The 2022 SMU Pro Day won’t have as many high-level NFL Draft prospects as you’d see at a Power Five program’s showcase. But there are two draftable wide receiver prospects to watch, as well as a third pass catcher who showed promise at the Senior Bowl. Here’s the latest on the 2022 SMU Pro Day, when it is, and what to watch at the event.
When is the SMU Pro Day in 2022?
Rather than having a one-day event, the SMU Pro Day in 2022 will be a two-day affair, both days scheduled for the week of March 21. The first SMU Pro Day, which is only for rising seniors, will be conducted at 2 PM EST on Tuesday, March 22. The second SMU Pro Day, which is for all draft-eligible prospects, will be conducted at 8:30 AM EST on Thursday, March 24.
For more information on pro days across the nation, you can view the complete schedule. For now, however, let’s get into some of the top prospects to watch at the 2022 SMU Pro Day.
Top NFL Draft prospects working out at SMU Pro Day
The SMU Mustangs’ 2022 NFL Draft class isn’t incredibly large, but there are names to know — including one receiver who could go within the first four rounds.
Danny Gray, WR
Reggie Roberson Jr. was the receiver with more hype coming into the 2021 season. But now, it’s Danny Gray who’s the heavy favorite to be picked first. Gray caught 49 passes for 803 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2021, averaging 16.4 yards per catch. He also lit up the NFL Combine, logging a 4.33 40-yard dash, a 34″ vertical, and a 126″ broad jump at around 6’0″, 186 pounds, with near-32″ arms.
Gray has impressive speed and explosiveness, but he also flashes crisp, detailed route-running ability, as well as instincts at the catch point. He has solid hands, but he’s prone to drops at times. Thus, his catching drills will likely draw attention at the 2022 SMU Pro Day. Beyond that, Gray has yet to post agility numbers. A good three-cone could potentially boost him into the top-100 conversation. In my opinion, he should be there already.
Reggie Roberson Jr., WR
By now, Gray is comfortably the higher-rated SMU receiver, but Reggie Roberson Jr. still has plenty of fans. There are more red flags with Roberson, who suffered a torn ACL in October of 2020. Roberson, once viewed as a venerable speed threat, noticeably lost some juice, and his NFL Combine performance didn’t alleviate any concerns. He didn’t run the 40-yard dash and came in with a 29″ vertical and a 114″ broad jump at 5’11”, 192.
Roberson is still a solid player in spite of the limitations. He has good concentration at the catch point and solid route-running ability. He also has great proportional length and a wide catch radius. But there are legitimate concerns that he no longer has the dynamic athleticism he had before his injury. The 2022 SMU Pro Day is his last chance to prove otherwise.
Grant Calcaterra, TE
A former Oklahoma standout, Grant Calcaterra medically retired in 2020 due to concussion concerns. He’d be back a year later, however, this time in an SMU Mustangs uniform. Fully healthy and in a passing-oriented attack, Calcaterra flourished, amassing 38 catches, 465 yards, and 4 touchdowns. He earned an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, showing promise in Mobile.
At the NFL Combine, Calcaterra measured in at 6’3 7/8″, 241 pounds, with 33 1/4″ arms. He also ran a strong 4.62 40-yard dash and logged 20 bench reps. Teams will have to make their own decisions on Calcaterra’s medical viability, but there’s no doubt he’s worked himself back into draftable range. If he can round out his testing at the 2022 SMU Pro Day, he’ll only help himself more.
Delano Robinson, LB
Pro days can be fantastic opportunities for unheralded prospects to make themselves known. SMU’s Delano Robinson is one of those prospects. A high school safety, Robinson played linebacker for most of his SMU career. He switched over in 2018 and quickly grew into a standout on the defensive side of the ball.
2021 was perhaps Robinson’s best season yet. Robinson earned 78 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, and a pass deflection — on his way to earning second-team All-AAC honors. The 6’0″, 238-pound linebacker was not only a steady playmaker for the Mustangs but a team captain. He has natural coverage instincts from his days as a safety. If he can test well at the 2022 SMU Pro Day, he’ll no doubt earn the looks he deserves.