Pro Day Wrap-Ups

Stephen Tsai writes about the hamstring injuries suffered by Blaze Soares and John Estes during yesterday's Pro Day.

"I trained this hard, and something like this happens," said Soares, his right thigh wrapped with an ice pack that could not numb his emotional pain.

In a makeshift medical area, Estes sat in a folding chair, his face reduced to a blank stare.

"I'm very disappointed," he said.

UH head coach Greg McMackin said he will arrange for a retired NFL scout to coordinate a 40-yard dash in Hawai'i if Estes or Soares want to attempt the distance before next month's NFL draft.

"We're here to help them any way we can," McMackin said.

That article includes stats of yesterday's participants.

Tsai talks to some of them.

Wideout Jovonte Taylor had the fastest time in the 40-yard dash (4.34 seconds). Most remarkable, he ran it with a tight left hamstring.

"It could be that I didn't drink enough water," Taylor said. "That could have had a lot to do with it."

For running back Nate Ilaoa, the most difficult part about staging a comeback was receiving permission from his wife.

"That was tough," he said, laughing. "But I'm trying to do this for both of us, and the kid."

Jason Kaneshiro has a wrap-up as well.

Running back Leon Wright-Jackson and offensive lineman Aaron Kia also had solid days. Wright-Jackson ran the 40 in 4.56 seconds and covered 9-11 in the broad jump.

UPDATE: DraftInsider.net has a report.

Hawaii’s pro-day was highlighted by a prospect waiting for the NCAA to decide his future.

Linebacker Brashton Satele impressed scouts with his athleticism from the very beginning of the workout today. He weighed 243 pounds then ran his 40 in a time of 4.59 seconds, short shuttle in 4.08 seconds and posted a three cone time of 6.82 seconds.

The NCAA is to decide by the middle of April whether or not they will grant Satele a sixth year of eligibility. If his request is denied Satele will make himself available for the draft. Today he made his case to be a middle round pick.

Offensive guard Laupepa Letuli, a prospect we really like, is in the same boat.

Offensive lineman Aaron Kia also turned in an impressive performance. Kia weighed just over 280-pounds then timed as fast as 5-flat in the 40 and posted a vertical jump of 35-inches. He was fluid and moved well in drills. Teams in need of a zone blocking lineman could look to Kia late in the draft. Other numbers for Kia included 25 on the bench, 8′2” in the broad, 4.68 seconds in the short shuttle and 7.56 seconds in the three cone. The ten time of his fastest forty was 1.74 seconds. The Miami Dolphins spent a lot of time with Kia today and have shown a ton of interest in him.