<
>

Dorial Green-Beckham, Jordan Phillips make their case at OU pro day

NORMAN, Okla. -- Potential first-round NFL draft picks Dorial Green-Beckham and Jordan Phillips were the headliners as the Oklahoma Sooners held their annual pro day on Wednesday.

Neither Green-Beckham or Phillips ran the 40-yard dash after solid showings at February's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, but the duo did do some on-field work and drills for the NFL scouts gathered to get a first-hand look.

At 6-foot-5, 236 pounds, Green-Beckham moved like a much smaller man while running routes and catching passes during the workouts. He also recorded a 10-foot broad jump, 33-inch vertical and 4.34 20-yard shuttle. The former Missouri receiver is confident he has improved his draft stock since the start of the process.

"I felt like at the combine my stats really improved my draft stock," he said. "I've gotten great feedback from the coaches about that and them telling me my draft stock has been going up because of how I've been improving and handling myself."

Questions about Green-Beckham's dismissal from Missouri have cast a shadow of doubt over this unquestioned physical gifts.

"At the combine I got a lot of questions," Green-Beckham said. "Overall I got great feedback about it, just showing honesty and showing you're accountable. That's the main thing they want to see. They want to know what really happened, that's when you have to confess to everything and let them know what went on."

Green-Beckham insisted he plans to get his degree from OU and considers himself a Sooner, despite being unable wear crimson and cream in a game after transferring from Missouri and spending one season on the scout team before declaring for the NFL draft.

"I felt like I improved on the field, I took advantage of the scout team and getting better, I took advantage of the school work, I took advantage of everything," Green-Beckham said of his short stint in Norman, Oklahoma. "I didn't take any days off, I became a better person and better player."

Phillips, the other potential first-rounder in action on Wednesday, went through several drills and displayed his exceptional athleticism after measuring at 6-5, 327 pounds. He looked more like a linebacker than defensive tackle in several drills as he aimed to catapult himself higher in the draft.

"I can move a lot better than a lot people out here so I wanted to show my athleticism," he said. "Three hundred and thirty (pounds) normally doesn't move the way I do."

Much like Green-Beckham, Phillips declared early for the NFL draft. He entered the process with questions about his work ethic but is confident he's taking steps to cross that off the list of negatives on his profile.

"Coming out, the question was my work ethic," Phillips said. "I feel like at the combine and here I've proven I can work."

Notable:

  • Tackles Tyrus Thompson recorded a 5.39 in the 40 and 8.02 in the three-cone drill before participating in on-field drills for the scouts.

  • Daryl Williams participated in on-field drills as well after skipping the 40-yard dash and other events he did at the combine.

  • Converted quarterback Blake Bell, who played one season at tight end for OU, ran routes and caught passes for NFL scouts as his transition to the tight end spot continues. After a stellar combine showing, Bell didn't participate in the timed events.

  • Defensive back Julian Wilson made up for a subpar 40-yard time (4.58) at the NFL combine, clocking a 4.49 to secure the spot as the fastest Sooner to run on Wednesday.

  • Tight end/linebacker/defensive end Geneo Grissom could be a Sooner to keep a eye on. He went through several offensive and defensive drills, running routes with Bell one minute then going through agility drills with Phillips the next minute. His versatility and athleticism could help him earn a spot. After measuring at 6-4, 261 pounds, Grissom's 35-inch vertical was the best of the day. He ran 4.82 and broad jumped 9 feet, 10 inches.