EUGENE -- Six weeks before the first round of the NFL draft is announced April 30, several former Oregon Ducks will test themselves in drills in front of NFL scouts and executives Thursday afternoon inside the indoor Moshofsky Center, Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Marcus Mariota included.

Pro day begins around 1 p.m.

Mariota is the headliner of the workout as an expected top-10 pick, but it's no less important for unheralded Ducks, too, such as safety Erick Dargan, who was not one of the seven Ducks invited to the NFL scouting combine in mid-February. A good showing can help all the Ducks earn potential visits to pro teams next month.

According to Oregon, 12 players will take part in pro day. Expected names include Mariota, Dargan, Jake Fisher, Troy Hill, Tony Washington, Hamani Stevens, Hroniss Grasu, Derrick Malone, Dior Mathis. In February, at the combine, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu said he expected to be present in Eugene, too, though considering his rehabilitation from a torn knee ligament, it's unclear what he would do.

In addition, three other former Ducks are expected to complete: receiver Cameron Colvin, whose last season as a Duck was 2007; guard Fenuki Tupou, who was last in Eugene in 2008; and long snapper Drew Howell, who graduated after the 2013 season. Here is a preview I filed Wednesday of pro day.

Stay here for live updates from the pro day, which will include tweets from reporters (including myself) as the event is happening. Media will be allowed access around 12:30 p.m.

-- Andrew Greif

agreif@oregonian.com

503-221-8100

@andrewgreif