Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Disregarding a brief midday rain shower, nine seniors from the 2018 San Jose State Spartans football team stated their case to continue playing the game at the Spartans’ annual Pro Day activities this week.

Representatives from 22 NFL and CFL teams examined, measured, and tested defensive linemen Bryson Bridges and Boogie Roberts; quarterback Michael Carrillo; kicker Bryce Crawford; wide receiver Justin Holmes; defensive backs Dakari Monroe and John Toussaint; tight end Josh Oliver, and running back Malike Roberson.

Bridges, Holmes, Monroe and Toussaint participated in all the activities similar to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis–the vertical jump, bench press of 225 lbs, standing long jump, 40-yard dash, and three shuttle runs of various lengths.

Tight end Josh Oliver, the lone Spartan invited to the 2019 NFL Combine, and one of the best overall performers at his position, was measured for height and weight and participated in pass catching drills at the end of the testing session.

Monroe’s marks in the vertical leap of 35.5 inches and 11.70 in the “long shuttle” were among the best by a SJSU senior in recent years. In 2017, current Chicago Bears linebacker Isaiah Irving had a 36.0 inch leap and former New York Giants fullback Shane Smith was even better at 37 inches. In 2016, Cleveland Wallace III’s 11.43 in the long shuttle is the best time by the Spartan prior to Monroe’s time this year.