With guys like LaRon Byrd, Travis Benjamin, and Aldarius Johnson, three of the most dynamic talent-wise receivers in the country, it could have been easy for Leonard Hankerson to battle along side of them. But after a tremendously impressive senior season where he was the clear cut number one option on that offense, Hankerson has now become fringe #1 receiver to potential first round draft prospect.
I got a chance to talk with Leonard about his college career, Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, Pro Day, and other experiences he’s had over his career.
Check out the fill interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mif8sZ9WKX8
As mentioned before, it wasn’t going to be easy for Leonard to emerge as a top tier NFL Draft prospect. He credits his successes in his senior season to his work ethic, and the other great players around him.
“I just put in the extra work. Caught 300-400 balls a day. Put in the work before practice, after practice, in the weight room, in the film room, all to make myself get better.[Demarcus Van Dyke, Brandon Harris, Ryan Hill] all are great cornerbacks who came to work every day. Also, there’s a lot of great defensive backs in the ACC like the Clemson and Florida State cornerbacks. A lot of good defensive backs everywhere in the country.”
After a season that had him catch over 70 passes, 1,156 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns, Hankerson was an obvious choice to be invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl, where I got a chance to meet him and see first hand that he deserved to be our #3 ranked receiver in the draft class.
“It was a fun to go out with all the talent there. I just went out and tried to keep making plays like I always have.”
And Hankerson did just that. Almost without argument, Hankerson was the best receiver on the field all week during practices, catching everything around him, gaining separation consistently, and showing good technique, football, and coordination. The next step was to answer a lingering question about his game: his speed. He got his chance at the NFL Combine.
“I though workouts went well. I’ll be honest, right after the season I started working on my 40 time. I put in a whole lot of work in everywhere, but I was really focused on the 40.”
Hankerson finished with 40 times ranging from 4.40 to 4.46 officially, under the 4.5 threshold he was trying to reach. That possibly had huge implications on where he went in the draft, as now the middle first round isn’t out of the question. Still, he had one more test before he had a chance to relax before the draft: the Miami Pro Day.
“Oh, the Pro Day is very important. It’s my last chance to perform for NFL teams. I went out there and tried to prove that I can help a team right away.”
Since the Pro Day, the Chiefs (projected to take Leonard in our Mock Draft for a while now) are scheduled to work him out so they can get a better look at the receiver.
But even though the draft is approaching and his dreams of playing in the NFL are becoming realized, Leonard is staying focused on two things: staying in shape, and unfortunately, where the league is headed.
“I keep working in the weight room, catching 100-200 balls a day, keep running routes. I know there’s no telling when the Lockout will be over. [When it is] I need to go out and do what i have to do when my name is called.”
Leonard will hear his name called on draft day, that is for certain, it’s now a matter of how high and to whom. And if your team is lucky enough to snatch him up in the early 20s, just know that you’ll be getting a reliable, focused, consistent receiver for years to come.
Best of luck to Leonard on the rest of his draft process.
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