By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas guard Mitch Petrus made a splash with his bench press last month, lifting 225 pounds 45 times to equal an NFL Scouting Combine record.
But the rest of Petrus’ workout for NFL scouts was cut short when he suffered a leg injury running the 40-yard dash. So Petrus wanted to prove something to NFL scouts who attended Arkansas’ on-campus Pro Day on Tuesday morning.
“I told them I don’t get hurt,” Petrus said of his conversations with NFL personnel at the Combine last month. “I don’t have injuries. I’ve been fortunate. Then I go out there and do that and look like a hypocrite.
“So I want to make sure I can set the record straight.”
Petrus — who will likely be the first Arkansas player selected in the 2010 Draft next month — did get through the day without suffering an injury. Petrus did not have to participate in the bench press after his impressive showing at the NFL Combine, but did run the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds and competed in skill drills and position work.
He also believes he made an impression in the meeting room, too. Petrus, who was one of the most vocal players on the 2010 team, believes that playing for Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino has helped him be more prepared for the NFL.
“Coach Petrino has helped me out so much,” Petrus said. “I didn’t realize it until it came to this time. He’s first class, all business and handles everything that way. That’s really how it is at the next level. It hasn’t been a shock or a big surprise. I knew what I was getting into.”
Many mock drafts have listed Petrus among the top five guards in the draft and project he could be selected as high as the second round. Petrus said he doesn’t pay any attention to the prognosticators, though. His only goal is to be selected by someone to play somewhere next year.
“When you’re getting paid this much money, I’ll go wherever,” Petrus said. “It doesn’t matter to me wherever I go. I’ll go to another planet to play if I’ve got to.
“Just getting there and getting on the roster is my goal.”
Sheppard’s Shoulder
Petrus wasn’t the only Arkansas player dealing with an injury at the NFL Combine. Defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard said he was nursing a slight tear in his left shoulder from the Liberty Bowl and wasn’t completely healthy.
Sheppard’s numbers lagged, especially in the bench press where he managed 19 reps. However, Sheppard said he benched 225 pounds 25 times Tuesday and improved in other drills even though he still is approximately 85 percent.
“I’m not 100 percent right now and it’s unfortunate at this time during the combine and the evaluation process that I’m not 100 percent,” said Sheppard, who heard he could be selected between the fourth and seventh rounds. “But I feel like I’m a better player than what I show right now. Scouts, when they go back and see my film, they see that.”
Familiar Face
Arkansas receivers London Crawford and Lucas Miller had a familiar face throwing them the football during Tuesday’s workout: Former Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick.
Dick, who was a senior in 2008, is still hoping to land a roster spot in the NFL and auditioned with the rest of the Razorbacks. Dick, who drew some attention for Canadian Football League teams last season, still lives in Fayetteville and was hoping to make an impression.
“It’s everything,” Dick said. “It’s what you work for, just to get a second opportunity. I’ve been working all year and trying to get better at everything. If you get an opportunity you’ve just to take it and run with it.”
Say What?
Nerves are pretty common for players as they participate in pro day workouts. But Sheppard said he didn’t have anything to be nervous about Tuesday morning.
Especially after taking part in the NFL Combine.
“After you get through the combine situation where you basically walk around naked all day, you really don’t have too much to worry about,” Sheppard said. “It kind of gets you over being nervous and stuff.”
