NORMAN — Trace Ford wasn’t getting much attention from NFL teams going into Oklahoma’s Pro Day, but he may well have some calls coming his way now after his performance in combine-style drills on Tuesday.
Ford’s 4.55 second 40-yard dash would have ranked second among defensive ends at the 2025 NFL Combine. His 7.17 second three-cone time would’ve ranked third at his position, his 4.59 second 20-yard shuttle would’ve tied teammate Ethan Downs for seventh and his 36 inch vertical also would’ve ranked seventh among combine DEs.
Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman and Ethan Downs dish on NFL Combine experience at OU Pro Day
After his workout, Ford was especially pleased to learn that he beat his former Edmond Santa Fe High School and Oklahoma State teammate Collin Oliver’s combine number in the 40 by 0.01 seconds. Ford’s main goal, though, was to prove to prospective suitors that he’s healthy and still has some football left in him.
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Ford missed time in three of his four seasons at OSU due to knee injuries, a history that may keep him from getting drafted. However, since transferring to OU and playing for the Sooners the past two seasons, he hasn’t been a dominant star, but he has stayed healthy while sharpening his defensive knowledge and honing a number of techniques.
The new tricks he learned under OU coaches Brent Venables and Miguel Chavis could help him get a shot as an undrafted free agent to carve out a role as a reserve or special teams ace.
“The stats don't prove it, but I learned to stop the run a lot better here at OU,” Ford said. “A lot about technique, playing a 4-tech, playing a cheetah, playing at the edge. Playing anywhere, really. I owe a lot to Venables and Chavis just teaching me the system. I didn't know what coverages were before getting to OU. I didn't know schemes. I didn't know what a hot blitz meant. Just my knowledge of the game grew tremendously being here the last two years.”
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day (copy)
Oklahoma defensive lineman Trace Ford (30) participates in the broad jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
A solid pro day performance was a relief for Ford, who said he had been stressing about his NFL future since the end of the Sooners’ bowl game in December. A conversation with Ford’s mother, Desirae, calmed him down a little bit, though.
“One day my mom was kind of like, ‘It is what it is? You know? You got a master’s. So why you crying?’ I'm at peace with whatever happens,” Ford said. “Even if I don't get drafted, even if I don't get picked up on a team, I'm happy where I'm at right now, happy with the performance I had today. I'm just happy to play football.
“I’m the breadwinner. I chase money. I chase excellence. So if I didn't have a career in football, I would get into medical sales or something and be really competitive in that. But at the same time, I wanted to prove a lot of people right — or wrong. You know? On Twitter, a lot of people (say), ‘Oh, he's washed. Oh, he can't do this.’ I kind of wanted to prove them wrong. Like, hey, I didn't perform the best at OU, but I still have a lot left in the tank, and I want to show people that. So that was the goal.”
What would an NFL team be getting in Ford?
“I can play anything,” Ford said. “You put me at tight end, I'm gonna catch the ball. Put me at linebacker, I'm gonna make plays. Defensive end, I’ll make plays. I'm a special teams guy. I love special teams. I can play any special teams. So just, if I get a chance, I'll be able to play anything you want me to do.”
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day (copy)
Oklahoma quarterback Casey Thompson (16) participates in the vertical jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
Thompson runs and throws freely at pro day
Casey Thompson was another player who wanted to show scouts he was back at full strength during pro day.
The Oklahoma City native certainly had a unique college career when all was said and done. He initially spurned the Sooners to spend the first three years of his career at archrival Texas, and competed against OU in the 2021 Red River Rivalry. He faced the Sooners again after transferring to Nebraska in 2022.
In 2023, Thompson tore his ACL while at Florida Atlantic, the latest in a series of injuries that hampered his college career. After another disappointment, he was excited by the opportunity to go home. Thompson finally landed at OU, where his father Charles and brother Kendal played quarterbacks — where many thought he’d always end up. He spent the 2024 season behind Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins, offering wisdom and mentorship to the youths.
“I just came in the building every day, just focusing on going 1-0, just trying to win the day, one day at a time, one rep at a time,” Thompson said. “...I loved being with these guys last year on Team 130, just being able to be a positive influence… and I'm really thankful for Coach Venables for giving me the opportunity to just, one, get back healthy, two, to be able to get faster and stronger under (strength coach Jerry Schmidt) and then three, be able to really just provide leadership for the guys in the room.
“I know that God’s will always be done. And if he wants me to take more snaps, I'll be out there taking more snaps. But I can rest at night knowing that I have three years starting in college, and there's really nothing else for me to prove at the college level, just being able to be healthy and get ready for the next level was the most important thing.”
Thompson had a 33 inch vertical and ran a 4.28 second 20-yard shuttle. In positional drills, he made somewhere between 30 and 40 throws and was close to a 90% completion rate.
“I had a lot scripted and I wanted to show off my athleticism, my arm angles, just throwing from different platforms, kind of off platform throws, and just move around a little bit,” Thompson said. “So I was happy I got to do that with a tight end and a receiver.
He added: “I was excited to be able to jump and to run a shuttle time and stuff like that. This is the one of the first few times since, I'd say 2023, running full speed, no knee brace, no leg sleeve, nothing. Just, out here with shorts and T-shirts. So I was happy about that.”
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day (copy)
Oklahoma defensive back Woodi Washington participates in the broad jump Tuesday during OU's Pro Day at Everest Training Center. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
Washington hopes teams like his versatility
Woodi Washington remembers the chatter surrounding the OU defense at the time he came to Norman. The Sooners were one of the worst teams in the nation on that side of the ball and the whole world knew it.
Washington was glad he helped change the narrative. The Sooners made incremental improvement during his years at Oklahoma and were finally a top 25 defense under Venables last year. Washington, the sixth-year defensive back, was one of the leaders of the revolution.
Though his pro day numbers weren’t eye-popping, Washington is hoping his leadership skills, the versatility he showed in playing safety, corner and nickelback in college and the loyalty he displayed in staying at OU for his entire career are things NFL teams will come to appreciate about him.
“I feel like I've been a leader of the team probably the last three years, whenever BV first got here,” Washington said. That's a big thing heading into the NFL.”
The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native said he likes the Tennessee Titans but will go anywhere that gives him a chance. As he spreads his wings for the first time in six years, he certainly won’t forget about his home away from home at OU.
“I feel like this place kind of raised me into the man I am right now,” Washington said. “So it was great just seeing how much I grew as a leader and as a person, as a player while I was here.”
Photos: OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive back Woodi Washington (5) participates in the broad jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma offensive lineman Spencer Brown (58) participates in the broad jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive lineman Trace Ford (30) participates in the broad jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive back Dez Malone (4) participates in the broad jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive lineman Caiden Woullard (90) participates in the broad jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma offensive lineman Spencer Brown (58) participates in the vertical jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive lineman Trace Ford (30) participates in the vertical jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive lineman Trace Ford (30) runs the 40-yard dash during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs the 40-yard dash during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive lineman Caiden Woullard (90) runs the 40 yard dash during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma offensive lineman Michael Tarquin (70) runs the 40 yard dash during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma quarterback Casey Thompson (16) runs a three cone drill during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma tight end Jake Roberts (87) runs a three cone drill during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive lineman Da'Jon Terry (95) runs a three cone drill during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs a three cone drill during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma quarterback Casey Thompson (16) participates in the vertical jump during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive lineman Caiden Woullard (90) participates in position workouts during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive lineman Trace Ford (30) runs a position workout during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive lineman Trace Ford (30) participates in position workouts during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive back Woodi Washington (5) catches a pass in position workouts during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma quarterback Casey Thompson (16) throws a pass in position workouts during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma tight end Jake Roberts (87) catches a pass in position workouts during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma quarterback Casey Thompson (16) throws a pass in position workouts during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma place kicker Tyler Keltner (98) kicks field goals during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma place kicker Tyler Keltner (98) kicks field goals during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma place kicker Zach Schmit (34) kicks field goals during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) speaks in an interview during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) speaks in an interview during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) speaks in an interview during OU Football’s 2025 Pro Day at Everest Training Center on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
mason.young@tulsaworld.com
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