Michael Buchanan, Terry Hawthorne, Akeem Spence, Hugh Thornton and NFL Draft preparation

Dan · Feb 7, 2013, 08:29 AM

NFL Combine: Feb 23-26, NFL Network

DE Michael Buchanan
CB Terry Hawthorne
DT Akeem Spence
OG Hugh Thornton

http://www.nfl.com/combine/participants

Groundhogday · Feb 7, 2013, 08:56 AM

It will probably be another solid year for Illinois in the draft.

ILLINISTU · Feb 7, 2013, 02:36 PM

Can see all four of those guys having success, especially Buchanan and Spence. NFL Dlines use more and more personel these days with teams using no huddle, guys get winded and defenses try to sub in fresh guys when they can. Good luck to all.

illiniwil · Feb 7, 2013, 02:38 PM

funny that this is only the second response to this post in 6 hours.

jackman404 · Feb 7, 2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illiniwil

funny that this is only the second response to this post in 6 hours.

People are at work and the football boards are usually dead on basketball game day.

I think all 4 of these guys can find success. I think Spence and Buchanan are second round picks, maybe a third rounder on Thornton, and a fourth rounder on Hawthorne.

DanvIllini · Feb 7, 2013, 03:25 PM

Thornton wont go... just a guess.

Dan · Feb 25, 2013, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Michael Buchanan ran a 4.72 unofficial 40 time in his first attempt this morning.

Mike Buchanan runs an unofficial 4.71 on 2nd attempt in the 40. Mayock: "I like his tape." Probably a 3rd-4th round pick right now.

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

GilThorpe · Feb 25, 2013, 07:48 AM

so Pocic wasnt invited or didnt go?

if he wasnt invited, its no wonder his younger brother didnt give us consideration

AHSIllini32 · Feb 25, 2013, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilThorpe

so Pocic wasnt invited or didnt go?

if he wasnt invited, its no wonder his younger brother didnt give us consideration

CUWPC · Feb 25, 2013, 08:45 AM

Spence 37 bench reps, which is 3rd most for DL.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/tracker

Dan · Feb 25, 2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilThorpe

so Pocic wasnt invited or didnt go?

if he wasnt invited, its no wonder his younger brother didnt give us consideration

On February 7th, 2013, the NFL did not invite Graham Pocic to the NFL Combine.

-josh- · Feb 25, 2013, 08:59 AM

Terry Hawthorne goes tomorrow it looks like. Can't wait to see what kind of numbers he can put up for the scouts. He has a chance to go higher than projected if he can give a good 40 time.

GilThorpe · Feb 25, 2013, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

On February 7th, 2013, the NFL did not invite Graham Pocic to the NFL Combine.

What am I missing. Was he simply just not deemed good enough from a grading standpoint at the pro day held on campus, or does a guy like Pocic not apply , or not put his name in so he can not get drafted and simply try to be a free agent at the team of his choice?

I guess I dont know how the whole process works and why some guys maybe dont want to be at the combine. Obviously most guys want to be there, but I also know there might be a benefit to not being a super low draft pick and being able to go to the team of your choice as a FA for a tryout.

GilThorpe · Feb 25, 2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

[/B]

Graham was a pretty highly regarded player out of high school. The fact his college career didnt go quite as planned may have very well left a sour taste in the familys collective mouth.

you dont see it that way?

Illinnoying Orange · Feb 25, 2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilThorpe

so Pocic wasnt invited or didnt go?

if he wasnt invited, its no wonder his younger brother didnt give us consideration

I believe the reason the younger Pocic isnt coming here has a whole lot more to due with the fact that he had much better offers than from us.

What kid would realistically choose us over LSU?

DrewD007 · Feb 25, 2013, 10:00 AM

Well Ethan Pocic committed last summer didn't he? Way before any combine invites would be sent out.

Ander1345 · Feb 25, 2013, 11:14 AM

Kinda hurt when they asked Buchanan if he regretted staying for his senior year. I loved his answer though, particularly for a young adult.

If I was an actual scout i feel like that would move him up a lot. Talent isn't worth anything if you're not a decent human being. Maybe you last a while, but you burn through what your raw talent gets you and you end up bankrupt and unemployed looking for a comeback after your rookie guarantee money runs out.

-josh- · Feb 25, 2013, 01:08 PM

Off topic but i just saw Teo ran a 4.82 40 yard dash, that's going to kill him in this draft.

Ransom Stoddard · Feb 25, 2013, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -josh-

Off topic but i just saw Teo ran a 4.82 40 yard dash, that's going to kill him in this draft.

That's not a bad time with all that extra baggage he's carrying.

AHSIllini32 · Feb 25, 2013, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilThorpe

Graham was a pretty highly regarded player out of high school. The fact his college career didnt go quite as planned may have very well left a sour taste in the familys collective mouth.

you dont see it that way?

Not in the least bit and I'm fairly certain I'm in the majority.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinnoying Orange

I believe the reason the younger Pocic isnt coming here has a whole lot more to due with the fact that he had much better offers than from us.

What kid would realistically choose us over LSU?

Arrelious Benn and Martez Wilson for two quickly off the top of my head.

Ander1345 · Feb 25, 2013, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ransom Stoddard

That's not a bad time with all that extra baggage he's carrying.

I imagine he will also have a rough time with play fakes.

GilThorpe · Feb 25, 2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

Not in the least bit and I'm fairly certain I'm in the majority.

you think , or do you have inside info, that Graham Pocic is overall pleased with how things went for him at UI?

KJKobs · Feb 25, 2013, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilThorpe

you think , or do you have inside info, that Graham Pocic is overall pleased with how things went for him at UI?

I had the opportunity to talk to Graham's mom at many tailgates over his 4 year career and I never once got the feeling that he or his family were disappointed with his college choice.

Were they disapointed with the Win-Loss record? I'm sure they would have liked 4 successful bowl seasons but there was often never a more noticeable parent cheering for her son at the game than Kim Pocic.

Wokker · Feb 25, 2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ander1345

I imagine he will also have a rough time with play fakes.

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

scubadunk · Feb 25, 2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinnoying Orange

I believe the reason the younger Pocic isnt coming here has a whole lot more to due with the fact that he had much better offers than from us.

What kid would realistically choose us over LSU?

Corey Luigit

Feb 7, 2013, 08:29 AM	#1
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 26,033	NFL Combine: Feb 23-26, NFL Network DE Michael Buchanan CB Terry Hawthorne DT Akeem Spence OG Hugh Thornton http://www.nfl.com/combine/participants Last edited by Dan; Feb 7, 2013 at 08:33 AM.

Feb 7, 2013, 08:56 AM	#2
Groundhogday Posts: 18,211	It will probably be another solid year for Illinois in the draft. __________________ ONLY ORANGE!

Feb 7, 2013, 02:36 PM	#3
ILLINISTU Location: Marshall, IL Posts: 444	Can see all four of those guys having success, especially Buchanan and Spence. NFL Dlines use more and more personel these days with teams using no huddle, guys get winded and defenses try to sub in fresh guys when they can. Good luck to all. __________________ Everyone is stupid but me. Homer J. Simpson

Feb 25, 2013, 08:59 AM	#12
-josh- Danger Zone! Location: The paign born and raised Posts: 3,205	Terry Hawthorne goes tomorrow it looks like. Can't wait to see what kind of numbers he can put up for the scouts. He has a chance to go higher than projected if he can give a good 40 time. __________________ virtus junxit mors non separabit

Feb 25, 2013, 10:00 AM	#16
DrewD007 Location: Swansea, IL Posts: 3,564	Well Ethan Pocic committed last summer didn't he? Way before any combine invites would be sent out. __________________ Follow me! http://www.twitter.com/illinidrew11

Feb 7, 2013, 02:38 PM	#4
illiniwil Posts: 51	funny that this is only the second response to this post in 6 hours.

Feb 7, 2013, 03:25 PM	#6
DanvIllini Super Lurker Location: Danville, IL Posts: 353	Thornton wont go... just a guess.

Feb 25, 2013, 07:48 AM	#8
GilThorpe Location: Hinsdale Posts: 878	so Pocic wasnt invited or didnt go? if he wasnt invited, its no wonder his younger brother didnt give us consideration

Feb 25, 2013, 08:45 AM	#10
CUWPC Posts: 144	Spence 37 bench reps, which is 3rd most for DL. http://www.nfl.com/combine/tracker

Feb 25, 2013, 11:14 AM	#17
Ander1345 Posts: 293	Kinda hurt when they asked Buchanan if he regretted staying for his senior year. I loved his answer though, particularly for a young adult. If I was an actual scout i feel like that would move him up a lot. Talent isn't worth anything if you're not a decent human being. Maybe you last a while, but you burn through what your raw talent gets you and you end up bankrupt and unemployed looking for a comeback after your rookie guarantee money runs out.

Feb 25, 2013, 01:08 PM	#18
-josh- Danger Zone! Location: The paign born and raised Posts: 3,205	Off topic but i just saw Teo ran a 4.82 40 yard dash, that's going to kill him in this draft. __________________ virtus junxit mors non separabit