Former Panthers display talents during annual Pro Day

By Brett Shweky/Sports Director

 

Fifteen former Panthers participated in the 2018 FIU Pro Day to showcase their talents in front of an array of National Football League scouts.

A few of the scouts in attendance included the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos and the Cleveland Browns.

Former quarterback Alex McGough, running back Alex Gardner, wide receiver Thomas Owens, linebacker Anthony Wint and linebacker Treyvon Williams were just some of the big names working out.

The players took part in a number of individual drills and workouts on the field, and in the weight room to highlight their strengths and weaknesses.

“This experience was great. For all the seniors, especially with all that we have been through with the four years,” said McGough. “Just to see these guys [the players] one last time compete against one another for the last final time was something I’ll never forget.”

McGough was a four-year starter for the Panthers and went on to become the first quarterback since Wes Carroll to take the team to a bowl game, which was back in 2011. He concluded his career as the all-time leader in program history in career passing touchdowns with 48 and as the second player all-time in career passing yards with 6,293.

In his senior campaign, he led FIU to an 8-5 record and also an appearance in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl against the Temple University Owls.

Unfortunately, for the quarterback from Tampa, FL, during the bowl game he suffered a broken collarbone, resulting in him to make an early exit in the highly anticipated game. McGough, however, said he is fully recovered and is ready to take the next step towards achieving his goal of reaching the professional level.

Most recently, McGough worked out privately with the Houston Texans, according to Aaron Wilson, a beat writer for the Houston Chronicle.

“I’m going to make sure that my board work is good,” said McGough on his plans following the Pro Day. “You know with my workouts with other individual teams. Other than that however, I just plan on staying in conditioned shaped. That’s a key for all of us, to stay in shape, so we can get ready for our name to be called or that phone to ring.”

Owens, another Panther who suffered an injury late in the year, acknowledged that it was important for him to have a strong Pro Day to show teams that he has moved on from his knee injury.

“I went out there to show that even though I suffered an injury later on in the season, that I recovered from it and also show that I can still play at a high-level,” said Owens.

Before having the injury, Owens was on track to have one of the best seasons in program history for a wide receiver. Even with only playing nine games this season, the star studded playmaker finished the year with 59 receptions for 887 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

The Boynton Beach, FL native concluded his career at FIU with 21 career receiving touchdowns, only one shy of tying former receiver Cory McKinney for second all-time. The program’s all-time leader in career receiving touchdowns is current Indianapolis Colts’ receiver T.Y. Hilton with 24.

Unlike Owens and McGough, some players such as Bryce Canady didn’t have four years to gain the necessary experience and have the opportunities to showcase their talents.

Canady first made a name for himself, when he became a walk-on for the team back in 2016. As a junior, he was limited to only three appearances.

In 2017 however, the defensive back from Jacksonville, FL started in all 13 games for the Panthers. He finished the year third on the team in total tackles and also displayed his pass coverage abilities with one interception and seven pass break ups.

“I actually felt a lot of pressure. With me being a walk-one and me only really having one year of experience, I had to come out here and show teams that I was big enough, strong enough, fast enough and skilled enough to play at the next level,” said defensive back Bryce Canady.

With Pro Day being just the beginning for a number of these former Panthers, only time will tell if any of them will create a future for themselves in the NFL.