LOS ANGELES — All the hard work leading up to his pro day paid off for former University of Hawaii receiver John Ursua, who impressed scouts during a series of drills and measurable events at UCLA’s campus on Tuesday.
Ursua, a Big Island product, had a 10-foot broad jump, 37-inch vertical and put up 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
According to a post by his trainer Chad Ikei, Ursua’s 20-yard shuttle was clocked at 4.08 seconds, his 3-cone “L-drill” was 6.77 seconds and his 60-yard shuttle was 11.18 seconds. All those numbers are in elite territory for wide receivers when compared to times recorded at the NFL combine.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that Ursua ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds despite still dealing with some effects of a hamstring ailment.
Ursua also ran routes and went through drills and interviews. Representatives from all 32 NFL teams attended the event.
Coming off a torn ACL that ended a stellar redshirt sophomore season — 47 catches, 667 yards and five touchdowns in just six games — Ursua led the nation as a junior with 16 touchdown receptions, was fifth in receiving yards with 1,343 and his 89 receptions were good for sixth in college football.
In all, there were eight former UH players who participated in the pro day. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who was at the pro day but limited recovering from shoulder surgery, is projected to be the ‘Bows highest pick in the mid-rounds of the draft, which will be held from April 25-27 in Nashville.
The last UH player to be taken in the draft was running back Joey Iosefa, who was picked in the 7th round in 2015 by Tampa Bay.