Jasper Brinkley to visit Cowboys
Losing weight boosts Brinkley's draft stock
By Willie T. Smith III
STAFF WRITER
April 2, 2009
University of South Carolina linebacker Jasper Brinkley has always been a glass-half-full type of guy.
But a knee injury ended his 2007 season after four games, and he got off to a slow start in 2008. An All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2006, Brinkley dropped from a potential first- or second-round NFL draft pick to a player whose name wouldn't be called during the draft weekend.
The glass may by filling up, however. After several impressive workouts for NFL teams, Brinkley has made significant progress in his quest for a shot in the NFL.
"Things are going really good," Brinkley said. "All the hard work is really paying off, because that is what it takes when you're preparing for the draft."
Brinkley caught the attention of teams in February at the NFL Combine, during which he ran a 4.67 40-yard dash, bench-pressed 225 pounds 26 times and had a vertical leap of 35inches. He followed that last month with an impressive showing at USC's Pro Day, when he worked out for representatives of 25 NFL teams.
As impressive as his results on the field was his physique.
Listed at 275 pounds in the Gamecocks media guide and playing even heavier during the season, the 6-foot-1à Brinkley now weighs in at 249 pounds.
"I really improved my nutrition," said Brinkley, who has been working out in New Jersey. Being in college, you really don't follow that, the nutrition program, like you should. (In New Jersey) they had the nutrition thing down to a science, what every player needs to eat. They have a meal plan where you can get down to your targeted weight by the time you leave. That's what I did - went in and stayed dedicated to it, and it paid off."
Brinkley, who is considered a good fit in either a three- or four-linebacker scheme, is scheduled to visit the Dallas Cowboys on April 13, and Denver, Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Miami have requested private workouts. Kansas City and New England also have been in contact.
Several analysts now project Brinkley as a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick, although some believe he could be selected in the third. That is a lot better than things looked at the end of Carolina's season.
"I'm pretty optimistic about the whole process," Brinkley said. "Everything happens for a reason, and things appear to be going well."
By Willie T. Smith III
STAFF WRITER
April 2, 2009
University of South Carolina linebacker Jasper Brinkley has always been a glass-half-full type of guy.
But a knee injury ended his 2007 season after four games, and he got off to a slow start in 2008. An All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2006, Brinkley dropped from a potential first- or second-round NFL draft pick to a player whose name wouldn't be called during the draft weekend.
The glass may by filling up, however. After several impressive workouts for NFL teams, Brinkley has made significant progress in his quest for a shot in the NFL.
"Things are going really good," Brinkley said. "All the hard work is really paying off, because that is what it takes when you're preparing for the draft."
Brinkley caught the attention of teams in February at the NFL Combine, during which he ran a 4.67 40-yard dash, bench-pressed 225 pounds 26 times and had a vertical leap of 35inches. He followed that last month with an impressive showing at USC's Pro Day, when he worked out for representatives of 25 NFL teams.
As impressive as his results on the field was his physique.
Listed at 275 pounds in the Gamecocks media guide and playing even heavier during the season, the 6-foot-1à Brinkley now weighs in at 249 pounds.
"I really improved my nutrition," said Brinkley, who has been working out in New Jersey. Being in college, you really don't follow that, the nutrition program, like you should. (In New Jersey) they had the nutrition thing down to a science, what every player needs to eat. They have a meal plan where you can get down to your targeted weight by the time you leave. That's what I did - went in and stayed dedicated to it, and it paid off."
Brinkley, who is considered a good fit in either a three- or four-linebacker scheme, is scheduled to visit the Dallas Cowboys on April 13, and Denver, Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Miami have requested private workouts. Kansas City and New England also have been in contact.
Several analysts now project Brinkley as a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick, although some believe he could be selected in the third. That is a lot better than things looked at the end of Carolina's season.
"I'm pretty optimistic about the whole process," Brinkley said. "Everything happens for a reason, and things appear to be going well."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:56 PM
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