AUSTIN, Texas — Texas football's Pro Day is on Tuesday afternoon - after Steve Sarkisian and the 2026 Longhorns - back from spring break - hit the field for their fourth of 15 spring practices on Tuesday morning.
The guys who can help themselves the most on Pro Day are the guys who didn't get an NFL combine invitation - guys like Ethan Burke, Cole Brevard, Cole Hutson and Travis Shaw.
Texas has multiple success stories regarding guys who didn't get a combine invite but parlayed a strong Pro Day into an NFL career.
Safety Brenden Schooler, punter Michael Dickson and DT Henry Melton all went to become Pro Bowlers in the NFL after not being invited to the combine.
Melton parlayed his Pro Day into becoming a fourth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2009 NFL Draft and played six seasons (four with Chicgao, one with Dallas and one with Tampa Bay), going to the Pro Bowl in 2012 as a Chicago Bear.
Melton started off his Texas career as a freshman in 2005 at running back before moving to the defensive line under Will Muschamp, finishing his Texas career in 2008.
I caught up with Melton on Monday for a quick Q&A about his Pro Day experience leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft (
Q: What was your reaction to not being invited to the combine?
MELTON: Honestly, it was disappointing at first. Any time you feel like you belong in that group and don't get the invite, it hits you a little. But pretty quickly, I flipped it into motivation. I knew I still had a shot. I just had to make Pro Day count and control what I could control.
2) How important was Pro Day for you and your NFL future?
MELTON: Pro Day was everything for me. That was my stage. My 40 time [4.64 at 270 pounds] - and especially my time splits really put me on the map. I think that's when teams started seeing my explosiveness and upside in a different way. Also, having every scout already there to see Brian Orakpo [a first-round pick, selected No. 13 overall, by **Washington**] definitely helped. There were a lot of eyes in the building, and I was able to take advantage of that moment.
3) How important was Pro Day for you in setting up meetings with NFL teams?
MELTON: It was huge. That's where you get real face time with coaches and scouts. For me, coming from an offensive background and transitioning to defense, teams had a lot of questions. Pro Day gave me a chance to tell my story, show my football IQ, and let them see who I was beyond just the numbers.
4) What advice would you give the Texas guys heading into Pro Day tomorrow?
MELTON: Treat it like your Super Bowl. Be prepared. Be confident. And don't try to be someone you're not. Everybody in that building is looking for something specific. Just show them your best version. And if you've got a unique story, like I did switching positions, lean into that. Teams are intrigued by upside and growth. Most importantly, control your energy and enjoy the moment, you've earned it.