Pair of unheralded LSU DBs shine at the Tigers pro day
One of the biggest reasons major college teams hold pro day events for aspiring NFL players is to get more exposure for lesser-known talents hoping to make a mark. At LSU’s pro day event on Wednesday, two unheralded defensive backs showed off their considerable athletic potential during the workouts.
Neither safety Jay Ward nor cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse are typically projected to be selected highly — if at all — in the 2023 NFL draft. After Wednesday’s display, the outlook and status improved for both.
Ward is the higher-rated prospect, a converted cornerback renowned for his leadership and attitude. He’s also a heck of an athlete. Ward ran the 40-yard dash in an unofficial 4.36 seconds to go with a broad jump over 11 feet and a 36-inch vertical jump. Those are some impressive tools to work with for a Day 3 prospect, one who has experience playing in the slot safety role.
LSU DB Jay Ward got out there. 11-FEET 1-INCH! 👀@JWARD_4 is one of most versatile & least talked about DB in this draft. 💤 #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/t3Tc90QDVE
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 29, 2023
Bernard-Converse really tore up the turf at the indoor training facility. From Tyler Harden’s summary at LSU Reveille,
He started the day off strong with an event-high 42-inch vertical jump. But he wasn’t done there. When it came time for the 40-yard dash, Bernard-Converse set an event-high in both of his runs; his first at 4.42 seconds, and his second at 4.4.
A transfer from Oklahoma State who spent his final season playing outside CB at LSU, Bernard-Converse offers length at 6-foot-1 and decent ball skills. With athletic testing like that, expect to at least see his name shortly after the draft as a priority free agent appealing to press-man teams.
