College Football

Georgia Tech holds pro day, NFL execs watch player workouts

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:02 p.m. ET

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ATLANTA (AP) Adam Gotsis didn't do much Friday yet he was the headliner at Georgia Tech's pro day even though the senior defensive tackle was limited by injury in auditioning for NFL executives.

All he could do was bench press weights on Friday, four months after surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament.

But Australian understands the situation. Asked how he'd describe the business of running, lifting and doing agility drills for potential employers, Gotsis said that he tells family and friends that pro day, like last month's NFL scouting combine ''is pretty much like a meat market ...

''You see all these (executives) with their heads down, writing in notepads and you're like, `What are they looking at that I'm not seeing,''' said the second-team All-ACC selection. ''But it's part of the process.''

Despite going 3-9 last season, there were 11 players working out for 47 executives representing 29 NFL teams.

Recent Jackets Bryan Chamberlain, Jamal Golden, Errin Joe, Tyler Marcordes, Chris Milton, Patrick Skov, Demond Smith, Broderick Snoddy and D.J. White worked out for NFL scouts. They were joined by running back Synjyn Days, who last played for Tech in 2014.

Beyond Gotsis, cornerbacks White and Milton, safety Golden and linebacker Marcordes - who did some deep snapping Friday - likely have the best chances to catch on with NFL teams whether drafted next month or signed as free agents.

Milton's stock recently rose when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at an NFL-sponsored regional combine in New Orleans.

''Chris has really run some fast times . . . and during his career he blocked (seven) kicks and played field corner,'' said Tech head coach Paul Johnson. ''I think Chris is certainly a guy who is moving up in a lot of the scouts' eyes.''

Milton graduated from Charlton County High in southeast Georgia, the same school Champ Bailey attended on his way to Georgia and a long NFL career. Bailey has been working with Milton, and was present Friday.

''He's pretty much helped me in every way he could,'' Milton said. ''I was expecting to run that time again.''

Gotsis was mostly a cheerleader for teammates other than when he bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times. He's projected to go higher in next month's NFL draft that all other Yellow Jackets, though, and he showed up to offer support and engage NFL executives.

That paid off with a mid-field visit in the Brock Indoor Practice Facility with Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn.

''We talked a bit about Aussie rules (football), and rugby and he was with the Seahawks when Jessie Williams was there so he's coached an Australian before,'' Gotsis said. ''Being in Atlanta you become a Falcons fan, a Braves fan and I don't have any ties to another state so I'd be happy to be a Dirty Bird.

''Any team that takes an opportunity on me is going to get a great player and a player that's going to have longevity.''