LOS ANGELES — Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was among 15 Bruins who returned Wednesday to UCLA with the intention of making a lasting impression on NFL teams ahead of the draft in April.
Representatives from 31 of the 32 NFL teams arrived at UCLA’s pro day event and were found huddled together under a tent evaluating the athletes during their respective workouts in the rain.
Thompson-Robinson believes the pro day “went well,” despite the wet conditions. The quarterback returned to UCLA over the weekend with the intention of treating the showcase like a game week.
“I came out here Saturday to work out with the guys and make sure we were going over the script for a good three days before we got out here,” Thompson-Robinson said. “It felt like a normal week of practice and being able to come out here on game day was fun.”
Thompson-Robinson and running back Zach Charbonnet were limited participants during the pro day after they recorded results for their respective speed and agility drills during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier this month.
Since the conclusion of the season, Thompson-Robinson has been working with former NFL quarterback Jordan Palmer in Orange County.
“He’s put me and my training group on to so many different things, both on and off the field, with building connections and teaching us how to play quarterback at a high level,” Thompson-Robinson said about working with Palmer.
That training group consists of four other NFL draft prospects: Kentucky’s Will Levis, TCU’s Max Duggan, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker and Houston’s Clayton Tune.
With Palmer in attendance, Thompson-Robinson threw passes to a group of NFL hopeful Bruins that featured Charbonnet, Michael Ezeike, Jake Bobo and Kazmeir Allen.
“It was just another challenge for us,” Charbonnet told reporters after catching passes from Thompson-Robinson. “I know we are in California, so hopefully that answered any questions about if we can catch in the rain.”
UCLA’s favorite duo. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to RB Zach Charbonnet. pic.twitter.com/mOmQfSqXy9
— James H. Williams covers UCLA football (@JHWreporter) March 15, 2023
The rain was consistent throughout the speed and agility drills like the 40-yard dash and short shuttle drill, causing some to slip and occasionally restart.
Bobo was also among the players to represent the Bruins at the combine but did not perform in any of the speed and agility-based drills. He opted to wait for his pro day. Official results from the pro day were not provided.
Offensive lineman Raiqwon O’Neal was a full participant throughout the event while Jon Gaines II and Atonio Mafi were limited to just offensive line drills. Gaines had already completed his 40-yard dash and cone drills at the combine.
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List of UCLA participants:
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
RB Zach Charbonnet
WR Jake Bobo
OL Atonio Mafi
OL Jon Gaines II
WR/RB Kazmeir Allen
DB Stephan Blaylock
OLB Bo Calvert
TE Michael Ezeike
DB Azizi Hearn
LS Jack Landherr IV
OL Raiqwon O’Neal
DB Mo Osling III
LB Shea Pitts
DL Jacob Sykes