NFL Scouting Combine: Arkansas invitees slimmed, trimmed

— Former Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams has trimmed down to about 240 pounds for a key 40-yard dash and important job interviews this week.

Williams and Arkansas teammates Ryan Mallett, Ray Dominguez and DeMarcus Love, as well as four other players with Arkansas ties, will go through the paces at the NFL Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis.

Arkansas State offensive tackle Derek Newton, Southern Arkansas defensive tackle Cedric Thornton, Tulsa’s Charles Clay of Little Rock and North Carolina tight end Zack Pianalto of Springdale also will compete at the combine, which gets cranking in earnest today.

Williams, who played at around 250 pounds this past season to be a stronger blocker, trained in north Miami Beach this winter with other draft hopefuls at the Bommarito Performance Systems camp run by Pete Bommarito. The idea was to beef up his time in the 40 and the various shuttle drills.

“I just want to focus on running well,” Williams said.

Williams, Clay and Pianalto are all competing for draft position at the hybrid H-back spot more than the true tight end position. The H-back, which includes duties as a fullback, end-line blocker and pass catcher, is not em-ployed by every NFL team, but it appears to be growing in popularity.

“I’d move around from fullback to tight end to a slot receiver type of thing,” Williams said of his work at the Senior Bowl last month. “I had a really good week, and that’s really the role I fit into pretty nice, and I did it at Arkansas and in high school too.”

Jamie Must of the National Sports Agency, which represents Williams, said the agency’s other clients are impressed by Williams.

“The other guys we represent say he’s the best guy they’ve been around,” Must said. “The wide receivers stand around and watch him run routes.”

Precombine Internet chatter has hounded Mallett, with some unnamed scouts questioning his character, leadership ability and his past. Mallett, who holds numerous Arkansas records, is scheduled to fly in to Indianapolis and go through his orientation and physical exams today.

Psychological testing and team interviews will start for him Friday, and his Fayetteville-based agent, J.R. Carroll, said Mallett is ready for the intense scrutiny.

Carroll said he and Mallett are flying to Indianapolis today and will be there until Sunday night.

“Ryan will be there for those days to answer any and all questions,” Carroll said.

Carroll refuted a report Tuesday that claimed Mallett did not enter the 2010 NFL Draft because of possible drug-use problems. Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee came to Mallett’s defense as well.

“The rumors about Ryan are false,” McGee said. “He never flunked a drug test at Arkansas.”

McGee said Mallett is ready for the NFL.

“That’s my kid,” McGee said. “I appreciate what he did for us. I appreciate my time with him. ... I’d take him back in a minute, but he’s ready.”

Mallett’s only physical testing in Indianapolis will be throwing on Sunday. His running, lifting and other drills will be held for scouts on Arkansas’ pro day March 8.

NFL analyst Mike Mayock gives Mallett the nod as having the top arm available in the draft.

“He has all the physical tools to be a prototype drop back passer in the NFL,” Mayock said in an online post for the NFL Network. “His problem is that the more the pocket disintegrates, the worse he becomes. I love his skill set, but he needs considerable development in the pocket.”

Love, Dominguez and ASU’s Newton went through registration, X-rays and orientation Wednesday along with kickers and the tight end group. Those three groups begin workouts Friday and Saturday.

Dominguez moved from tackle to guard during his work at the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game earlier this month.

“It took me awhile to get the hang of it, but I think I was one of the best linemen down there,” Dominguez said. “I had a really strong week, and if I have a strong combine I should be able to get drafted. I’m not a high commodity on the draft board, but I just hope to catch somebody’s eye and give myself a chance.”

Sports, Pages 19 on 02/24/2011

Upcoming Events