Gholston to get look at No. 1; surgery hinders Stewart

Vernon Gholston has his sights set on being a top-five pick in April's draft. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

By Tony Pauline, Special to SI.com, TFYDraft.com

Week two of the pro-day workouts schedule showed a big up tick in action as several major programs hosted scouts. The majority of this week's risers come from the defensive side of the ball, with a number of linebackers leading the way.

Risers

Vernon Gholston, DE-OLB -- Ohio State

He continues to impress NFL decision-makers. He bettered many of his combine numbers on March 7 in Columbus with a 40 time of 4.56 seconds and a vertical jump of 42 inches. League insiders are now saying they would not be surprised if Bill Parcells uses the first pick of the draft to select Gholston, who has the best potential to be an impact defensive player.

Jerod Mayo, LB -- Tennessee

He turned in an impressive vertical jump of 40.5 inches, a full 8.5 better than his combine result. He also completed 22 reps on the bench, another solid mark. Mayo looked outstanding in position drills and scouts feel he has cemented a spot for himself in Round 1.

Zach Bowman, CB -- Nebraska

The Cornhusker defensive back was the star of the Nebraska workout last Wednesday. His times ranged from 4.35 to 4.39 after he weighed in at 195 pounds. He then looked terrific in the position drills. Bowman's surgically repaired knees have not received any red-flags thus far.

Aqib Talib, CB -- Kansas

He was another Big 12 cornerback who impressed with his speed this week. His 40 time of 4.41 was much better than his combine clockings, which ranged in the low 4.5 area. Talib twice answered questions about his speed (pro day and the combine) and is moving up draft boards.

Bryan Kehl, LB -- BYU

The multi-dimensional linebacker weighed in at 238 and then turned in an outstanding performance. His times of 4.56 and 4.57 were more than one-tenth faster than his combine performance. He then turned heads with a 6.54-second showing in the three-cone run, which was faster than any of the times turned in by the defensive backs at the combine.

Wilrey Fontenot, CB -- Arizona

The Wildcats diminutive cornerback improved on his already fast times from the combine. He ran under 4.4 in the 50, with some watches clocking him as fast as 4.35.

1 of 2