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Here's which FSU football players were at Pro Day and why they were there
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- Here's which FSU football players were at Pro Day and why they were there
A handful of familiar faces were back in town on Friday for Florida State football Pro Day, looking to leave a favorable impression on NFL Scouts before the draft on April 25.
17 different players were inside FSU's Indoor Practice Facility, 11 of which were already at the NFL Scouting Combine a few weeks prior.
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Except for the 225-pound bench press, Pro Day results were not made available to the media.
Here are which players participated in FSU Pro Day and why they were there.
Jared Verse , DE
Florida State Seminoles defensive end Jared Verse (5) against the Syracuse Orange during the first half Oct. 14, 2023, at Doak S. Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
Why Jared Verse was at Pro Day:He was in attendance on Friday to meet with scouts. He said he wants teams to know who he is as a player on and off the field and doesn't want any questions left when draft day comes around.
Verse is predicted to be a top-30 draft pick.
Quotable:"I don't want any questions left up in the air of who he is as a person and how he handles certain situations," Verse said. "I want people to know who I am as a person...I'm just you know, going out there and meeting with a couple of teams. I have no set number on how many I plan to meet with."
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Combine results
40-yard dash - 4.58
Vertical jump - 35"
Broad Jump - 10' 7"
3-cone drill - 7.31
20-yard shuttle run - 4.44
Bench press (225 lbs) - 31 reps
James Rosenberry, LS
The Florida State Seminoles football team hit the field for its fourth practice of the fall season on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
Why James Rosenberry was at Pro Day:The All-American did not participate in any of the traditional Pro Day events but snapped the ball a handful of times in front of scouts.
His snaps were caught by kicker Ryan Fitzgerald. Rosenberry did not travel to the combine, so this was his lone opportunity to get in front of NFL scouts.
Quotable:"I have an idea on what they'll be evaluating me on, but at the end of the day scouts are going to do what they're going to do," Rosenberry said. "I know that they're going to have the best decision at the end of the day for business.
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"All I can do is make sure that my snapping is consistent and up to par on speed."
Kalen DeLoach , LB
Florida State Seminoles linebacker Kalen DeLoach (4) takes down an opponent. The Florida State Seminoles lead the Virginia Tech Hokies 22-10 at the half on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
Why Kalen DeLoach was at Pro Day:At Pro Day, outside of positional drills, DeLoach participated in the 225-pound bench press where recorded 23 reps, and the 3-cone drill. He did not participate in either at the combine.
Quotable:"This process has been different," DeLoach said. "I'm so used to the team aspect, like Tour of Duty and things like that. I've had to get adjusted to it. Waking up, doing workouts, making sure I'm eating the right things and making sure I'm being consistent throughout the process."
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"It's been enjoyable. I got to talk to plenty of teams and that is something over dreamt about."
Combine results
40-yard dash - 4.47
Vertical jump - 30.5"
Broad Jump - 9' 11"
3-cone drill - Not available
20-yard shuttle run - Did not participate
Bench press (225 lbs) - 23 reps (Pro Day)
Trey Benson , RB
Florida State Seminoles running back Trey Benson (3) makes his way down the field. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Louisville Cardinals 16-6 to claim the ACC Championship title in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.
Why Trey Benson was at Pro Day:Benson talked about how he was disappointed with his 40-yard dash time, clocking in a 4.39. When he was training for the combine, Benson said that he was finishing around 4.2. However, Benson did not run the 40 on Pro Day.
The lone event he participated in was the 225-pound bench press. He recorded 23 reps.
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Quotable:"I'm coming back to support my teammates and be around them," Benson said. "I missed out on seeing them at the combine 'cause I was with the running backs. I'm excited to be around guys like Keon [Coleman], Johnny [Wilson], Jaheim [Bell] and support them."
Combine results
40-yard dash - 4.39
Vertical jump - 33.5"
Broad Jump - 10' 2"
3-cone drill - Did not participate
20-yard shuttle run - Did not participate
Bench press (225 lbs) - 23 reps (Pro Day)
Akeem Dent , DB
Defensive back Akeem Dent at FSU football practice on Aug. 5, 2019.
Why Akeem Dent was at Pro Day:With Dent not being invited to the combine, this is his lone opportunity to show NFL teams why they should draft him. He participated in every event on Friday. On the 225-pound bench press, he recorded 16 reps and reportedly ran a 4.38 40-yard dash.
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Quotable:"Doing well on Friday is a big deal, but playing at Florida State is a big deal too," Dent said. "It's a big deal for me. I'm not trying to get too hyped up. I just want to make sure I'm going out there and doing my thing. For me, it ain't never racking, but more exciting."
Braden Fiske , DT
Why Braden Fiske was at FSU Pro Day:After debatably the most impressive performance out of any of the FSU players at the NFL Combine, Fiske is back at FSU to participate in positional drills in front of scouts. In Indianapolis, he ran the fastest 40-yard dash among all defensive tackles at 4.78.
Quotable:"They're trying to get me at a discount no matter what, but putting up performances like that it kind of forces the team to play their hand," Fiske said. "It'll be interesting to see, come draft time, who falls in love with you and who's gonna pull the trigger."
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More: Braden Fiske returns for FSU football's Pro Day with new NFL Draft outlook
Combine results
40-yard dash - 4.78
Vertical jump - 33.5"
Broad Jump - 9' 9"
3-cone drill - Did not participate
20-yard shuttle run - 4.37
Bench press (225 lbs) - 26 reps
D'Mitri Emmanuel, OL
Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman D'Mitri Emmanuel (71) practices with the team on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.
Why D'Mitri Emmanuel was at FSU Pro Day:Finishing up his seventh college football season and participating in his second Pro Day, Emmanuel wanted to prove himself to NFL scouts as he did not get invited to the combine. On the 225-pound bench press, he recorded 21 reps.
Quotable:"Doing Pro Day last year definitely gave me an advantage," Emmanuel said. "The mental preparation and visualization are very big for me. I have to put myself in the moment and know exactly what I'm going to be able to do. I also have some times I'm looking forward to beating from last year."
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Renardo Green , DB
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Renardo Green (8) reacts after breaking up a pass in the third quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Why Renardo Green was at Pro Day:After a strong showing at the combine, Green participated in positional drills and the 5-10-5 shuttle run at Pro Day. Notably, he did not participate in the 225-pound bench press at the combine or Pro Day.
Quotable:"I feel like I had a good combine," Green said. "I feel like I checked off every box that I needed to check off in order to put myself in the best position coming up to the draft."
Combine results
40-yard dash - 4.49
Vertical jump - 37.5"
Broad Jump - 10' 10"
3-cone drill - Did not participate
20-yard shuttle run - Did not participate
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Bench press (225 lbs) - Did not participate
Jarrian Jones , DB
Nov 18, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Azareye'h Thomas (20) and defensive back Jarrian Jones (7) celebrate an interception against the North Alabama Lions during the third quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports
Why Jarrian Jones was at Pro Day:After recording a blazing 4.38 40 time at the NFL Combine, Jones returned to Tallahassee for positional drills and the 5-10-5 shuttle run at Pro Day. Jones did not participate in the 225-pound bench press at the combine or Pro Day.
He said he wanted to "put a stamp" on his movement skills as he's been tabbed as a "bigger" nickleback.
Quotable:"I think my time at FSU is one of the biggest things that's ever happened in my life," Jones said. "I feel like I'm in debt to Florida State for what they did for me and what they got out of me. They had me grow up as a man. Everything [Mike] Norvell taught me I live with to this day."
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Combine results
40-yard dash - 4.38
Vertical jump - 39.5"
Broad Jump - 10' 9"
3-cone drill - Did not participate
20-yard shuttle run - Did not participate
Bench press (225 lbs) - Did not participate
Casey Roddick, OL
Florida State football and coaches players arrive for the 10th FSU spring football practice of the 2023 season on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
Why Casey Roddick was at FSU Pro Day:Roddick was one of two offensive linemen alongside Emmanual who participated in Pro Day. Not invited to the combine, he wanted to make the most of Friday's events. On the 225-pound bench press, Roddick had the best result of the day, recording 27 reps.
Quotable:"Pro Day is one of the most important job interviews I've had in my life," Roddick said. "Being who I am and having my God-given ability that I have, I definitely want to put on a show. I appreciate God for everything that he's allowed me to do up to this point."
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Jaheim Bell , TE
Sep 16, 2023; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Florida State Seminoles tight end Jaheim Bell (6) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Why Jaheim Bell was at FSU Pro Day:After running just around the average time in the 40 at the combine, Bell did positional work at FSU Pro Day. Bell said training for the combine has been a long process, but he's excited about what's next and where he'll land.
Quotable:"I told them [scouts] I'm a very explosive player whenever I'm on the field," Bell said. "I'm a mismatch problem for the defense. Any time that drafts me, they'll get someone who loves football and who is going to work hard each and every day."
Jordan Travis , QB
Florida State University quarterback Jordan Travis (13) reacts after scoring against Clemson during the second quarter Sep 23, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; at Memorial Stadium.
Why Jordan Travis was at FSU Pro Day:Still in the process of rehabbing from a left leg injury sustained in November, Travis was at Pro Day to continue to talk to scouts and support his teammates. He's looking to return to action in April, just in time before the NFL Draft.
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Quotable:"It's God's plan and that's how I look at everything," Travis said. "Every day I wake up, and it's an opportunity to show who I am. I wouldn't change how I have these conversations, even if I was healthy.
"I want to show these teams what I know and who I am as a person because that is very important."
More: Jordan Travis returns for FSU Pro Day eyeing a comeback in time for NFL Draft
Fabien Lovett, DL
Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Fabien Lovett (0) celebrates a stop. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Duke Blue Devils 38-20 on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
Why Fabien Lovett was at FSU Pro Day: While Lovett did go to the combine he did not participate in any events. This being his last chance to show scouts why he should be drafted, Lovett participated in every event. On the 225-pound bench press, he recorded 25 reps.
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Quotable:"My training over the last three months has been smooth. It's nothing like we do at Florida State," Lovett said. "It hasn't been easy, but it hasn't been as challenging as what I'm used to. I'm just getting stronger, faster and dropping some body fat."
Tatum Bethune , LB
FSU linebacker Tatum Bethune (15) practices with the team on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Why Tatum Bethune was at FSU Pro Day: Similar to Lovett, Bethune did travel to Indianapolis, but only participated in one event, the 225-pound bench press. Returning to Tallahassee, he participated in every event.
Quotable:"I talked to a couple of scouts and they all had the same feedback about my leadership and about my style of play," Bethune said. "I play like an old school linebacker, which for me is a compliment cause those are the guys who I study."
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Combine results
Bench press (225 lbs) - 16 reps
Johnny Wilson , WR
Jan 31, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American wide receiver Johnny Wilson of Florida State (14) grabs a pass during practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Why Johnny Wilson was at FSU Pro Day:The former starting wide receiver participated in positional drills at Pro Day on Friday. In Indianapolis, he participated in every event except the 3-cone drill and the 225-pound bench press.
Quotable:Wilson did not speak to media.
Combine results
40-yard dash - 4.52
Vertical jump - 37"
Broad Jump - 10' 8"
3-cone drill - Did not participate
20-yard shuttle run - 4.11
Bench press (225 lbs) - Did not participate
Keon Coleman , WR
Oct 14, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) celebrates after catching a pass over Syracuse Orange defensive back Jason Simmons Jr. (6) (not pictured) during the first quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Why Keon Coleman was at FSU Pro Day:Forecasted as one of the top wide receiver picks in the draft, Coleman was at Pro Day to participate in positional drills. At the combine, Coleman participated in every event except the three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle run and 225-pound bench press.
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Quotable:Coleman did not speak to media.
Combine results
40-yard dash - 4.61
Vertical jump - 38"
Broad Jump - 10' 7"
3-cone drill - Did not participate
20-yard shuttle run - Did not participate
Bench press (225 lbs) - Did not participate
Robert Cooper, DL
Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Robert Cooper (91) celebrates a tackle. The Florida State Seminoles host the Syracuse Orange for the 2019 homecoming game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019.
Why Robert Cooper was at FSU Pro Day:A familiar face was at Pro Day as Cooper, who graduated in 2022, participated in the day's events. He recorded 21 reps on the 225-pound bench press.
Quotable:Cooper did not speak to media.
Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on X @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 17 FSU football players participated in Pro Day. Here's why they were there
