Mizzou in the Pros

Mizzou Links, 3-21-14: Tigers show well at Pro Day, Wrestlers advance at Nationals

Kony Ealy and Michael Sam improve on their measurables (and Eric Waters puts up explosive numbers) at Mizzou's Pro Day, three Mizzou wrestlers advance to the national quarterfinals, and the women's basketball season comes to an end.

By Bill Connelly@SBN_BillC Mar 21, 2014, 5:19am CDT

1. Pro Day

The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Missouri Pro Day: Ealy, Sam improve on Combine performances

New York Jets and former Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was there to take in his cousin's performance (yes, Ealy and Richardson are cousins).

The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year likened Ealy to former Missouri hybrid end/linebacker Aldon Smith.

"Everything I see out of him, I see in Aldon, just not as much technique as far as pass rushing, but that comes along with time in the league," Richardson said. "His progression as an NFL player shouldn’t be too hard. The transition shouldn’t be weight on his shoulders."

The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Missouri Pro Day: Washington's toe still healing; Josey talks space travel
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Missouri Pro Day: Waters breaks out, Copeland slims down
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Missouri Pro Day: The Tangibles
KC Star: Players get their chance to shine at Missouri’s annual Pro Day

Perhaps nobody took advantage of the setting more than tight end Eric Waters (6-3, 250), who wowed the crowd — and presumably the scouts — with a 4.58 40-yard dash, 39 1/2-inch vertical and 10-2 1/2 broad jump.

"Overall, today was probably one of the better days I’ve had testing in the last four years, so I am very proud of myself and I am more than happy with where I placed myself after today," Waters said. "This is the kind of day I needed to put out there for everybody to see."

Ealy (6-4, 265) and Sam (6-2, 263) also bolstered their measurables compared to last month’s NFL Combine.

Ealy improved in the vertical and broad jumps and also dropped his 40 time from 4.92 to 4.57, which is only 0.04 seconds off the eye-popping time turned in at the NFL Combine by South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney.

The Missourian: Missouri football Pro Day notebook: Max Copeland changes positions

The physical changes are surprising, but not nearly as much as Copeland’s revelation that he is officially changing positions.

Copeland started at guard on the offensive line last season and was expected to enter the NFL draft as a lineman. But one day in late January, he had a dream in which he played fullback. He enjoyed it so much that he decided he would attempt a pro career in the offensive backfield.

"I woke up one day and thought it would be cool," Copeland said. "I just kind of thought it was time to start a new journey. I feel like there are more worlds to conquer."

The Missourian: Michael Sam draws a crowd, other players put on show
PowerMizzou: Pro Day Notebook

Receiver L'Damian Washington turned heads in that same drill. The 6-foot-4 195-pound Washington, who said his toe injury is about 90% healthy, was timed unofficially at 4.39.

"If it was 4.39, I'm disappointed. I heard 4.34, 4.2's," Washington said. "Some people would be happy with that. I always ran a 4.3, so 4.39 is like, ahhh."

Regardless of the exact time, Washington didn't hesitate when asked what the highlight of his day was: "My 40." [...]

Tailback Henry Josey also chose not to run, happy with his 4.43 in Indianapolis.

"I ran fast already," Josey said. "What do you want me to do? Get a rocket ship and try to run it down? I'm fine with what I did."

Sam
Post-Dispatch: Sam lets his workout do the talking at Mizzou pro day
KC Star: Michael Sam has better showing at Missouri’s pro day
The Missourian: Hamstring doesn't hamper Michael Sam's Pro Day
Fox Sports MW: With a good Pro Day performance, Michael Sam is a virtual lock to get drafted

First 5 minutes: Creighton 14, Missouri 2
Next 8 minutes: Missouri 20, Creighton 7
Next 7 minutes: Missouri 10, Creighton 10
Next 5 minutes: Creighton 11, Missouri 2
Next 2 minutes: Missouri 5, Creighton 0
Next 3 minutes: Creighton 12, Missouri 0
Next 5 minutes: Missouri 8, Creighton 8
Last 5 minutes: Creighton 15, Missouri 4

18 Random Minutes: Creighton 52, Missouri 8
Other 22 Minutes: Missouri 43, Creighton 25

Weird game.