Tulane stars showcase their talents for 30 NFL teams on Pro Day

NEW ORLEANS – Eight Tulane football players showed their skills for NFL scouts from 30 different teams at the Green Wave’s Pro Day at the New Orleans Saints Practice Facility on Tuesday afternoon.

Hoping to wow the scouts and move up draft boards, Ade Aruna (DE), Sherman Badie (RB), Aaron Golub (LS), Dontrell Hilliard (RB), Rae Juan Marbley (LB), Parry Nickerson (CB), Eldrick Washington (DT) and Sean Wilson (DT) all took part in various drills, exercises and weight lifting sessions.

“I just want to prove to those guys that I have what it takes,” Nickerson said. “I didn’t do as much at the [NFL Combine], so I wanted to come out here and put on a good performance for them. I wanted to come in here mentally and physically prepared and give a good show.”

After weights to begin the session, the Green Wave standouts ran the 40-yard dash, performed shuttle drills, ran routes and coverage drills and ran through tackling dummies. The event lasted approximately two and a half hours with scouts from all but two NFL teams in attendance.

“I didn’t know there were going to be this many scouts,” Aruna said. “It was really cool. They want to know how I can read the offense and make sure I know what I’m doing. If it’s 4-3, what am I supposed to do? What’s my alignment? They want to make sure I know all of that. There’s so much you do playing the defensive end position.”

Tulane football returns Yulman Stadium on Wednesday morning. The Green Wave’s 2018 season opens Thursday, August 30 at home against Wake Forest.

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REMAINING SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, April 4, 8:30 a.m.
Friday, April 6, 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 7, 8:30 a.m.
Monday, April 9, 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, April 11, 8:30 a.m.
Friday, April 13, 8:30 a.m.

SPRING GAME
Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Yulman Stadium

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Cornerback Parry Nickerson

What were you looking to prove today?

“I just want to prove to those guys that I have what it takes. I didn’t do as much at the combine, so I wanted to come out here and put on a good performance for them.”

How different was this from the combine?

“It wasn’t much different. It’s all a mental thing really. I wanted to come in here mentally and physically prepared and give a good show.”

Was there any pressure to show them more than you did at the combine?

“At the combine I was disappointed that I couldn’t do my DB drills. I didn’t feel any pressure. I know what I’m capable of. I just wanted to come out here and do my thing.”

How happy were you with today?

“I did everything I wanted to get done. All of those things I missed at the combine. I think I could improve a little bit more, but overall I did a great job.”

Have you met with any teams yet?

“I met with a couple of teams. My big meetings will be after today so I’ll be getting prepared for that.”

What were teams curious about with you?

“A lot of teams were blown away by my 40 results. They wanted to see more of my lateral movement in the DB drills, and I think I did well on all of those.”

Listen to the complete Nickerson interview

Defensive end Ade Aruna

You impressed at the combine. What else did you want to show people today?

“I don’t think I need to show anybody anything. I’m not like these guys who have been playing football since they were five, six years old. Sometimes that shows up in the game. They might be able to read defenses way better than me. I think that’s the only thing I need to improve on, being able to look at an offense and know what they’re about to do. Having a better understanding of an offense.”

How has football changed for you over the years?

“It’s been pretty good journey so far. It can be challenging sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

What have the teams you’ve met with wanted to know about you?

“They want to know how I can read the offense, and make sure I know what I’m doing. If it’s 4-3 what am I supposed to do? What’s my alignment? They want to make sure I know all of that. There’s so much you do playing the defensive end position.”

What’s it like seeing so many teams out here to see you guys?

“I was surprised. I didn’t know there were going to be this many scouts. It was really cool.”

Listen to the complete Aruna interview