SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State consensus All-America offensive lineman David Arkin continued to impress professional football scouts on Friday (March 18) at Plaster Field as one of seven MSU players displaying their skills at the team's annual Pro Day.
Joining Arkin in a series of mental and physical skills tests were fellow Bears' seniors Cody Kirby, Kolby Hurt, Jake Duron, Justin Fuselier, Terian Washington and Antoine Wilkinson. Missouri S&T standout Chad Shockley was also in attendance.
All told, 14 National Football League teams were represented, including the Bills, Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Chiefs, Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Packers, Falcons, Saints, 49ers and Bengals.
Arkin, who ran a hand-held 5.15 in the 40-yard dash at the event, said the MSU Pro Day brings to close a busy spring of training, physical conditioning and testing in advance of the NFL Draft, April 28-30.
"The evaluations are pretty much over. Now I can breathe a little bit," said Arkin who played in the East-West Shrine Game, NFLPA Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Game and participated in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis since graduating from Missouri State in December. "It's been wild, kind of surreal. A wild ride, but a lot of fun."
Hurt, also turned heads at the Pro Day festivities, which resemble a mini NFL Combine setting. The linebacker from Boonville, Mo., ran a 4.51 40-yard dash and showed up in tremendous physical condition for his Pro Day opportunity.
Missouri State offensive line coach Sean Coughlin, who coordinates the event, said Missouri State will continue to conduct an annual Pro Day in subsequent springs to showcase the program's senior talent and NFL prospects.
In 2010, former MSU All-America tight end Clay Harbor placed an exclamation mark on his NFL Combine performance with an impressive Pro Day on his home turf at Plaster Field, resulting in a fourth-round draft selection by the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Bears and sixth-year head coach Terry Allen begin spring practice on Tuesday (March 22) with four practices each week until their Spring Game, scheduled for April 16.
