2014 Reese's Senior Bowl running backs and fullbacks

Auburn fullback Jay Prosch runs a route during the Senior Bowl South squad practice on Jan. 20, 2014, at Fairhope Municipal Stadium in Fairhope, Ala. (Scott Donaldson, AL.com)

AUBURN, Alabama -- More than 15 former Auburn players will try to impress scouts today inside the Auburn Athletics Complex.

It's pro day on the Auburn campus and the big stars are out as three Tigers attempt to solidify a spot as a first-round prospect in the NFL Draft, but there's more to the day than left tackle Greg Robinson and watching skill players run the 40-yard dash.

Robinson will be in attendance, but the left tackle will not participate in many of the workouts following his impressive performance at the NFL Combine. Outside of Robinson are several former Tigers the NFL scouts will have their eyes on when pro day begins inside the Auburn weight room at 10 a.m.



Here are three players we believe have the most to prove today:

1. S Demetruce McNeal, 6-2, 185 pounds

The senior was dismissed from Auburn's football team in August after he was arrested on a second-degree misdemeanor marijuana charge. He will reportedly return today to Auburn's Athletics Complex to participate in the Tigers' pro day and no one has more to prove than him. An NFL-type talent entering last season, he fell off the radar after transferring to West Alabama, where he still managed to cap his college career with a strong season. Scouts did not see him this year, so he could easily turn heads today in Auburn. McNeal co-led West Alabama with 63 tackles and led the way with three interceptions. He also broke up seven passes as the Tigers' starting safety.

McNeal entered 2013 as Auburn's leading returning tackler but missed part of spring practice with what was described as personal issues, and later missed the start of fall camp with a staph infection.

2. DE Dee Ford, 6-2, 252

Auburn's sacks leader was disappointed when he was unable to back up his strong words at the NFL Combine last week with a big performance on the field. He made waves when he proclaimed himself a better pass rusher than South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney, who many expect to go early in the first round of the NFL Draft in May. Ford was scratched from on-the-field workouts by combine medical staff, who had concerns stemming from a back surgery in 2011. Ford will participate in workouts today, and a big performance could lock up a spot in the first round. He's a fringe first-round pick entering today and may have slipped into the second round after standing on the sidelines at the combine.

Ford caught scouts' attention at the Senior Bowl, where he was named the Defensive MVP for his two sacks and dominating one-on-one performances at practice. A low 40 time (word is he is aiming for a 4.46), a big-time vertical jump and 30-plus bench reps would go a long way today to snagging a first-round selection in May.

3. FB Jay Prosch, 6-1, 256

The Mobile native did not get an invite to the NFL Combine, but his practices at the Senior Bowl may have been enough for a mid- to late-round selection in the draft.



He's known as a workout warrior at Auburn, where was twice selected to CBSSports.com's "freaks" list, but let's forget the physique, his freakish performances in the bench press and his blocking ability. Prosch may be better served today to seek out a quarterback. Scouts are interested in seeing him catch passes and whether he can be a consistent threat in the flats and down the field. He proved to be dangerous at times for the Tigers, especially on wheel routes, and caught a total of 10 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown in his two years at Auburn. The traditional fullback still has a place in the NFL, of course, but Prosch needs to prove he is a capable and versatile option in the passing game as well. More importantly, he needs to show some improvement on the field.