FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Garrett Grayson saved the 40-yard dash for the end of his pro day workout Monday.
"I knew at the end of the day quarterbacks don't get paid to run 40s, they get paid to throw the ball," Grayson said. "I wanted to make sure if something did happen (again) with my hamstring, my throws, at least I got that out."
It was during a 40-yard dash last month that Grayson tweaked a hamstring, preventing him from showing off his skills at the NFL Combine and necessitating his personal pro day Monday at Colorado State University.
Grayson (6-foot-2 and 214 pounds) completed 70 of 74 passes to wide receiver Charles Lovett with an impressive performance in front of more than a dozen NFL scouts at CSU's indoor football field.
"I proved what I can do today," Grayson said. "... think I quieted a few people."
The Mountain West Conference's offensive player of the year was sharp throwing outside the numbers, on three-, five- and seven-step drops, out of the shotgun and on roll-outs and re-sets. He was accurate on medium range and deep throws and solid on over-the-shoulder throws.
Afterward, he ran a couple of 40-yard dashes in the 4.60 range and said his hamstring felt fine.
"I've been, honestly, just waiting to get this over with, just been training for the past three months so it's been a long process," Grayson said. "Obviously, was a little bummed couldn't do anything at the combine. ... I was happy with my performance today, think we missed four throws, wished I could have those back but I think I proved I can make all the throws."
While Grayson was getting healthy over the last month, Baylor's Bryce Petty rose in many scouts' eyes as the third-best QB in the upcoming NFL draft behind Florida State's Jameis Winston and Oregon's Marcus Mariota.
"Me, Bryce Petty and (UCLA's) Brett Hundley, we're all considered to be fighting for that third spot, I can guarantee you can ask those guys too, they're not fighting for the (No. 3), they're fighting for the No. 1," Grayson said. "It's up to us to make that happen . I feel very happy and I've watched all those guys throw and compete, there's not a doubt in my mind that I can compete with them."
Grayson said it was important to show prospective suitors that he can line up under center, something he did a lot of early in his career under former Rams coach Jim McElwain but not so much his senior season.
"This past season we were probably 90 percent (shotgun) so I wanted to prove to everybody that I can take the five-step, the seven-step drops, under center and throw with accuracy," Grayson said. "Roll out right and throwing a comeback left to the far side of the field, that was something I wanted to prove, that I had the arm strength to make those throws."
What surprised Grayson were his 40-yard dashes.
"To be honest I didn't know how I was going to do because I haven't run, sprinted or anything since it happened," he said. "What you guys just saw was my first sprint in over a month. That gives me confidence going forward that I can move without something happening."
Lovett's first pair of gloves ripped halfway through the workout, so he had to get another. And for all his hard work catching those darts, Grayson said he'd buy his buddy a pair of Air Jordan sneakers.
Lovett said he probably wouldn't wear them but keep them as a memento. Besides, it was the extra exposure that he appreciated the most. He had his pro day with other Rams seniors on March 11.
"It gave me a second opportunity to get looked at," Lovett said after huddling with scouts from the Browns and Bengals after catching Grayson's array of passes. "Oh yeah, the Jordans are definitely second. Because if I make it, I can get unlimited pairs. I can get y'all some Jordans."
http://pro32.ap.org/article/csu-qb-garrett-grayson-makes-lost-time-pro-day
