National Football League

Ray, Golden try to impress NFL scouts at Mizzou Pro Day

Published Mar. 19, 2015 6:02 p.m. ET

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COLUMBIA -- Shane Ray's father, Wendell, shouted at his son the word that could have been the theme for the Tigers' highly talented defensive ends at Mizzou's Pro Day in Columbia on Thursday.

"Versatility! Versatility! Let's see it!"

Everyone knows Ray and his teammate, Markus Golden, can rush the quarterback, thanks to a combined 24 1/2 sacks last season, including a school-record 14 1/2 for Ray. Now NFL teams want to know if the two Tigers have the size, speed and athleticism to thrive in multiple roles at the next level.

Of course, both are confident they can stand up and play outside linebacker in a 3-4 system if necessary, which would require the ability to drop back and defend the pass. They didn't do anything to suggest otherwise while running through a gauntlet of drills Thursday with representatives from all 32 pro teams in attendance.

Nearly every mock draft projects Ray to go in the top 10, but a poor performance in Columbia could have hurt him after he missed most of the NFL Scouting Combine workouts with a toe injury. He says he felt about 90-95 percent, and it didn't affect him during a busy day that featured a 40-yard dash he says was clocked at 4.5 seconds.

"I think the biggest thing for me was to be able to show my ability to move in coverage and in space," Ray said. "I think I was able to definitely show I could do that today."

The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year responded to his father's encouragement by cleanly catching a pass while running forward in a linebacker drill and appeared to have his usual burst on multiple agility runs. Ray checked in at 6-foot-2, 249 pounds, which he says is about 15 pounds heavier than when he started training.

Golden has always kept his weight a bit higher and came in at 6-2, 256 pounds, but his 17 bench press reps at 225 pounds won't compare favorably with other defensive end and linebacker prospects. (Ray didn't lift.) However, Golden may have boosted his stock by running a 4.6 40, 0.3 seconds faster than his time at the Combine.

Lookin' good! Check out our gallery of SEC football cheerleaders.

Most draft projections put Golden in the second or third round, but he doesn't really seem to care so long as he gets a chance to prove himself on Sundays. He says most teams want to see him at outside linebacker, and Golden is quick to point out that was the only position he played on defense before Mizzou moved him to defensive end as a junior out of Hutchinson Community College.

"I was able to do that and wherever my coach is, whoever my coach is, he'll teach me how to play linebacker (and) I'll be able to do that," Golden says. "That's just who I am. Whatever you want me to do, I'm going to get out there and do it 100 percent."

He's comfortable at either spot, and the Tigers would in rare occasions drop Golden back into coverage. Teams love the obvious passion he has for the game, and it should help him adapt quickly to a new system.

Ray's motor and determination to make plays should be a strength for him as well, and he's hoping it will separate him in a talented class of pass rushers. He says the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers all spoke to him Wednesday, and he's expecting to talk to many more teams over the next month.

"I have complete faith in my ability and my film and what I was able to do today," Ray says. "I think when teams are deciding on what they want in a guy, I think I fit those checks and I'm just going to be patient and continue to work and get ready for the draft."

If he and Golden stay the course, their approach should lead to a considerable reward.

You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter at @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.

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