SEATTLE — Although the most highly-anticipated prospect reportedly is not expected to participate, the National Football League's (NFL) collective eyes will be on Dempsey Indoor Center for the University of Washington's pro day workouts on Thursday.
Wide receiver Rome Odunze, widely expected to be a top-10 pick, will not participate Thursday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Wednesday citing sources. However, 19 former Husky players are expected to be part of the workouts, including quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Odunze likely would only be able to hurt his draft stock at this stage, and ESPN reported the wideout wants to let his standout combine performance speak for itself.
However, Penix and the rest of the former UW stars will have a chance to further impress what should be a huge contingent of NFL scouts descending on Seattle to evaluate the prospects.
Besides Penix, star offensive lineman Troy Fautanu wowed league pundits at the Scouting Combine with his agility and is expected to be selected somewhere in the middle of the first round. Roger Rosengarten, another of UW's award-winning offensive line in 2023, is expected to be a second-round pick.
Penix is expected to be taken somewhere in the late first or second round, depending on which quarterbacks are selected and when. Others like wideout Ja'Lynn Polk, rusher Bralen Trice, linebacker Edefuan Olofoshio and defender Zion Tupuola-Fetui are also expected to be drafted later this year.
Although there has been quite a bit of change around the football program after Kalen DeBoer's departure to Alabama, the faces of the UW program over the past few seasons will get one final chance to show out at Husky Stadium before their names get called to the NFL.
