COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 17 Akron at Tennessee — Photo by Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Zips had a dozen prospects work out in front of pro scouts in mid-March in the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Akron Zips held their Pro Day on March 20, but details were scarce regarding where it was held, how many scouts showed up and if there were any standout performances. What we do know is 12 former Zips worked out during the Pro Day, and that nine of them were able to post numbers and work out in front of scouts.

For our reports, we’ve pulled raw numbers from Draft Scout and RAS.football to assemble the RAS cards, which are used with express written permission of RAS’ creator Kent Lee Platte.

HB Drake Anderson

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 30 Buffalo at Akron

Elevator Pitch:

Anderson was a graduate transfer from Arizona who was part of an aggressive reboot of the running back room in 2023. Anderson finished with 40 carries for 181 yards and a touchdown on the ground, with 17 catches for 93 yards and a receiving touchdown. At Arizona, he led the team in 2022 with 87 carries and 410 yards as the starting running back in 2021.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: five-foot-nine
Weight: 200 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score:

Did not qualify due to lack of information

LB Bubba Arslanian

Elevator Pitch:

If you thought of Akron football any time in the last six seasons, you probably thought of #27 in the center of the defense. Arslanian was a team leader and captain through three different coaching staffs and was productive over five seasons of play, finishing his career with 385 tackles, 22 tackles-for-loss and six sacks. His graduate senior season in 2022 was his best, with 135 tackles, 10 TFLs and an interception over 12 games, earning first-team all-MAC honors. Arslanian also finished 2020 with a second-team all-MAC selection while averaging 12 tackles per contest. He did not play in 2023, declaring for the NFL Draft during fall camps.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: five-foot-nine
Weight: 220 lbs.
Arms: 28 and one-half inches
Hands: nine inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

40-yard dash: 4.75 seconds
10-yard split: 1.62 seconds
20-yard split: 2.72 seconds
Shuttle: 4.4 seconds
Three-cone drill: 6.89 seconds
Vertical jump: 34.5 inches
Broad jump: nine feet, seven inches
Bench: 27 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Sie Doe (2017)
Elcee Refuge (2017)
Casey Chin (2014)

TE TJ Banks

Elevator Pitch:

TJ Banks transferred in from West Virginia as part of Joe Moorhead’s first portal class at Akron, and played in two seasons as a starting contributor for the Zips. Banks played in 22 games for Akron, primarily as a blocker, hauling in 40 passes for 325 yards and a touchdown.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot-four
Weight: 245 lbs.
Arms: 33 and one-half inches
Hands: 9 and five-eighths inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

40-yard dash: 5.31 seconds
10-yard split: 1.84 seconds
20-yard split: 2.97 seconds
Shuttle: 4.89 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.49 seconds
Vertical jump: 29.5 inches
Broad jump: eight feet, five inches
Bench: 13 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Chris Welch (1992)
Nate Jenson (2019)
Devin Pike (2018)

DT Tyler Carter

University of Akron Athletics

Elevator Pitch:

Depth defensive lineman who kicked back and forth between Akron and Fullerton College. Did not record stats as a Zip.

Draft Projections:

Currently unavailable

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot
Weight: 305 lbs.
Arms: 30 and one-eighths inches
Hands: eight and one-eighths inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

40-yard dash: 5.77 seconds
10-yard split: 1.96 seconds
20-yard split: 3.22 seconds
Shuttle: 5.22 seconds
Three-cone drill: 9 seconds
Vertical jump: 22 inches
Broad jump: N/A (choice)
Bench: 17 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Trevaughan James (2019)
Cameron Coleman (2023)

OL Ben Frank

University of Akron Athletics

Elevator Pitch:

A transfer from Division III Hobart College, Frank saw action in 11 of Akron’s 12 games in 2023. While at Hobart, Frank started in all 23 games he played, getting tabbed as an all-conference linemen as a junior in 2021.

Draft Projections:

Currently unavailable

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot-four
Weight: 310 lbs.
Arms: 32 and five-eighth inches
Hands: 10 and three-eighths inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

40-yard dash: 5.62 seconds
10-yard split: 1.89 seconds
20-yard split: 3.19 seconds
Shuttle: 4.98 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.89 seconds
Vertical jump: 25 inches
Broad jump: eight feet, seven inches
Bench: 22 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Dariusz Bladek (2017)
Reggie Green (1996)

WR Daniel George

Elevator Pitch:

George, a former Penn State Nittany Lion, transferred in to Akron shortly after Joe Moorhead’s hire and earned a starting role right away as a possession outside receiver. Despite Akron’s struggles on the offensive side of the ball, George was a reliable target, hauling in 119 receptions for 1,322 yards and three touchdowns in his two seasons as a Zip. Prior to Akron, he appeared in 36 games over four years at Penn State as a depth receiver and special teamer.

Draft Projections:

Currently unavailable

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot-one
Weight: 209 lbs.
Arms: 32 inches
Hands: 10 and one-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
10-yard split: 1.69 seconds
20-yard split: 2.66 seconds
Shuttle: 4.29 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.01 seconds
Vertical jump: 35 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, seven inches

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Joe Massaquoi (2017)
Armonty Bryant (2013)
Kenny Mixon (1998)

QB DJ Irons

Elevator Pitch:

A true dual-threat quarterback in both senses, Irons was a promising but oft-injured prospect for the Zips. After transferring in from Iowa Western CC, Irons took over the starting role late in the 2021 season and finished with 10 total touchdowns (eight passing, two rushing) in eight appearances— including a 13-of-13 for 129 yards and a passing score vs. Auburn. 2022 was his best season as a starter, earning third-team all-MAC honors after throwing for 2,609 yards and 10 touchdowns on 65 percent completion and rushing for 314 yards and four touchdowns over 10 starts. 2023 would see Irons’ season end five games in.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot-three
Weight: 202 lbs.
Arms: 31 and three-eighths inches
Hands: 9 and one-half inches

Relative Athletic Score:

Did not qualify due to knee injury

DT Terray Jones

University of Akron Athletics

Elevator Pitch:

Jones was a leading contributor along the defensive line for the Zips in 2023, finishing his lone season at Akron with 43 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks and a blocked kick. Prior to Akron, Jones was a two-time all-conference selection at Tennessee State, compiling 89 total tackles, 16 TFLs and 8.5 sacks.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot
Weight: 302 lbs.
Arms: 32 and one-quarter inches
Hands: nine and one-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

40-yard dash: 5.15 seconds
10-yard split: 1.83 seconds
20-yard split: 2.91 seconds
Shuttle: 4.99 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.85 seconds
Vertical jump: 37 inches
Broad jump: eight feet, six inches
Bench: 22 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Woo Scott Jr. (2022)
Cleon Aloese (2018)

RB Lorenzo Lingard

Elevator Pitch:

Lingard is a former five-star caliber prospect who was unable to latch on at Florida due to depth and injury. Part of an aggressive re-structuring of the RB room in 2023, Lingard was expected to be a workhorse back for the Zips. Lingard showed flashes of what made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of high school, with 1,000+ combined yards (641 rushing, 368 yards receiving) and six total touchdowns (four rushing, two receiving) during the 2023 campaign.

Draft Projections:

Not available; potential UDFA

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot
Weight: 202 lbs.
Arms: 30 and seven-eighths inches
Hands: 9 inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

40-yard dash: 4.47 seconds
10-yard split: 1.65 seconds
20-yard split: 2.66 seconds
Shuttle: 4.59 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.38 seconds
Vertical jump: 35.5 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet
Bench: 16 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Glen Coffee (2009)
Delvon Flowers (2002)
Storm Johnson (2014)

SAF Judson Tallandier

Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Cam Camper (6) makes a catch...

Elevator Pitch:

Tallandier transferred to Akron from Pittsburgh, where he was a key reserve and special teamer in order to have a chance at a starting role for the 2023 campaign. Tallandier did indeed see the field, earning the starting strong safety role and finishing as the team’s ninth-leading tackler with 40 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and five pass breakups.

Draft Projections:

Currently unavailable

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot-one
Weight: 188 lbs.
Arms: 32 and three-eighths inches
Hands: eight and one-quarter inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

40-yard dash: 4.70 seconds
10-yard split: 1.63 seconds
20-yard split: 2.75 seconds
Shuttle: 4.34 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.01 seconds
Vertical jump: 31.5 inches
Broad jump: nine feet, eight inches
Bench: 14 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Ron Carpenter (1993)
Lucas Ryder (2019)
Johnathan Edwards (2022)

SAF Nate Thompson

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 10 Akron at Michigan State

Elevator Pitch:

Thompson was another early transfer to Akron under Joe Moorhead, arriving to the Rubber City from Duke. After winning the free safety job, Thompson would hold the spot down for both of his seasons in blue and gold, finishing with 111 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack. 2022 saw Thompson collect 73 tackles, the most of his career.

Draft Projections:

Currently unavailable

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot-two
Weight: 210 lbs.
Arms: 32 and three-eighth inches
Hands: nine and three-eighths inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

40-yard dash: 4.75 seconds
10-yard split: 1.68 seconds
20-yard split: 2.78 seconds
Shuttle: 4.41 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.2 seconds
Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
Broad jump: nine feet, nine inches
Bench: 13 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Darian Thompson (2016)
Dashon Goldson (2007)
Franky Thomas (1988)

QB Jeff Undercuffler Jr.

Elevator Pitch:

Undercuffler arrived at Akron after a four-year career at UAlbany, where he set single-season passing records for the Great Danes in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns. Undercuffler was the Zips’ spot starter, relieving DJ Irons during his bouts of injury. A cult favorite in Akron and MAC circles for his enthusiasm and gamesmanship, Undercuffler finished his Zips career going 208-of-344 passing for 2,169 yards, nine touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 17 appearances.

Draft Projections:

Currently unavailable

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

Height: six-foot-four
Weight: 232 lbs.
Arms: 31 and three-quarter inches
Hands: nine and one-eighths inches

Relative Athletic Score:

Does not qualify by choice; performed position drills only