Kilgore, LeGree, Smith hopeful of NFL chances
Daniel Kilgore, Mark LeGree and D.J. Smith – the three Appalachian State players who were invited and showcased their talent for NFL personnel earlier this month in the NFL Combine at Indianapolis – went through more workouts Thursday during ASU’s first of two pro days.
Nine ASU players worked out in front of scouts for the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans. Another workout is set for next Thursday, with representatives from the Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers scheduled to attend.
Offensive lineman Kilgore and safety LeGree limited their work to position-specific drills Thursday, being satisfied with numbers they posted in Indianapolis, and linebacker Smith plans to be timed in the 40-yard dash next Thursday.
Kilgore, a 303-pound lineman who is being projected as a center and possibly guard, said that he has been working on his snapping ability, including long-snapping to increase his options, before the scheduled NFL Draft in April.
Kilgore and LeGree said their participation in the televised NFL Combine was a great experience.
“At times you had a surreal moment, because you’d see somebody walk by that you see on TV all the time,” Kilgore said.
“It was awesome to speak to multiple teams and different coaches and be brought in for formal interviews, and to just see all those star athletes you see on TV,” LeGree said. “It was tough not to be star-struck but I kept my composure and my whole mentality there was that it was a business trip.”
Both did well, by most accounts, and both felt they held their own against elite competition.
“I didn’t run as well as I wanted to in Indianapolis but it was good enough,” said Kilgore, whose average 40 time was 5.2 seconds “That’s just me being true to myself knowing I can run faster. Overall, I think my performance at the Combine was pretty good.”
“I was extremely pleased with my results,” said LeGree, who was among top performers in some categories, and was pleased with his 4.56 time in the 40. “They were pretty accurate in terms of doing what I was training for in Florida. I did really well in the position drills and that’s what I wanted to show, that I could look just as smooth and fluid as the other guys.”
Both have reason to expect to be drafted, but will most certainly wind up in an NFL team camp if they aren’t.
Asked what he’s been hearing, LeGree laughed and said: “Anywhere from the No. 1 pick to Mr. Irrelevant. So you can’t go in with expectations. I just want a chance.”
Kilgore said he is tuning out all speculation.
“If you had asked me a year ago that I would have been sitting here, I would have laughed,” Kilgore said. “I’m just happy to be here. If they call my name (draft day), so be it. I probably won’t know until that moment.”