by: Chris Sullivan
The University of Connecticut held its pro-day yesterday, which is a statement that in most years wouldn't mean much more than, say, "Doug ate spaghetti," but this year the school happens to be home to some of the top draft prospects.
Running back Donald Brown is almost certain to break the UConn school record as the earliest player drafted. Brown is expected to be picked somewhere between the second and fourth running back selected in this draft, and will likely be gone on the first day. Currently, Albert Fincher is the earliest UConn player taken when he was selected in the third round of the 2006 draft.
While Brown didn't do too much today (he stood on pretty much all of his Combine numbers) his workout was good and his personality seems to shine through whenever someone interviews him. The videos on this page are definitely worth watching, and one of the commentators in the first video suggests that he might wind up a Seahawk if he drops that far, which is definitely something a lot of us are calling for.
Brown was not the only one working out though. CB Darius Butler is also poised to be taken in the first two or three rounds and only improved his draft stock today by running a 4.38 40-yard dash. According to Charles Davis, Butler's speed and quick feet have pushed him into the same conversation as Malcom Jenkins and Vontae Davis. Butler has the serious advantage of being faster and having no major character flags.
Finally, UConn's standout offensive tackle William Beatty looked "quick and fluid," especially considering that he's 6'6" and 307 pounds. Beatty could be a steal in the late first round or fall to the first few picks in the second. In most years, Beatty would be taken in the top half of the first round, but due to the incredible depth at his position someone could really make out like a bandit snagging Beatty at, oh, say #37.
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