3 takeaways from UNC football's NFL Pro Timing Day

On Tuesday, the North Carolina football team held its annual NFL Pro Timing Day at Navy Field to watch many former Tar Heel football players lift, run the 40-yard dash and complete a number of positional drills.

UNC in the spotlight

Seventy-five scouts were in attendance for North Carolina’s pro day. In addition, SportsCenter and NFL Network had camera crews at Navy Field to document the action. Many were there for quarterback Mitch Trubisky but stayed to watch defensive tackle Naz Jones, defensive end Mikey Bart, running back T.J. Logan and others.

This follows the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where seven Tar Heels were invited and grabbed headlines.

“You heard somebody say something about a Carolina player every day of the week, every day of the combine,” receiver Bug Howard said. “We went there and showed them what we had.”

Tuesday’s pro day was the culmination of years of hard work for the players, but it was also an opportunity for the UNC football program to show off its ability to develop NFL-quality talent.

“I think guys know they are going to come to the University of North Carolina, they are going to get developed and they are going to have an opportunity to reach their dreams and goals,” Fedora said.

Hollins sits out

Former UNC wide receiver Mack Hollins was at UNC’s pro day on Tuesday, but he didn’t participate after pulling his quad at the NFL Combine. It’s another setback for Hollins, who has dealt with many throughout his football career.

“It’s like my first message to him right after that was, ‘Look, there’s nothing that’s ever been easy for you in football,’” Fedora said. “‘So what’s different now? You are going to have to fight and scratch and claw to prove yourself, just like you have your whole life.’”

“And that’s what he does best — overcoming adversity.”

He chatted up his former teammates and was a part of the group that helped Trubisky during his scripted throwing series. But he wasn’t able to participate and show off his talents in front of NFL evaluators.

Because of his deep-threat abilities as a wide receiver and versatility on special teams, Hollins has a chance to make an NFL roster. But he has to get healthy first.

“I think he’s the guy that I’m really looking forward to seeing get healthy,” Fedora said, “so that he can show what he can do.”

Hood explains decision

On Tuesday, former UNC running back Elijah Hood shared more about his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility at North Carolina and go pro. Hood had originally announced he would stay with the Tar Heels but changed his mind after additional prayers.

Hood pointed to the short shelf life of running backs and said he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to play professional football while he had it.

On Tuesday, Hood ran a 4.58-second 40-yard dash, had a 9-foot-5 broad jump and a 31.5-inch vertical jump. He’s been talking to a lot of teams and is hopeful one drafts him.

“As long as I’ve got interest, I’m a happy man,” he said. “So I’m going to just keep working, do these personal workouts. I only need one team to fall in love with me.”

@bauman_john  

sports@dailytarheel.com