CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Earlier this month, the Smith Center became the setting for a pivotal moment in the lives of several Illinois seniors as they faced one of the most important events of their football careers.
“It’s the culmination of their careers. This is their last official event in our facilities, and I think a lot of guys improved their stock today,” said Illinois head coach Bret Bielema.
As Seth Coleman prepared for his vertical jump, a packed fieldhouse surrounded him. While Coleman delivered an impressive performance, the room buzzed with conversations among Illini staffers and NFL scouts—some catching up, others engaging in in-depth discussions about Illinois prospects.
Later in the day, Coleman was required to complete the short shuttle, a staple of every pro day. He faced some difficulty, needing more than three attempts to successfully finish the drill. However, a Packers scout approached him afterward for a brief coaching moment.
“There’s always nerves in situations like this, especially in high-pressure moments,” Coleman shared. “But after the first few attempts, the nerves faded away.”
A total of 30 out of 32 NFL teams attended Illinois’ Pro Day.
This is an opportunity that the Illinois seniors don’t take for granted — Ryan Meed and TeRah Edwards, who are still awaiting the possibility of returning to Illinois, worked to make a strong case for themselves.
“I just wanted to show them that I’m athletic for my size, and secondly, that I’m in shape despite being at a heavier weight,” Edwards said.
Pat Bryant, the most prominent Illinois NFL prospect and a wide receiver, took part in the NFL combine last month. Although he attended Pro Day, he only participated in the route-running portion of the event.
While he’s expected to be the top Illini draft pick next month, Pat Bryant won’t be the only NFL prospect from Illinois to attract the attention of scouts. According to Bret Bielema, a scout mentioned that a defensive back from Illinois will likely boost his draft stock by a round or two simply because he’s from a school with orange and blue on the jerseys.
It’s hard not to think of Devon Witherspoon when discussing Illinois.
“I stepped back and thought, ‘Wow…’ But that’s what has been built, right? That’s what’s been developed,” Bielema remarked.
This is the legacy that continues to grow at Illinois, and it’s the same legacy Bielema hopes to leverage during recruiting season.
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