University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Participate In Pro Timing Day
March 20, 2012 | Football
March 20, 2012
Pro Timing Day Photo GalleryChapel Hill, N.C. - North Carolina held its annual Pro Timing Day Tuesday and more than 50 NFL scouts, coaches and personnel were on hand to put Carolina's professional prospects through a variety of workouts.
Quinton Coples and Zach Brown commanded the majority of the attention, but several other Tar Heels garnered positive reviews for their performances. Coples officially measured 6-5 3/4 and weighed 278 pounds. He did not participate in the 40-yard dash and other agility drills, opting instead to let his NFL Combine numbers stand for themselves.
"I thought today went well," said Coples, who is projected by nearly every draft expert to be a first-round pick. "I was happy with what I had done at the combine and just wanted to focus on the positional drills today."
A natural defensive end, Coples went through approximately 20 minutes of defensive line drills along with tackles Tydreke Powell and Jordan Nix. Coples also participated in linebacker drills at the request of New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, who was in attendance.
"So many teams are going to a 3-4 and I just wanted to show that I was versatile and can play a lot of positions. I couldn't turn down Coach Rya, but I was planning to workout at linebacker all along."
Brown measured 6-1 1/4 and weighed 242 pounds. His 4.47 time in the 40-yard dash was the best of the day, followed closely by cornerback Charles Brown (4.51) and safety Matt Merletti (4.60).
Merletti drew the attention of several scouts who were impressed with his strength and speed. The Cleveland native posted 31 bench press reps at 225 pounds, which is more than any defensive back who has attended the NFL Combine since 2009.
Center Cam Holland, a three-year starter, had 37 bench press reps. Only two players at this year's combine did more than 37.
