He wasn’t exactly pleased, and he knows he can do better.
Still, Washington State receiver Brandon Gibson was relieved after finishing a two-hour workout Saturday in front of several NFL scouts at Chief Sealth High in Seattle.
Gibson did not test at the NFL scouting combine in February or at the Cougars’ pro day a few weeks ago because he was nursing a hamstring injury he suffered during the Senior Bowl in January.
He anticipated running the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, but ultimately posted times between 4.55 and 4.63. Gibson also had a vertical jump of 34 inches and a standing broad jump of 9 feet, 5 inches. He measured in at just over 6 feet tall, and weighed in at 206 pounds.
Windy and wet weather did not make for ideal running conditions, but Gibson wasn’t looking for an out.
“The conditions weren’t great,” Gibson said. “I don’t really think that’s an excuse, but I didn’t perform to the best of my abilities. But sometimes you play in the rain, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you play in the snow, so I got to just go with it. I think overall I did OK. Hopefully, I can improve on some stuff, maybe run again, but I think that’s up in the air.”
One scout noted that a lot of guys with 4.6 times are playing in the NFL.
The unspectacular times aside, Gibson excelled at what he’s best known for – running precise routes and catching the ball with authority. Gibson, who played high school ball at Rogers High in Puyallup, did not drop a pass during the route-running portion of the workout, with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jeff Rowe handling the throwing duties.
After contemplating coming out after a successful junior season, Gibson decided to return to WSU, hoping to improve his draft stock. Instead, he suffered through a 2-10 season with the Cougars, was double-teamed most of the season and didn’t have a quarterback who could get him the ball with all the injuries Washington State suffered at the position.
However, Gibson said waiting was the right decision.
“My senior year, things didn’t go as planned,” Gibson said. “But, you know, you’re only in college once. You’re only a senior once, so I definitely wanted to enjoy that time there.”
Based on his college résumé, Gibson has the pedigree to be successful as a pro. He earned all-conference first-team honors and All-America third-team honors his junior season, finishing with 67 receptions for 1,180 yards and nine touchdowns as the Pacific-10 Conference’s leading receiver. Gibson finished as WSU’s career leader in receiving yards (2,756), second in receptions (182) and sixth in touchdown catches (17).
Gibson was a Pac-10 honorable-mention selection his senior year, finishing with 57 receptions for 673 yards and two TDs.
Gibson has a workout and a visit scheduled with the Seahawks on April 6. NFL scouts from at least 10 NFL teams watched Gibson’s performance Saturday, including representatives from Seattle and ex-Seahawks executive Randy Mueller, now in the front office of the San Diego Chargers.
Gibson, 21, said he would like a chance to stay home and play for Seattle.
“If the Seahawks were to draft me, which I hope they do, that would be a blessing,” he said. “I grew up in the state of Washington. I’ve lived in the greater Seattle area all my life and I’m just hoping I get the opportunity to play for them. I think that would be really cool and special, but it’s a 1-in-32 shot so hopefully they like me.”
Gibson’s is projected to be drafted between the third and seventh rounds.
“I’m not a highly sought out draft pick,” Gibson said. “But I think I had a good showing and hopefully the coaches came away impressed.”
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437
blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
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