Tigers conduct NFL Pro Day at Murphy Athletic Complex

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Darrell Henderson, Tony Pollard and Trevon Tate were the chief attractions at Wednesday's University of Memphis Pro Day at the Murphy Athletic Complex.

Nearly every NFL team sent representatives to the UofM to get another look at the trio that participated in last month's NFL Combine at Indianapolis. And each likely boosted their stock during the series of workouts they were put through, both indoors in the turf room and outdoors on the artificial turf field.

But linebacker Curtis Akins may have made one of the most significant impacts. Akins, attempting to follow former high school and college teammate Genard Avery into the NFL, said he earned some recognition from several clubs, most notably the Indianapolis Colts.

"I ran between a 4.46 and 4.50 (40-yard dash)," Akins said. "The scout from the Colts said the linebacker drill I did was best he's seen anybody do. I just feel honored and blessed to get this opportunity. Not a lot of people get this opportunity (to perform before scouts).

A three-year starter for the Tigers, Akins played at Byhalia (Miss.) High with Avery before signing with then-coach Justin Fuente and the UofM. He led the team with 88 tackles as a junior and 100 as a senior.

He credits former Tigers linebacker Charles Harris for strengthening him mentally early in his career when a knee injury sidelined him. He said Avery also was involved in keeping him on track to play at a high level.

Now he may have put himself in position to play in the NFL.

"I've been talking to the Colts," he said. "They love me."

Henderson, a first-team AP All-American and the second-leading rusher in school history, accounted for 1,909 yards and 22 touchdowns last season as a junior before declaring for the NFL Draft. He ran an officially timed 4.49 at the Combine, initially reported as 4.37 by the NFL Network.

Wednesday, he didn't run the 40-yard dash for NFL scouts, but he participated in most of the other drills. He said he was pleased with his showing, which included a 33-inch vertical leap.

"I feel like I had a pretty good solid day," Henderson said. "I was just trying to bounce back from the combine and be productive out there. I just tried to show the (scouts) I could catch and run the ball."

Henderson said he decided not to run another 40-yard dash because "I felt I left a pretty good number at the Combine."

Pollard tied a Football Bowl Subdivision record with seven kickoff returns for touchdowns. A two-time American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year, he run a 4.52 40-yard dash at the Combine.

He felt as if Wednesday was his Combine since he was ill with food poisoning during the NFL Combine.

"I thought I had a pretty solid day, a much better day than the Combine," Pollard said. "I came out and showed my ability and (ran) times to match my game film."

Pollard ran a 4.34 40-yard dash Wednesday.

Between now and the draft, Pollard said he won't concentrate on speed drills, rather he'll devote his time to position drills. He envisions himself as a playmaker, regardless of the position.

While he's heard from multiple teams, he doesn't have a particular team he wants to draft him.

"I just want to get drafted, honestly," Pollard said. "I just need an opportunity."

As for Tate, he was a four-year starter for the Tigers playing both right and left tackle. He was pleased with his day, too, which included a 29.5-inch vertical jump and a nine-foot broad jump, both impressive numbers for his position.

"All around, I felt I had a pretty good day football-drill wise," said Tate, who is 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds. "Considering the circumstances I was facing four weeks ago with a torn hamstring, I was able to come back to Memphis and rehab.

"I wasn't able to do much at the Combine (because of the injury), but I think I turned a good amount of heads here with my weight and my size and my ability to move. It was a good opportunity and I took advantage to the best of my abilities."

Other Tigers from the 2018 season participating Wednesday included defensive back Tito Windham and offensive lineman Roger Joseph. The NFL Draft will be held April 25-27 in Nashville.

To reach Phil Stukenborg, email him at p.stukenborg@memphis.edu

University of Memphis Athletics

Tigers conduct NFL Pro Day at Murphy Athletic Complex

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Curtis Akins

Genard Avery

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Roger Joseph

Tony Pollard

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Tito Windham

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