Top NFL prospect Sean Bunting headlines nine Central Michigan players at Pro Day
Sean Bunting participates in NFL Pro Day March 14 in the Indoor Athletic Complex turf bay at Central Michigan University.
Sean Bunting lived nearly his entire career as underdog. Now, he’s swimming with the big fish as a shark.
He's determined, passionate and obtains an undisputed work ethic. Bunting obtains those characteristics, and it was on full display at Central Michigan Pro Day on March 14.
The Chippewas hosted 50 scouts for the event. All 32 NFL teams were represented, while four CFL teams jumped in the mix at Turf Bay in the Indoor Athletic Complex.
Bunting thinks he's No. 1 at cornerback
In the 2018 season under former coach John Bonamego, Bunting registered 37 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two interceptions, five passes defended and two forced fumbles. He was a First Team All-MAC selection.
However, it wasn't often that teams threw the ball his way – fearful of what the 6-foot-1, 195-pound cornerback might do.
Fast forward to Pro Day, and Bunting is in good shape to be a second round pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
"I feel like I'm at the top of the boards," Bunting said. "I feel like I am the best corner in the draft."
Bunting ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine on March 4. He added 14 reps on the bench press and 41.5 inches for his vertical jump.
"Coming into that, I knew I was going to shock a lot of guys," Bunting said. "I knew they didn't expect me to run the 40 as fast as I did. After I got the time, I knew I shocked the world."
He did not participate in the 3-cone drill at the NFL Combine but did so at CMU for Pro Day. Weaving in and out of the cones, Bunting finished at 6.78 seconds.
Since the draft isn't until April 25, CMU's star cornerback will participate in private workouts and interviews throughout the coming weeks.
"I can control what I can control," he said. "I'm just going to wait it out and do the best I can do in everything."
Xavier Crawford runs the 40-yard-dash at NFL Pro Day at the Indoor Athletic Complex at Central Michigan University Thursday, March 14.
Crawford greatly improves 40-yard dash
At the NFL Scouting Combine just a week ago, Crawford said he struggled mentally, which is why he only delivered a 4.48-second 40-yard dash.
"It's hard to get prepared for that because, until you're there, there's nothing like experiencing that," Crawford said. "This game is more mental than physical."
Feeling comfortable back in Mount Pleasant on Pro Day, the 5-foot-10, 187-pound cornerback knocked his opportunity out of the park – running the 40-yard dash at 4.30 seconds.
"The combine got to me mentally, especially when I got to the drills," Crawford said. "Today, it was more relaxing coming in."
As a graduate of Oregon State in June 2018, Crawford transferred to CMU for the 2018 season with two years of eligibility. However, he left a year early following 24 tackles, three tackles for a loss, 12 passes defended, one interception and two fumble recoveries.
Projected to be selected toward the end of the 2019 NFL Draft, Crawford is just hoping for an opportunity. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said Crawford has pre-draft visits scheduled with the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans.
"It only takes one team," he said. "That's all it takes."
Other participants
Besides Bunting and Crawford, the other participants at Pro Day from CMU were linebacker Alex Briones, linebacker Malik Fountain, offensive lineman Shakir Carr, defensive lineman Nate Brisson-Fast, defensive lineman Marcus Griffin, safety Tyjuan Swain and long snapper Luke Idoni.
Here's what each told Central Michigan Life:
Alex Briones: "It's a different animal on Pro Day, but I relied on the training I've been doing for the past three months. There's a lot of pressure on you when you come here, it's your dream job. There's a lot on the line."
Malik Fountain: "Film doesn’t lie and scouts know that. I think that scouts can look at my film and see the kind of player I am."
Shakir Carr: "All the way, I’m going to the NFL. And I’m sticking with that until it says no."
Marcus Griffin: "I think I showed that I can move today, pretty well for my size. I think once I get home and lose the extra weight that I gained, I’ll be in a whole different bracket."
Tyjuan Swain: "CMU is a blue-collar program. Coach (John Bonamego) did a good job giving it a pro feel."
Luke Idoni: “I’m going to be able to keep my head down and stay out of everybody's way and just produce. Not many people want to know what the long snappers name is and I’m absolutely okay with that.”
