As Derek Stingley Jr. set to run his 40-yard dash, a hush came over the dozens in attendance at LSU's pro day.
And when the numbers 4.37 flashed up on the screen, it was met with a murmur of positivity for the elite NFL draft prospect who's missed significant time due to injury each of the past two seasons.
But one person who wasn't impressed? Stingley himself. He knew he could go faster, even just three weeks removed from medical clearance following Lisfranc surgery to repair the injury that ended his final LSU season. So he ran again, but a poor start led to a 4.4 that the DB was still peeved about following his pro day performance overall.
"I can run faster than 4.3 ... I popped up at the beginning [of the second run]," Stingley said. "That was it."
Despite the slower-than-hoped-for 40-yard dash, Stingley completed the overall mission: To show the many scouts in attendance that he's healthy and deserving of a top pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Working out shirtless and with a black beanie, Stingley calmly executed the individual drills and looked smooth, fast and in control. He also demonstrated the necessary explosion with a 38.5-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 2-inch broad jump.
"It was good. It was fun. All the teams just wanted to see how I move," Stingley said. "And after I showed them that I'm still me, everything's going to be good."
KIRKLIN DOES IT ALL
Jontre Kirklin has already shown his ability to take the reins at quarterback, doing so in a pinch for LSU's bowl game against Kansas State. But on Tuesday he showed something else: defensive back.
The WR bested everyone in attendance with a 42-inch vertical leap and 11-foot, 6-inch broad jump. Then joined the DBs in drills, looking every bit the part as he put his do-it-all approach on full display.
"I was just confident with everything," Kirklin said. "I kind of wanted a little better with my 40 (4.52), but I still showcased a lot."
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ANTHONY RETURNS
Andre Anthony's senior season ended early with a knee injury, but he got back healthy just in time to showcase his abilities at LSU's pro day.
The DE only had a few days to prepare, but was able to run a 4.69 in the 40-yard dash without much training, and he showed out in drills in front of a host of NFL scouts as he seeks to continue his career at the pro level.
"I just wasn't going to let [the torn ACL] be my story," Anthony said. "So I just had to make sure I did what I had to do to get back to normal. ... Now it's just to see what God has for me next."
FULL PRO DAY RESULTS
DE, ANDRE ANTHONY
Bench: 21
40: 4.63
RB, TY DAVIS-PRICE
Bench: 18
Vertical: 35.5"
Broad: 9’10"
3-cone: 7.25
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OT, AUSTIN DECULUS
Bench: 24
40: 5.0
3-cone: 6.7
DB, DARREN EVANS
DT, NEIL FARREL
40: 5.33
20-yard shuttle: 5.5
DB, CORDALE FLOTT
Vertical: 34”
Broad: 10’2"
40: 4.40
3-cone: 6.94
20-yard shuttle: 4.1
OL, CHASEN HINES
Bench: 20
Vertical: 29.5"
3-cone: 8.46
20-yard shuttle: 5.0
WR, JONTRE KIRKLIN
Bench: 10
Vertical: 42”
Broad: 11’6"
40: 4.52
3-cone: 7.0
20-yard shuttle: 4.3
DB, CAM LEWIS
40: 4.57
3-cone: 7.34
20-yard shuttle: 4.4
DT, GLEN LOGAN
40: 4.99
3-cone: 7.88
20-yard shuttle: 4.75
C, LIAM SHANAHAN
40: 5.14
3-cone: 7.39
20-yard shuttle: 4.69
CB, DEREK STINGLEY
Vertical: 38.5”
Broad: 10’2"
40: 4.37
3-cone: 7.0
20-yard shuttle: 4.19
TE, JAMAL PETTIGREW
Bench: 20
Vertical: 36.5"