Fournette cuts 12 pounds for Pro Day
One of the biggest question marks for Leonard Fournette coming out of the NFL Combine was his weight.
Teams were concerned that Fournette came into the event weighing 240 pounds, which was a few pounds over his listed playing weight at LSU.
Consider that question answered. Fournette weighed in at an impressive looking 228 pounds at Pro Day and participated in a few individual drills for teams in Baton Rouge.
"I didn't really do anything different. My mom has been on me a little bit about what I'm eating," Fournette said. "I just wanted to show everyone that I could lose the weight. But it really doesn't matter. I'm a player, I'm good at any weight I want to.
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"I pretty much just wanted to show my weight today. Some people had concerns about me at 240. They said at the next level it was different so I might be playing closer to 250. So I just wanted to show I could stay on course and be disciplined and get my business in order."
Fournette said he was happy with the 40 time he posted at the combine and decided not to run Wednesday to keep the number where it was.
The running back said he had visits scheduled with teams in the coming weeks in preparation for the draft and would be traveling to Philadelphia to be on-site April 27.
The draft process has been hectic for Fournette and other former LSU players, with Fournette embracing the business side of being a professional athlete, but he said it was all part of the process.
"That's my lifestyle now, I'm not going to say it's too hard, it's just something I have to do to better myself," Fournette said. "It's something I had to do for myself, my family and my career."
Dupre improves his 40 time
Former LSU receiver Malachi Dupre helped his case for the NFL Draft on Wednesday by improving his 40-yard dash time to 4.46 from 4.52 at the NFL Combine.
Dupre is considered a second-to-fourth round prospect according to most mock drafts, but could go toward the high end of that spectrum now thanks to the improved time.
The former John Curtis star said he enjoyed spending the day with his former teammates and was looking forward to the next chapter in his playing career.
"It was a pretty exciting day, kind of a closing chapter for my time at LSU with my brothers. This is the last time we'll be together for a while," Dupre said. "It was a great feeling getting that time, so I'm just glad I ran what I knew I was capable of."
Dupre said the biggest question he's getting from scouts and teams is about his lack of production at LSU.
His NFL.com draft profile says in the Bottom Line on Dupre, "Big target who has suffered from arrested development due, in part, to quarterback inconsistencies at LSU."
"I feel like the biggest question mark was the lack of production. So I just wanted to show them I could run every route and catch the ball. I'm a vertical threat with my speed," Dupre said.
Former track star turns heads
Cyril Grayson — a national champion, All-American and All-SEC performer for LSU track and field — turned heads with his performances at the Pro Day on Wednesday, earning himself an invite to Seattle to visit with the Seahawks.
Grayson turned in a 4.33 40-yard dash, the fastest 60-yard shuttle of the day at 11.69 seconds and a 34.4-inch vertical.
"The experience today was unreal. What more perfect Pro Day to come to when you have Leonard Fournette, Jamal Adams and Tre'Davious White bringing in all 32 teams," Grayson said. "I'm so appreciative of the opportunity."
Grayson was a prep football star at Rummel before joining LSU Track and Field on scholarship, but he said he's missed football during his time at LSU.
"It's always been a passion of mine. I've been training on my own and staying in shape and staying ready," Grayson said. "The plan is to get better at the craft with running routes and get smoother coming in and out of my breaks and stay fast."
