By: Flint Harris

Pro Day will be very important for Jerry Franklin.

The NFL Combine gave Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, and Jake Bequette a chance to showcase their talents to all 32 NFL teams. After reviewing the results and watching the combine, I think Bequette helped himself the most. Childs did a nice job of showing he is 100% healthy both physically and in his mind. Jarius was solid, and Joe’s 40 time was a little disappointing. All that said, watching the film from the last four seasons in more valuable than the Combine, but it is March, and we need something to talk about.

Arkansas has their Pro Day on March 6th. Here are is what I am curious about:

1. How does Jerry Franklin perform?
Hog fans know Franklin has been the man in the middle of the a vastly improving Hog defense over the last four years while he led the team in tackles each of his four seasons. Franklin is big at 6’1” and 245. lbs. Franklin is going to have to run a solid 40 time to show scouts he can play fast enough in the NFL. The NFL is in fact played at a quicker speed than the SEC.

2. Will another Hog make a splash?
The four players from the NFL Combine and Franklin appear to be the most likely players to get drafted. However, what about Tramain Tomhas, Grant Cook, Jerico Nelson, and the other departing seniors? Will one of these guys, or I guy I did not list, wow the scouts in attendance next week in Fayetteville? Cook has ideal size at 6’4” and 318lbs., and you know I like Tramain Thomas. Thomas was terrific the last half of the 2011 season. If he can play at that level consistently he will get a chance to make a roster.

3. Joe or Jarius?
Will Joe or Jarius have a better pro day? The 40 yard dash times will be better than they were in Indianapolis. The Arkansas track is fast, and the one in Indianapolis is not. Jarius ran the fastest 40 this time last year. We can all agree Jarius has better hands than Joe, so that will likely translate into a better pro day for Jarius. Having said that, Joe is electric with the ball in his hands and is an all-world punt returner. I expect Jarius to have the better pro day, and Joe to be drafted higher.