Bears Put Up Strong Marks Despite Rainy Pro Day

BERKELEY – Former Cal football players at the team's annual Pro Day didn't let a rainy and windy afternoon hold them back from putting up strong marks in front of representatives from 31 NFL teams Thursday at California Memorial Stadium and Maxwell Field.

Zeandae Johnson started the momentum with 22 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press before Camryn Bynum (4.49), Johnson (4.82) and Jake Curhan (5.42) all posted strong 40-yard dash times for their respective defensive back, defensive line and offensive line position groups. Bynum also added impressive marks of 10' 9" in the broad jump, 4.01 in the 20-yard shuttle and 6.98 in the cone drill.

"Today went great and most of all I had fun," Bynum said. "My biggest goal was to show what I could do – not even chasing numbers – but just show that I've actually been training really hard for at least three months and not be nervous … I liked my performance. I just wanted to go out there and do my best, and I think it paid off well."

"My takeways from today were that I had good speed and good strength," added Johnson, who also posted a notable 27 ½" vertical jump. "I wanted to make sure they knew I was explosive. For somebody my size to be able to run, jump and push as hard as I can, it has to tie back to explosiveness. I wanted to showcase how explosive I can be."

Two other former Cal players who finished their collegiate eligibility in 2019 – Traveon Beck and Jordan Duncan – also participated in the event.

All participants had their physical measurements (height, weight, hand, arm, wingspan) taken and opportunities to participate in the 225-pound bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill. The session also included on-field position work.

"I was pretty happy with most of the testing and I thought I killed the field drills," Curhan said. "It was perfect weather for football. I felt right in my element."

Bynum and Curhan were 2021 NFL Combine invitees but the event was cancelled due to COVID-19. Both players participated at the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl this past January. Johnson played in the 2021 Hula Bowl.

The 2021 NFL Draft is slated to be held April 29 – May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.