FAYETTEVILLE -- Because they aren't big-time touted pro prospects, University of Arkansas fifth-year senior graduates Davyon "Sleepy" McKinney and DeMarcus Hodge weren't tempted to train exotically afar from Fayetteville for their long-shot bids to make the NFL.
By continuing to train under Razorbacks strength coach Ben Herbert, it seems they big-time improved their presence from unknown to at least a blip on NFL scouts' radar.
Hodge, a defensive tackle from Monroe, La., never started until this past season, after he slimmed down by 32 pounds with Herbert's help. McKinney, a reserve defensive back from Forrest City, returned last season after major surgery from a 2014 foot injury.
Both posted marks on Arkansas' annual pro day Wednesday that attending scouts from all 32 NFL teams surely noted.
"I think I opened a lot of eyes today," Hodge, bench pressing 225 pounds 30 times and testing well in agility drills at 6-1, 330 pounds, said. "I showed them how athletic I really am. I think I really helped my situation better than what it was."
McKinney dazzled with the fastest 40-yard dash, 4.43, and farthest standing broad jump, 10 feet, 10.5 inches, of all participating in those tests.
"There were a lot of oohhhs and ahhhs today," McKinney said.
They owe "Coach Herb" for their big day, both say.
"I attribute everything to him," Hodge said. "If it weren't for him, I don't know if I would still be trying to do this or playing football anymore. I thank him so much for what he has done for me and this school."
Given McKinney's description of the surgery required Jan. 5, 2015, it seems like a miracle that he played all 13 games in 2015 on special teams -- let alone that he can sprint instead of limp.
"It was a bone spur eruption, so they had to tear my Achilles just to get to the bone spur to saw it down," McKinney said. "It was supposed to be a year [recovery], and I came back within six months, and I was able to be on special teams and what-not, though it kept me out of major roles. Now it's completely healed."
He couldn't have proven it healed without Herbert, McKinney said.
"Body by Herb," McKinney said. "Ten weeks of hard work, as you can see. Everybody saw the hard work I put in thanks to Herb."
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, who has employed Herbert as his strength coach for three seasons at Arkansas and for seven years as the head coach at Wisconsin, says his alums auditioning for pro scouts inevitably fare better sticking with "Herbs" than training under new gurus at new locales.
"I am a testimony to that," McKinney said. "They say when you go off, it takes eight weeks for somebody else to learn your body type. I have been with Herb for three years in a row. I know he knows my body. So thank you a lot Herb."
Sports on 03/19/2016