Nine former Eagles worked out in front of scouts from the NFL and CFL hoping to continue their football careers.
On March 14, nine Eastern Michigan Eagles worked out for NFL and CFL scouts at their Pro Day. Last year, Eastern Michigan was the only MAC program to have multiple players drafted to the NFL with Sidy Sow, Jose Ramirez, and Chad Ryland all hearing their names called.
This year, the Eagles do not have any currently expected to be drafted but these nine assembled at EMU’s football facilities with hopes that that could change. Two of the participants at EMU’s Pro Days were unable to participate in workouts and did not qualify for RAS scores, but are listed on this sheet. One EMU player has both unknown numbers and health status but is listed. Aaron Jackson, a tight end who graduated in 2022, also worked out but is not listed due to his prior graduation and lack of information.
All numbers and card graphics are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte over at RAS.football, and are re-published with his express permission.
WR Tanner Knue
Elevator Pitch:
Knue was a reliable anchor receiver dating back to his ascent to the starting lineup in 2020, finishing his EMU career with 154 receptions for 1,886 yards and 17 touchdowns. His breakout campaign in 2022 (45 rec., 632 yards, nine TDs) cemented him as one of the MAC’s best receivers. Knue, a thgree-time academic all-MAC receiver, was also a two-time all-MAC selection, earning nods on the third-team in 2022 and second-team in 2023.
Draft Projections:
- UDFA
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: five-foot-10
- Weight: 179 lbs.
- Arms: 29 and one-quarter inches
- Hands: nine and one-eight inches
Skill Drills (as of Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.51 seconds
- 20-yard split: 2.63 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.16 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 7.02 seconds
- Vertical jump: 40 inches
- Broad jump: 10 feet, six inches
- Bench: 15 reps at 225 lbs.
Relative Athletic Score:
RAS Comparisons:
- Joshua Stangby (2015)
- Tyler Scott (2023)
- Cedrick Wilson (2001)
LB Chase Kline
Elevator Pitch:
Kline, a former Michigan State Spartan, swapped out shades of green to transfer to EMU in 2022, immediately making an impact in the center of the Eagles defense as a run stuffer. In two years of service, Kline collected 234 total tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, three sacks, six passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Kline was a third-team all-MAC backer after a career-best 143 tackles, with five TFLs and two sacks.
Draft Projections:
- UDFA
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: six-foot-two
- Weight: 225 lbs.
- Arms: 31 inches
- Hands: nine inches
Skill Drills (as of Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 4.85 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.58 seconds
- 20-yard split: 2.7 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.37 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 7.1 seconds
- Vertical jump: 32 and one-half inches
- Broad jump: nine feet, nine inches
- Bench: 17 reps at 225 lbs.
Relative Athletic Score:
RAS Comparisons:
- Markus Steele (2001)
- Bryan Smith (2008)
- Tommy Eichenberg (2024)
WR Hamze El-Zayat
Elevator Pitch:
El-Zayat, a former Dearborn Fordson [MI] HS Tractor, transferred to EMU to be closer to home after a five-year career at FCS Fordham in New York. El-Zayat only played in one season for the Eagles after sitting out in 2022, but did manage to haul in 27 receptions for 360 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver, as well as an additional touchdown via special teams.
Draft Projections:
- UDFA
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: five-foot-eight
- Weight: 179 lbs.
- Arms: 29 and one-half inches
- Hands: nine inches
Skill Drills (as of Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 4.57 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.59 seconds
- 20-yard split: 2.68 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.28 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 6.89 seconds
- Vertical jump: 38 inches
- Broad jump: 10 feet, one inch
- Bench: 16 reps at 225
Relative Athletic Score:
RAS Comparisons:
- DeMornay Pierson-El (2018)
- Dontez Bird (2018)
- John Ursua (2019)
RB Samson Evans
Elevator Pitch:
A former Iowa transfer, Evans was the dynamo which helped engineer EMU’s ascent under Chris Creighton. A four-year star for the Eagles, Evans was EMU’s workhorse back and also the primary option in Wildcat packages. Evans first caught eyes with his 2021 campaign, picking up a bewildering 16 total touchdowns (13 rushing and three passing) on just 343 total yards. Evans was named to the second-team all-MAC roster in 2022 after a 1,116-yard, 15 score campaign. He would finish his career in Green and Grey with 515 total carries for 2,319 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns.
Draft Projections:
- UDFA
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: six-foot
- Weight: 215 lbs.
- Arms: 31 inches
- Hands: nine and one-half inches
Skill Drills (as of Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 4.77 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.58 seconds
- 20-yard split: 2.76 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.44 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 7.06 seconds
- Vertical jump: 32 and one-half inches
- Broad jump: nine feet, seven inches
- Bench: 15 reps at 225 lbs.
Relative Athletic Score:
RAS Comparisons:
- Sean Jackson (1994)
- Alfred Jenkins (1087)
- Jahray Hayes (2017)
DL Adrian Gonzalez
Elevator Pitch:
Gonzales, a native of Leon, Mexico, was a rotational depth piece at EMU along the defensive line. The former ITESM Monterey collegiate product— who also moonlighted as an offensive lineman and kicker at Liceo Cancun HS— had a career-best season in 2023, finishing with 15 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a half-sack and a fumble recovery.
Draft Projections:
- UDFA
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: six-foot-two
- Weight: 283 lbs.
- Arms: N/A (unknown)
- Hands: N/A (unknown)
Skill Drills (as of Pro Day)
- Bench: 21 reps at 225
Relative Athletic Score:
- Did not qualify due to knee injury
OL Brian Dooley
Elevator Pitch:
Dooley was a six-year contributor for the Eagles, dating back to his tight end stint as a freshman. Dooley was moved to right tackle in 2019 and never gave the position up, finishing his career with 57 straight starts. Dooley was highly respected amongst his peers and coaches, being named a team captain midway through his tenure. Dooley would finish his final three campaigns at an all-MAC level, with two placements on the second-team (2022, 2023) and one placement on the third team (2021.)
Draft Projections:
- UDFA
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: six-foot-five
- Weight: 318 lbs.
- Arms: 34 and three-quarter inches
- Hands: nine and seven-eight inches
Skill Drills (as of Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 5.63 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.86 seconds
- 20-yard split: 3.14 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.85 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 8.12 seconds
- Vertical jump: 28 and one-half inches
- Broad jump: eight feet, seven inches
- Bench: 19 reps at 225
Relative Athletic Score:
RAS Comparisons:
- Josh Buttrill (2010)
- Jason Erdmann (2020)
- Brennan Williams (2013)
LS Steve Bird
Elevator Pitch:
Bird served as the Eagles’ long snapper form the 2020 season onwards, collecting 45 career starts at the position. Throughout his tenure, EMU was one of the best special teams units in the league, graduating several pro punters and kickers while also making 112 consecutive PATs and 45-of-54 field goals.
Draft Projections:
- UDFA
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: five-foot-nine
- Weight: 237 lbs.
- Arms: 29 inches
- Hands: nine inches
Skill Drills (as of Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 5.39 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.76 seconds
- 20-yard split: 3.01 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.95 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 7.81 seconds
- Vertical jump: 25 inches
- Broad jump: eight feet
- Bench: 19 reps at 225
Relative Athletic Score:
RAS Comparisons:
- Brian Keating (2022)
- Turner Bernard (2021)
DB Londyn Craft
Elevator Pitch:
Craft joined the Eagles in 2023 as a graduate transfer, finishing the campaign with 27 tackles and two tackles-for-loss. At Mississippi State in 2021, he played in 10 games— starting eight contests— and accumulated 56 tackles for 1.5 TFLs and a fumble recovery. Craft transferred to Kentucky after sitting out the 2021 season due to injury, but did not play after another injury setback.
Draft Projections:
- UDFA
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: six-foot-three
- Weight: 267 lbs.
- Arms: 34 and one-half inches
- Hands: nine and one-eight inches
Relative Athletic Score:
- Did not qualify due to hamstring injury
LB Joe Sparacio
Elevator Pitch:
Sparacio was the defensive captain for the Eagles, quickly earning a role as a team leader after transferring in from Boston College in 2022. Sparacio had a career year in 2023, finishing the season with 136 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles en route to a second-team all-MAC selection. Over his six-year career between both schools, he picked up 287 tackles, 22 TFLs and six sacks.
Draft Projections:
- UDFA
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: five-foot-10
- Weight: 220 lbs.
- Arms: N/A
- Hands: N/A
Relative Athletic Score:
- Did not qualify due to lack of information