While Jay Bromley and Jerome Smith entered Syracuse Pro Day looking to improve their measurables from the NFL Scouting Combine, fellow NFL Draft hopeful Marquis Spruill didn’t have that luxury.

Spruill was on the initial list of NFL Draft Combine considerations, SU Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Performance Will Hicks said, but ultimately was not one of the 335 players invited.

So on Wednesday, the former Orange linebacker gave scouts from 29 NFL teams their first look at his “raw” speed and strength.

“They liked my speed, they like my little bit of weight improvement, and they liked me as an athlete and a player,” Spruill said.

Spruill increased his weight to 231 pounds after weighing in at 224 as a senior middle linebacker. He said he was happy with all of his performances, but did not indicate specific numbers. Hicks said he ran a “very good” 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of about 34-1/2 inches.

Most interestingly, though, Spruill is being looked at as a nickel linebacker as well as an outside linebacker. His athleticism offers him multiple opportunities at the next level.

“Because of his speed and his ability to run on 3rd down, he’s got a chance to do that,” Hicks said. “He’s very versatile. He’s going to be a very good special teams player.”

Spruill said he had a tough time putting on those additional nine pounds, and even did some drill work for defensive backs after SU’s season ended.

On Wednesday, he took part in a backpedaling drill, but otherwise stuck to the linebackers’ positional drills.

Spruill said he was pleased with his overall performance. Now he’ll just continue working out in hopes of having his name called at the Draft on May 8-10.

Said Bromley: “I know Marquis because I’ve trained with him for years. He’s a freak and he showed that.”

Published on March 26, 2014 at 7:38 pm

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