FLUFFY
03/09/07 - Former Fresno State lineman Kyle Young returned to the Bulldogs' practice field Thursday for the first time in four months, there to participate in the NFL Pro Day after failing to receive an invitation to last month's NFL combine. The last time Young practiced at Fresno State was in November before getting suspended for the final four games of his career because of academics.
Young returned looking bigger, but not necessarily better. He measured in at 6 feet, 5 inches and 353 pounds -- 23 pounds heavier than his listed playing weight. He did look stronger -- bench-pressing 225 pounds 23 times (about midrange compared to the marks set by linemen at the NFL combine). He also looked slower -- unofficially running the 40-yard dash at 5.57 on one run. Most importantly to Young, though, was that he was being looked at with roughly 20 NFL scouts and six NFL assistants attending the annual draft-preparation event. Young, along with roughly 15 other former Fresno State players or Fresno-area athletes who participated in the Pro Day, simply wanted to catch an NFL scout's eye. "Today was pretty important, show what I have in front of everybody," Young said afterward. "If you didn't go to the combine, this is the time to impress." Why Young, a four-year starter for the Bulldogs, didn't get invited to last month's combine in Indianapolis remains a mystery to him. His theory? His suspension cost him an invite, which was awarded to roughly 350 players in the nation. His agent, Justin Shulman of Athletes First, believes the suspension has brought up unwarranted character issues about Young. - Bryant-Jon Anteola, The Fresno Bee
J/K
