UConn Football Pro Day: One Last Chance to Impress

UConn held its Pro Day on Wednesday and while the Huskies’ two NFL Combine attendees used the opportunity to build their resume, numerous others had their best chance to get on the NFL’s radar.

Offensive lineman Andreas Knappe played in 35 games with 32 starts for UConn over his career, starting at right tackle in his junior and senior seasons. He was not invited to the Combine and outside of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, this was his big opportunity to prove what he can do.

“It’s a big day, so it’s awesome to have so many people come out,” he said.

Twenty of the 32 NFL teams came to Storrs on Wednesday. Most were likely there just for Obi Melifonwu and Noel Thomas, but that can help all of the other players participating.

“I think we’re sometimes underrated as a program,” Knappe said of the well-attended Pro Day. “Every time someone goes [to the combine] from here, they shine.”

Knappe ran an unofficial 40-yard dash of 5.16 before tweaking a hamstring and had 23 bench press reps at 225 pounds. He also had a 30-inch vertical leap.

Kicker Bobby Puyol participated as well. He did not perform any drills, as is customary for a kicker, but all of his field goal tries were good, hitting from as far as 55 yards away.

Jhavon Williams performed positional drills and ran two unofficial 4.53-second 40-yard dashes. He has potential to be a late-round or priority undrafted player given his consistency and success at cornerback for the Huskies.

Linebacker Matt Walsh ran 4.85 and 4.72 unofficial 40-yard dashes and put up 30 reps at 225 pounds, which would have been tied for eighth among Combine participants and first among linebackers.