see each other on the field in the next level. When you have scouts from 32 teams watching you it can cause some nerves, but you could tell that these three were in their element.

Jordan Ta’amu On a Mission

Friday was not only important for N.W.O. but also for the guy throwing them the ball. Jordan Ta’amu has been quietly rising through the ranks of prospects as he slowly gains some more national recognition. This is a story that has stuck with him since his days in high school back in Hawaii. Ta’amu is your prototypical underdog story, hungry to succeed at the next level. He was a low three-star recruit that didn’t draw much attention from major programs. Even after winning multiple player of the year awards in JUCO, he was only offered by two D-1 programs — one was Ole Miss. Fast forward and Ta’amu is now looking to be a fourth or fifth round selection in the NFL draft.

“I wouldn’t say frustrated, I would just say I know I’m better than people say I am.”

Jordan Ta'amu

Brown called Ta’amu “perfect” on Friday, which was exactly his aim. Ta’amu has the attitude of a competitor. He wants to carry the chip on his shoulder and prove to everyone that he can stick around and play with the best of them. If you are looking for a sleeper pick that might make an impact on an NFL team, the Ta’amu might be your guy. He considers himself extremely coachable and cannot wait to make an impact at the next level.

Ta’amu was placing balls perfectly all day.

Pro day is similar to the NFL Combine in this respect: it does not give you the full story about a player but it can confirm or create questions about certain players you have graded. Seeing the team together for one last time is a special moment for the players, and something they will likely hold on to and cherish in the next month leading up to the NFL draft.

 

 

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