 "Photo: File Photo")
There's nothing better than a second chance.
So former Texas Tech football players fresh off the NFL Combine hope for better results in drills at Tech's Pro Day at 1 p.m. today at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Graham Harrell, Louis Vasquez, Darcel McBath, Brandon Williams and Michael Crabtree were the five former Red Raiders invited to the NFL Combine, which was from Feb. 18 to 24.
McBath, Williams and Vasquez are among those who will be working out for scouts at Pro Day.
Vasquez said the NFL Combine had its outlandish moments, but that did not stop him from making his mark.
Vasquez benched 225 pounds 39 times, which was the most for any lineman - defensive or offensive.
"The whole experience is a little hectic and crazy, but overall I felt pretty good about my results," he said.
The closest person to Vasquez's reps in the bench press was Michigan's Terrance Taylor with 37.
What Vasquez did not get a chance to do at the Combine were the running drills such as the 40-yard dash. So Pro Day will be the opportunity to make it up to the scouts who will be in attendance.
Vasquez said he will be aiming for the best time possible for offensive linemen, which usually is 4.9 seconds.
But he also said from his experience at the Combine that scouts look at more than just results.
"There's a lot of things the scouts are looking at," Vasquez said. "How mentally strong is he, if he gets distracted easily by crowds."
It is not official how many former Tech players will participate for scouts at Pro Day. More possible athletes include Harrell, offensive lineman Stephen Hamby, safety Daniel Charbonnet and receiver Eric Morris.
Tech athletics officials are expecting more scouts than usual to attend this year's Pro Day.
Last year, two scouts - one from the Carolina Panthers and another from the Dallas Cowboys - attended Tech's Pro Day.
Athletes will be expected to do the same drills done at the Combine: the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, 3-Cone drill, broad jump and the 20 and 60-yard shuttles.
McBath said he plans on participating in the running drills as well as the bench press at Pro Day.
At the Combine, McBath ran a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash. He also maxed out at 14 reps in the bench press. Where he made his mark was the vertical jump, maxing out at 38 inches. Notre Dame's David Bruton and Marshall's C.J. Spillman both maxed out at 41.5 inches, which were the only totals higher than McBath's - according to NFL.com.
McBath said he is thankful for another shot to impress NFL scouts.
"To have another opportunity is always good," he said. "Didn't get it right the first time now a second opportunity makes the first time not hurt as bad. Looking forward to it, been working my tail off. We'll see how well I do at Pro Day."
One of the main differences, however, is the players will participate in drills in front of former teammates and coaches.
Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said he has had a chance to reconnect with some of his former players since they've been back to Lubbock.
"I've seen a few of them," he said. "They're all excited, and I think they're looking forward to it. A lot of them have been by."
Vasquez and McBath both agreed Pro Day is an opportunity to come back to a place that is a second home, which makes it an enjoyable experience.
"It feels good to be back in Lubbock," McBath said. "It's home. Been home for the last five years. Feels good to see guys I hadn't seen in months."
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