C.I. ran the 40-yard dash on Wednesday to prove his health, according to his Miami-based sports agent.
GAINESVILLE -- Sports agent Drew Rosenhaus wants to make one thing perfectly clear: Tight end Cornelius Ingram is healthy and he's not afraid to prove it.
Rosenhaus, who represents Ingram, said on Wednesday that his client ran the 40-yard dash during the Gators' pro day to demonstrate the confidence both Rosenhaus and Ingram have in Ingram's surgically repaired knee.
[PICTURED, C.I.'s knee is fine, says his agent.]
Of the former Florida Gators who participated in the NFL Combine (Ingram, Louis Murphy, Percy Harvin and Jason Watkins), Ingram was the only player who ran the 40 on Wednesday. More than 50 credentialed NFL scouts and coaches were at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Wednesday morning for the Gators' pro day.
The NFL Draft is on April 25th and perception is key for many players hoping to improve their draft stock. Ingram, who missed his senior year due to a torn anterior-cruciate ligament, is certainly one of those players. He ran a 4.68 in the 40 at the NFL Combine and, according to Rosenhaus, Ingram ran in the "mid 4.5 range" on Wednesday. Ingram, a 6-4 tight end, weighs 245 pounds.
"His knee injury is behind him," Rosenhaus said. "We want to show his confidence and demonstrate again that his knee is in the past."
SPARANO HEADED TO GAINESVILLE
According to Adam VanRees, the sports agent representing former Gators receiver Louis Murphy, Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano and Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning will hold a private workout with Murphy, Ingram and Harvin on March 28th.
The Dolphins are believed to be in the market for a large receiver and Murphy certainly fits that mold. The 6-3, 205-pound receiver ran a 4.43 in the 40 during the NFL Combine.
"I think Louis fits in great with the Dolphins and the Bucs," said VanRees, who is based out of Tampa.
HARVIN STAYING IN GAINESVILLE
Harvin said on Wednesday that he is staying in Gainesville to work out with Gators strength coach Mickey Marotti until the NFL Draft. Harvin's mother, Linda, now lives in the Gainesville area and Harvin plans on watching the NFL Draft at her house. Harvin will work out for the New York Giants on Thursday and said he also has private workouts set up with the Dolphins, Jets, Vikings, Bucs and Ravens.
Harvin stretched and jogged on Wednesday morning as if he was preparing to run the 40 but then decided against it. He said that the NFL scouts in attendance told him his 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine was proof enough of his ability. Harvin unofficially ran in the 4.3s at the NFL Combine.
Harvin, who injured his ankle against Florida State and then reinjured it in the national championship game, focused his efforts on the route-running portion of Wednesday's pro day and came away pleased with his effort.
"A lot of coaches wanted to see how I come out of my breaks," Harvin said. "I think I cleared up a couple of questions."
-jo-
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