Pro Timing Day Recap

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PHILADELPHIA – The 15 Temple graduating student-athletes, as well as junior DT Muhammad Wilkerson, were evaluated on Friday during Temple football's annual Pro Timing Day.

Scouts from all 32 National Football League teams timed and evaluated 16 Owls and four additional Pennsylvania players for the upcoming NFL Draft. Eagles' head coach Andy Reid also made an appearance. The day's activities were covered by 25 credentialed media members.

Temple begins spring drills on Wednesday, March 23. The annual Cherry & White intra-squad scrimmage is slated for Saturday, April 16 at Chodoff Field at Edberg-Olson Hall at 2:30 p.m. This year's team returns 46 lettermen, including 13 starters.

The Owls, under first-year head coach Steve Addazio, open the 2011 season with Villanova in the third annual Mayor's Cup on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Temple football season tickets are on sale now for as low as $15 per game, and can be purchased by calling the Temple Ticket Office at 215-204-8499. Fans are encouraged to visit www.OwlsTix.com for full season ticket pricing information.

QUOTES

DB Jaiquawn Jarrett
Just to see all the NFL staff out here, it's always excited to see them come out to North Philadelphia. In previous years, it was never like this. Temple had one or two scouts here. This year all 32 teams are here; it's inspiring.

Do you think that's a sign of where this program is headed?
Yes, I think that's attributed to what Coach Golden and his staff did when they were here. They treated us like men; they got us to buy into the program. And the sooner we bought into the program, the more we started to win. That's how. When you start to win, you get NFL scouts who want to come out and watch you perform.

How important was today for you?
This day was very important for me after going to the Combine. I wanted to come out and show the scouts that I have improved over the last couple of weeks that I've been home.

You didn't run today. Why?
I like the times I had at the Combine. So I sat on those times, and I came out here to work on position drills.

What have you done since the end of the season to increase your stock?
I've just been studying film, continuing to work on my technique, working on my hips, getting ready to compete.

Has any team given you extra attention?
Not any team in particular. I've met with just about every team when I was at the Combine. So I'm just looking forward to any team being interested in me.

LB Elijah “Peanut” Joseph
When I went to the combine, I didn't participate in any (drills). I just did the interviews. Today I did the bench test, and I feel great about that.

Does it get you more fired up to see Eagles' head coach Andy Reid here today?
If here were in the weight room while I was benching, I probably would have done more. I'm not running, so it doesn't really give me hype.

Does the dream of playing in the NFL feel closer when you're out here in front of the scouts?
Definitely. I feel my goals are getting closer; it's only an arms' length away. I'm right here.

Do you know where you're projected to go?
I don't know where I'm projected. I just hope a team like me, and I'll go there.

What have you done in the last few months to improve your stock?
With this (knee) injury, I've just been rehabbing, and I just hope one team likes me.

Is that why you couldn't participate in the drills at the Combine in Indianapolis?
Yes. I got hurt in the second to last game of the season. I had surgery, and I now I'm rehabbing. I feel great. I should be able to run in two to three weeks. I'm looking forward to that.

DT Muhammad Wilkerson

Is there anything you can show them here that you didn't show at the Combine?
I felt everyone saw me at the Combine, workout and move around for a guy my size. I did pretty well. But to come out here, I wanted to keep the communication going. I'm a big guy. I wanted to show I'm athletic and can move around.

It's been a long time a Temple player went in the first round of the Draft. Are you excited to end that drought?
I really don't pay attention to the media that much. I hear things-- maybe first round, but my job is to stay focused, keep training, and wait til April to see what happens.

You're not getting caught up in it?
No. I've never been caught up in the media. If I'm a first rounder, congratulations to the staff that helped me out here at Temple. I'll just move on from there and try to have a successful professional career.

What's it mean to have Andy Reid here today?
It means a lot. It shows that he may be interested in me, and it shows what type of guy he is-- that he has faith in the Temple players out here and that we have athletic ability.

If you went to the Eagles, how comfortable would you feel playing at the Linc, where you played all your college games?
That would be fantastic. To stay in Philly, knowing that I was a Temple Owl, and playing at the Linc. I had a pretty good time playing at the Linc, and if I got a chance to play for the Eagles, that would be a great thing.

Do you take away from this that you're not just showing off but that you're still learning?
Yes, of course. I'm the type of guy who always wants to learn. There is one thing about football-- there is always room for improvement. When a coach is saying little thins to me or helping me work on fundamentals or technique, my ears are wide open. I'm ready to learn.

Have you spoken to any former Temple players-- Terrance Knighton, Dominique Harris-- about the Draft and playing in the NFL?
I've spoken to quite a few of those guys. They told me they were happy the way things were going for me, and to just keep working hard and never be satisfied. Being a professional athlete is one thing; you can't take days off. You always have to come every day, ready to work.

What will it be like to hear your name called at the Draft?
Growing up, being a little kid, I always dreamed of playing in the National Football League. Once my name is called, it will be a great honor for me to represent my family. I'll be a real happy guy that day.

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Pro Timing Day Recap

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