The University of Washington held its annual Pro Day yesterday at the campus' Dempsey Indoor Practice Facility, where 20 NFL hopefuls participated in workouts and on-field drills in front of a slew of NFL scouts, team personnel, coaches, and members of the media.
Here are five key takeaways from Thursday's session:
1. Danny Shelton Taking Everything In
Danny Shelton, the 6-foot-2, 338-pound defensive lineman, is considered by many to be a Top-10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He's been dubbed a day-one starter at the next level after starting 13 games at nose tackle for the Dawgs last season, when he totaled 93 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, led the nation with five fumble recoveries, and earned First-Team All-America honors.
"This whole process is exciting, but it's exhausting at the same time," said Shelton. "I've just been taking everything in, counting my blessings. It's a crazy experience, man."
Shelton said he has a visit coming up with the Cleveland Browns, a team that lost nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin to the Seahawks in free agency. Shelton also hopes to be in attendance at this year's draft, which is set for April 30 - May 2 in Chicago, Ill. He's just waiting for an invite.
"I definitely want to go to Chicago, it's a once in a lifetime thing," he said. "Just waiting for the invitation and I'll take some of my family out there. I'm excited to get it started."
2. Marcus Peters Returns
Cornerback Marcus Peters was removed from UW's program this past November after what he called a "miscommunication" with the Huskies' new coaching staff headed by Chris Petersen.
At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, Peters - one of the top cornerbacks in this year's draft - said he reconciled with Petersen and in turn was invited to participate in the school's Pro Day.
"It's excitement," Peters said of what it felt like to be back in the Pacific Northwest. "It's a wonderful process that we all get to go through and I've just got a chance to come back home and get it in with my brothers."
3. Shaq Thompson Doesn't Want To Play Running Back Anymore
Shaq Thompson is listed as a linebacker on UW's website, but the 6-foot-1, 228-pounder also saw a healthy number of snaps at running back last season.
On Thursday, Thompson said his ball-carrying days are behind him, as most NFL clubs are looking to use him as a strong safety or weakside lineabcker.
A look inside University of Washington's Pro Day as 20 NFL hopefuls participated in workouts and on-field drills in front of a slew of NFL scouts, team personnel, coaches, and members of the media.
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Former Washington player Kasen Williams takes a turn on a vertical jump measurement during a work out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Kasen Williams drops a ball after a run as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Shaq Thompson works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Washington head coach Chris Petersen, left, looks on with Seattle Seahawks' general manager John Schneider, center, and head coach Pete Carroll during a work out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Danny Shelton talks before working out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Shaq Thompson works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Shaq Thompson, left, embraces Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Wagner before a work out by Thompson at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Marcus Peters motions as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Hau'oli Kikaha looks up at the result of his vertical jump as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Marcus Peters tosses back a ball as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL scouts and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Washington head coach Chris Petersen, center, looks on with Seattle Seahawks' general manager John Schneider, left, and head coach Pete Carroll during a work out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Marcus Peters works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Travell Dixon works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Danny Shelton works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Hau'oli Kikaha works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL scouts and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Shaq Thompson reaches for a pass as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Danny Shelton pulls on a sarong before working out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Shaq Thompson reaches for a pass as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Spectators looks on as former Washington player Shaq Thompson works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Danny Shelton works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Shaq Thompson reaches for a pass as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Marcus Peters stretches before he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Marcus Peters tosses back a ball as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington players huddle with a coach after they worked out out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and ShaqThompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player Hau'oli Kikaha sprints as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington quarterback Keith Price throws during a work out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Washington player John Timu leaps to catch a ball as he works out at Washington's pro day Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Seattle. Potential first-round picks Danny Shelton and Shaq Thompson were among about 20 former Washington players who worked out for NFL officials and others. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
4. Seahawks Well Represented
Given the Seahawks' close proximity to the Huskies' Montlake headquarters, it should come as no surprise that Seattle's staff was well-represented at UW's Pro Day.
Among those in attendance were Executive VP/General Manager John Schneider, head coach Pete Carroll, several of the team's assistant coaches and scouts. A trio of Seahawks linebackers also took in the action: Bobby Wagner, Brock Coyle, and Kevin Pierre-Louis. San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke and Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan were also on hand.
5. The Participants
The full list of former Huskies taking part in Thursday's Pro Day included the aforementioned Shelton, Peters, and Thompson, as well as edge rusher Hau'oli Kikaha - whose 19.0 sacks led the nation last year, offensive lineman James Atoe, tailback Jesse Callier, wide receiver DiAndre Campbell, offensive lineman Mike Criste, defensive back Travell Dixon, tight end Mike Hartvigson, offensive lineman Micah Hatchie, defensive lineman Andrew Hudson, defensive lineman Evan Hudson, defensive back Jon Kwon, quarterback Keith Price - who had a short stint with the Seahawks last offseason, defensive back Taz Stevenson, defensive end Everette Thompson, linebacker John Timu, defensive back Tre Watson, and wide receiver Kasen Williams.
