Butchie Wallace impressive in second workout
HUNTINGTON -- Last spring, Chris Crocker sprinted, leapt and interviewed his way into a third round National Football League draft selection.
Following a stellar Marshall career, Crocker was considered a late round prospect, an almost certain second day pick. Parlaying excellent tryouts and sit-down sessions with NFL scouts, Crocker elevated his status to a top 100 pick.
Crocker was selected 84th overall with the Cleveland Browns’ third round selection. It appears Butchie Wallace could be making a similar push this spring.
For the second time this month, the former Thundering Herd running back put on an impressive display at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. He clocked outstanding shuttle times on Wednesday, but saved his best for the weight room.
With scouts from the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens looking on, the 6-foot, 215-pound Wallace bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times. It was the top performance among former Thundering Herd players.
Combined with the 4.31 and 4.45 times Wallace clocked in the 40-yard dash during Marshall’s March 11 pro day, he has gone a long way toward securing a professional football future.
"I think after the season, people didn’t expect me to even get drafted," Wallace said. "Now with the times I’ve put up they can see what kind of athlete I am with their own eyes. I’m trying to prove that pound for pound I’m the strongest running back in the nation."
Wallace also improved his vertical leap by three inches from the previous workout with a best jump of 39.5 inches.
Wallace’s senior season was interrupted by a broken hand, but he has since recovered. He caught several downfield passes with his hands outstretched, instead of into his body, to prove the point.
Once considered a near-certain free agent signee, Wallace hopes to earn a spot in the April NFL draft.
"Chris Crocker really improved his status last year," Wallace said. "Chris is a great guy and that’s what I’m trying to do this year."
MCPEEK ON THE MEND: Nate McPeek attended Wednesday’s scouting session, but did not participate. The 6-4, 310-pound offensive lineman is recovering from a foot injury.
In the March 11 pro day, McPeek bench-pressed 225 pounds 34 times. Because of his limited workouts, McPeek’s draft stock has dropped, possibly to free agent status.
He’ll spend the remaining time prior to the draft interviewing and sharing film with various teams. In the meantime, McPeek is student teaching at Ashland High School.
WATTS WORKS OUT: Wide receiver Darius Watts did not participate in the 40-yard dash, but clocked impressive shuttle times. The Mid-American Conference’s all-time leading receiver has a personal tryout with the Atlanta Falcons scheduled for April 5.
NOTES: Ten players -- Watts, Wallace, receivers Jason Schroeder and Curtis Jones, offensive linemen Luke Salmons and Joey Stepp, defensive tackle Toriano Brown, tight end Jason Rader, safety Gladstone Coke and linebacker Charlie Tynes -- participated in Wednesday’s workout.
Salmons logged the second-best bench press performance after Wallace, lifting 225 pounds 32 times.
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