CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Earlier this month, the stage was set inside the Smith Center, where a handful of Illinois seniors took on one of the most monumental episodes of their football lives.
“It’s the culmination of their careers. Last official event in our facilities, I think a lot of guys helped themselves today,” said Illinois head coach Bret Bielema.
A crowded fieldhouse surrounded Seth Coleman as he prepared for his vertical jump. But while Coleman is recording an impressive performance, a room full of Illini staffers and NFL scouts are having discussions — some catching up and some having extensive conversations about Illinois prospects.
Later in the day, Coleman was tasked with completing the short shuttle, a standard test at every pro day. He struggled. It took him more than three tries to complete the drill properly, but eventually, a Packers scout talked.
“There’s always nerves to every situation here, and like high-intensity situations,” Coleman said. “After the first couple of things that I did, the nerves were gone.”
Thirty out of 32 NFL teams were at Illinois’ Pro Day.
It's an opportunity these Illinois seniors do not take lightly — Ryan Meed and TeRah Edwards, who are still waiting on the possibility of returning to Illinois — helped make the case for themselves.
“I just hoped I showed them that I'm athletic for my size, two, that I'm in shape because im at a heavier weight,” Edwards said.
The most prolific Illinois NFL prospect, wide receiver Pat Bryant, participated in the NFL combine last month, but only participated in the route-running part of the Pro day.
While he is likely going to be the top Illini draft pick next month, he won’t be the only NFL prospect from Illinois to catch the attention of scouts. Bret Bielema says a scout said a defensive back from Illinois will almost certainly add a round or two to his draft value, simply because the laundry was orange and blue.
It's hard not to think about Devon Witherspoon when you think of Illinois.
“I stood back and like, holy cow... But that’s what’s grown, right? That’s what’s been built,” Bielema said.
That’s the legacy that continues to grow at Illinois and the legacy Bielema hopes to capitalize on come recruiting time.