Former Michigan State players hope pro day boosts NFL chances - MLive.com

EAST LANSING - Chris Frey doesn't get nervous for games.

But this was not a game, just a crucial job interview.

Frey was one of five former Michigan State players who worked out for NFL teams for about two hours during Michigan State's pro day on Friday afternoon at the Duffy Daugherty Building.

"I've been doing this my entire life," Frey said of playing football. "This is different."

Frey, center Brian Allen, running back Gerald Holmes, defensive end Demetrius Cooper and kicker Brett Scanlon represented Michigan State at pro day in front of personnel from at least 15 NFL teams. It was the smallest pro day group the Spartans have had in Mark Dantonio's first 11 seasons as coach and the first time they had single-digit players working out since nine in 2013. That's a product of a young team that returns 19 of 22 starters on both sides of the ball.

"Pro day (was) a little light this year with the number of players that are competing in it, but I think that's a good thing if you're coming back," Dantonio said. "We've got a lot of young players coming back but I thought our guys did a nice job out here today, was well represented by people so they'll look forward to the future."

Mark Dantonio breaks down Michigan State's spring standouts, position changes

Allen, who was Michigan State's lone invitee to the NFL combine in Indianapolis earlier this month (also a low during the Dantonio era), appears to be the program's best shot at being picked in next month's draft. The three-year starter, who has experience at center and both guard positions, let his combine testing numbers stand and simply participated in about 15 minutes of drills.

"I kind of just laid low and did drills at the end," said Allen, who was previously training in Arizona. "They saw me run and do all that stuff at the combine so there's really no purpose of doing then again."

Frey, a two-year starter at outside linebacker, finished his Michigan State career with 193 tackles and seven sacks in 52 games. He posted a vertical leap of 33 inches and 18 reps in the 225-pound bench press.

"I think I did pretty well," said Frey, who had been training in Miami. "I definitely put up some numbers that I really wanted to show to the scouts, show what I can do. I was really excited about what I did today."

In 39 career games, Holmes had 1,302 rushing yards on 295 carries with 14 touchdowns to go with 29 catches for 220 yards and one score. He posted a 35-inch vertical, 17 reps in the bench press and a broad jump of 10-foot-8. The last number would have tied for second among all running backs at the NFL combine.

"Overall, I felt pretty good, I felt solid," said Holmes, who was previously training in Miami. "I'm just ready to go out there and ball. I just pray and I grind to make sure and see that football is still in my future and I'm looking forward to whatever is next."

Cooper finished his Michigan State career with 84 tackles and 11 sacks in 51 games. He posted a vertical leap of 28 1/2 inches, broad jump of 9-6 and bench press of just 10 reps - three fewer than Scanlon, who handled kickoffs last season.

"To evaluate the whole day, I feel like I had a pretty average day," said Cooper, who had also been training in Miami. "I feel like I could have done a lot better."

The majority of Michigan State's current players watched their five former teammates work out for scouts inside the Duffy Daugherty Building before their eighth practice of the spring. Dantonio touted the 28 draft picks during his tenure, as well as free agent signees, as proof the program can produce talent for the next level. He also pointed out all five pro day participants left Michigan State with a degree.

"There's a path to the NFL from here and that's what's exciting for all these guys," Dantonio said. "They've seen guys run this before and do these type of things, so it will be their time."

Michigan State has had at least one player picked since the common NFL draft began in 1967, joining Michigan, Nebraska, USC and Florida as the only schools who have done so. That streak is now in jeopardy, but Dantonio thinks it will be extended.

"I just take it one year at a time," Dantonio said. "I think we'll have a guy drafted but that's up to other people. I can't control that."

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