USC’s Drake London tries to silence his NFL draft doubters after injury

His inventory was hovering, his future stardom seemingly assured, when final October a defender rolled over Drake London’s proper ankle as he fell into the top zone. Abruptly, every little thing was in doubt.

However almost six months later, with the NFL draft looming, only some of these questions linger, the most pertinent of which the receiver got down to reply Friday.

A sideline of scouts, coaches and executives from 12 NFL groups watched intently from the follow subject at USC as London ran routes, caught passes and showcased footwork Friday. Many available represented groups with picks within the high half of the primary spherical, the place many have pegged the USC receiver to be chosen.

Most of these groups most likely would’ve most well-liked to see extra, however London selected to not run a 40-yard sprint or participate in some other pace testing, avoiding the danger that comes with operating this late within the course of.

“You recognize, all people has six, eight weeks, a pair months to essentially prepare for that, whether or not it’s broad soar, vertical, all of that,” London stated. “I used to be simply making an attempt to get again operating on the finish of the day. The tape is on the market. You’ve seen it.”

What nobody had seen till Friday was London reduce on that surgically repaired proper ankle. He was nonetheless recovering throughout the NFL Scouting Mix in February. He missed USC’s Professional Day final month and needed to delay his personal by 10 days due to a gentle hamstring pressure.

However London was entrance and heart Friday. Cones for footwork drills had been arrange straight in entrance of the sideline, and London had no hassle deftly chopping between them, chopping his ft violently, pushing off his ankle with out downside. The footwork drills lasted simply a couple of minutes, however nonetheless appeared sufficient to place any remaining doubters comfortable.

“I used to be simply making an attempt to finish the exercise,” London stated, “making an attempt to showcase that I’m again to the place I used to be at, if not even higher.”

Many puzzled whether or not that will be attainable in late October, when he lay crumpled on the Coliseum turf with tears in his eyes. Within the following weeks, he may barely stroll, not to mention reduce on a dime. He hobbled for some time on crutches and wore a boot after surgical procedure. It wasn’t till every week earlier than the Mix that London lastly may jog on a treadmill.

Prognosticators have picked aside his profile within the meantime. Most of their questions have centered on London’s pace and skill to separate from NFL defensive backs.

London shrugged away these ideas Friday. So did T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the previous Professional Bowl receiver who has been coaching London in latest months. Had he run a 40-yard sprint Friday, Houshmandzadeh stated he believes London would have landed someplace between a excessive 4.4 and a 4.53.

“You don’t see guys together with his dimension transfer the best way that he strikes,” Houshmandzadeh stated. “He strikes like a little bit man, however he’s a giant man. That’s uncommon.”

It’s that distinctive skillset that might ship London hovering into the highest 10, maybe even as the highest receiver drafted. Assuaging issues about his ankle ought to assist that standing.

He’ll get the possibility to reply these different questions in due time however together with his ankle healed and his Professional Day now behind him, there’s little question what comes subsequent.

“I imply, I’ve been dreaming about this ever since I used to be a little bit child,” London stated. “After they let you know one thing to jot down, what do you need to be if you’re older? It wasn’t a superhero, it wasn’t a rubbish man or a fireman or something like that. It was NFL or NBA. I needed to be within the league.

“So the dream is going on and I simply can’t look ahead to it.”