Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Notes from Michigan's pro day

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Devin Funchess needed to show he was faster than the pedestrian 4.70-second 40-yard dash he ran at the NFL combine last month.

So when Michigan had its pro day on Thursday, the wide receiver who is a potential first round pick in this spring’s draft chose to run it again instead of standing on his work in Indianapolis. Turns out it was a smart move, as Funchess seemed much happier with his performance leaving Schembechler Hall.

“Fast, real, real fast,” Funchess told ESPN.com about his 40 time as he walked out of Schembechler and got into his car.

The 6-foot-4, 232-pound receiver said he did not know his exact time, but Jim Kielbaso, one of Funchess’ trainers, tweeted that unofficially “several scouts had Funchess under 4.5 on his 40.” Michigan later tweeted Funchess ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash.

Funchess declined to say more about his pro day other than he was pleased with his performance. Michigan did not make its pro day open to the media and said no players would be officially available to talk after the pro day had concluded.

The only real-time information the school provided was a handful of pictures on the team’s Twitter feed, although it is possible there could be more information released later Thursday.

Here are some other notes gleaned from talking with people outside Schembechler Hall as they departed pro day.

  • Linebacker Jake Ryan, who along with Funchess and Frank Clark were the only Michigan players invited to the combine, told ESPN.com he chose to stand on his combine numbers. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Ryan, who measured out with 9 3/8-inch hands and 31-inch arms, ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. He also put up 20 reps on the bench press, had an 11.65-second 60-yard shuttle, a 34.5-inch vertical jump and a 120-inch broad jump. He just did linebacker drills and projects as a mid-round pick. “Went well,” Ryan told ESPN.com. “Had a good day. Felt I did good in drills.”When asked about possible pre-draft visits with teams, he laughed and said “Gotta go.” Ryan is the No. 14 outside linebacker and No. 126 overall prospect according to ESPN/Scouts Inc.

  • Cornerback Raymon Taylor, who was not invited to the combine, said his biggest thing was his time in the 40-yard dash. Taylor told ESPN.com he ran a 4.37-second 40 and Michigan later tweeted he had a 4.42. “I was aiming for something lower,” Taylor said. “But I’ll take it.” Taylor is the No. 46 corner on the ESPN/Scouts Inc. rankings.

  • Quarterback-turned-receiver Devin Gardner said he didn’t know his 40-yard dash time but was happy with his  performance, especially after not being invited to the combine last month. … Michigan officials did not respond to a text message Thursday morning asking if Clark, who was thrown off the team after an arrest and allegations of domestic violence in November, was attending pro day. He tweeted earlier he had a pro day on Thursday. … Michigan’s Twitter feed said Delonte Hollowell ran a 4.34-second 40. … Scouts from Detroit, New England, Cleveland, Green Bay, Minnesota and Washington were ones I saw leaving Schembechler on Thursday.

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