Pro Day: Dallas Goedert, Jake Wieneke, Chris Streveler make their case for the NFL

BROOKINGS – The NFL came to South Dakota on Friday, as all 32 teams descended on the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex on the campus of South Dakota State for college football Pro Day.

It was an unprecedented level of NFL attention for SDSU and FCS football, driven, of course, by Jackrabbit tight end Dallas Goedert, a projected early pick. Testing began at 9 a.m., and shortly before it began, SDSU coach John Stiegelmeier commented that the NFL scouts were there specifically to see Goedert run the 40-yard dash. Soon after, word spread that Goedert would not be running the 40.

“Just talked about it with my agent,” Goedert said of the decision. “(With) different scenarios that could’ve happened we decided it was best for me not to run.”

Some of the scouts were less than pleased, but Goedert still made it worth the trip for them. He recorded a 35-inch vertical jump and 10-1 in the broad jump. He looked good in the cone drill, less so in the shuttle, and showed good burst and explosion in blocking drills.

But Goedert is all about pass-catching production, and he showcased his hands and ball-tracking ability while taking throws from former NFL quarterback Ryan Lindley. A deep fade on the first route Goedert ran bounced off his hands, but he didn’t drop another pass after that.

“I think I did a pretty good job,” Goedert said. “I thought I caught the ball well. In blocking drills I showed what I can do. I’m happy it’s done. It was a good day.”

The last time SDSU held a Pro Day it was for running back Zach Zenner (who’s now entering his fourth NFL season), and four NFL teams showed up. Goedert knew he was the main reason every team came to Brookings on Friday, but with all the poking and prodding he’s been subjected to since the season ended he’s used to the attention by now.

More: Zimmer: Goedert, Wieneke leaving a legacy as SDSU's best

“There’s definitely pressure – I woke up in the middle of the night last night kind of nervous,” Goedert said. “But I think my film speaks for itself. That’s what’s gonna get me drafted.”

Jake Wieneke, the Jacks’ all-time leading receiver, was the secondary target Friday, and he had a good day, improving on the numbers he posted at the NFL Combine. He was clocked (unofficially) at 4.69 in the 40-yard dash, and hit 35 inches on his vertical jump, 9-9 in the broad jump and recorded 13 bench press reps (225 pounds).

SDSU center Jacob Ohnesorge, nose tackle Kellen Soulek, running back Brady Mengarelli and cornerback Anthony Washington also competed, and Ohnesorge shined. The 6-3, 300-pound center jumped 32 inches in the vertical and completed 28 reps on the bench.

“This whole thing was a testament to Dallas and everything he’s done for the program,” Wieneke said. “Me, Anthony, Kellen - all of us, we benefited from having all these scouts here because of Dallas and what he’s done. This was unlike any Pro Day they’ve ever had here.”

Not surprisingly, USD quarterback Chris Streveler was one of the day’s most impressive athletes. He ran a 4.4 40-yard dash, reached 38.5 in the vertical jump, 10-5 in the broad jump, and then threw nothing but bullets in his passing exhibition. The 6-2, 200-pound Missouri Valley Football Conference player of the year is a longshot to get drafted, but demonstrated impressive tools.

“Honestly, I’m really happy,” said Streveler, who was joined by Coyote teammates Brandt Van Roekel, Josh Hale and Brandon Godsey. “I think I did as good as I could’ve done in everything. It only takes one team to like you. Hopefully some of us were able to impress at least one out of 32 teams.”

When asked about the possibility of playing a position other than quarterback at the next level, Streveler said: “I didn’t hear anything about that today, (but) I’m open to that. I haven’t trained at anything other than quarterback, but it’s the NFL. If a team wants me to be on special teams, or do whatever – receiver, running back, defense – I’ll give it everything I have to get on the field.”

A pair of USF Cougars turned in strong performances, too. Running back Max Mickey, a Division II All-American, and linebacker Dennis Gardeck, last year’s NSIC sack leader, both put their names on the NFL radar.

Mickey ran a 4.45 40-yard dash, while Gardeck ran it in 4.56 while competing a whopping 31 bench press reps, the most of any of the day’s competitors.

More: USF football: West Virginia State grad transfer Dennis Gardeck dominating NSIC

It was a surreal day with so many NFL reps in attendance, and the competitors knew Goedert was the reason. Several players congratulated and thanked the Britton Bomber after testing ended. Goedert met privately with a few scouts, and said over the course of the next month he’ll travel to work out for six teams and host another six or so for workouts in Brookings. The draft is April 26-28 in Dallas.

Goedert said he has a good feel for what teams need tight ends or would be inclined to use one with his skill set, but where he’ll end up is still anyone’s guess. He’s in the midst of the most hectic and important stretch of his young life, but he’s taking the time to soak it up and enjoy it. And all along, his sky-high confidence hasn’t wavered.

“The last four years have been incredible here, but I’m ready for the next step and the next challenge,” Goedert said. “I’m ready to go dominate the NFL just like I did here.”