Dawg day developments

Donald Butler

Just back from the University of Washington Pro Day, where eight draft-eligible players from last season’s team and three former Huskies worked out for NFL scouts and coaches.

The “stars” of the show were linebacker Donald Butler and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim – who could be an undersized end in a 4-3 defense or an oversized outside linebacker in a 3-4, depending on which scout you ask.

Butler and Te’o-Nesheim were the only Huskies among the 329 players invited to the scouting combine last month, and each enhanced his draft stock today.

Here are the players’ marks in the vertical leap and bench press (with 225 pounds). Sorry, no “official” times in the 40-yard dash:

Player                                                    Vertical    Bench press

LB Donald Butler                                      35½       combine

DE/OLB Daniel Te’o-Nesheim           combine    combine

LB Josh Gage                                             31½           23

FB Paul Homer                                          29              26

DE Darrion Jones                                     na               26

OG Ben Ossai                                           27½            24

LB T.J. Poe                                                32               23

FS Jason Wells                                         32               17

FS Chris Hemphill                                    31               16

DT Jovon O’Connor                                27½            20

DL Ceasar Rayford                                  34½           16

The “combine” designation means that Butler and Te’o-Nesheim stood only their marks from Indianapolis, and it definitely was understandable. Butler did 35 reps in the bench press to lead all linebackers at the combine, while Te’o-Nesheim popped a 37-inch vertical leap (fifth best among the defensive ends) and did 29 reps with 225 pounds.

Rayford played for the Huskies in 2007 and has had stints with the B.C. Lions of the CFL and Spokane Shock of the Arena League 2. O’Connor played for the Huskies in 2008. Hemphill transferred from UW to Central Washington University in 2007.