6th Round: Brandon Underwood, CB, Cincinnati
The Packers used their second sixth-round pick (No. 188 overall) on Cincinnati cornerback Brandon Underwood.
Underwood (6-1, 198 pounds) was a first-team all-Big East pick as a free safety and also played some cornerback.
Combine Results:
40 Yard Dash : 4.48 seconds
Bench Press : 16.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 36.5 inches
Broad Jump : 125.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 7.01 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.21 seconds
The Packers have one pick left in the seventh round, No. 218.
UPDATE, 3:47 p.m.: A little more on Underwood. He spent three years at Ohio State and then had his scholarship revoked for missing meetings and academic issues. In his only season playing at Cincinnati, he had 60 tackles (3.5 for loss), three interceptions, six pass deflections and two forced fumbles.
UPDATE, 3:51 p.m.: Scout Shaun Herock speaking now ...
* What like about Underwood? "He's a big kid. He's got length, he's got some speed." Length important vs. big receivers.
* More safety or corner? Plays both. Can do both. Want to try him at cornerback first because that's harder to find.
* Comfortable with his Ohio State ouster? Academic ouster. "Since then, he's shown himself a mature individual." Paid part of his own way at Cincy. Opened his eyes.
* Physical? "He uses his length very well as a safety. I don't think that was his trade, to be a killer," but he gets guys down. Will try to use length and speed to lock up receivers outside.
* If no issues at Ohio State, is he an earlier pick? "It's hard to say." Went back through career and asked questions. Ohio State loved kid, thought he was fabulous athlete.
* Did Ohio State say why didn't work through? "I think they did and they just thought it was time to move on." Thought had other kids they could work with.
* See much playing bump and run in college? Played both that and zone. Can get arms stretched out and ride guys and run with them down the field.
Combine video
UPDATE, 4:11 p.m.: Underwood is on the phone.
* What does he consider natural position? "Corner. ... I've been playing corner all my life, and safety was something I just started playing this year." Safety was a bit unnatural at first. By end of season, felt natural at both, "but I'm more groomed for corner."
* Your side of Ohio State story? Didn't get it done academically, that was downfall. Would have loved to stay. Wasn't being student-athlete, just an athlete.
* Pay for part of Cincy? Paid for three-quarters of school, whole first year.
* Get degree? 24 hours short of criminal justice degree.
* Mature from situation? "It really helped me learn to be accountable for my actions. It just helped me to humble myself in all situations."
* Chances of being good NFL player? "I have a great chance. I'm a hard worker, I'm a smart player and I want it, I'm hungry."
* Train in Nashville, and why? Agent had given great reviews on Kurt Hester (sp?), trained there. "He taught me things I already thought I knew."
* Disappointed to go so low? "No sir, it's always a blessing. ... It matters what you do when you get there."
* Lot of options after Ohio State, or was Cincy last resort? Had many options -- UCLA, Louisville, West Virginia. But wanted to be near family, play in front of them.
* How old? 22, about to be 23 in June.
* Consider good bump-and-run player? "Yes sir, with the right coaching, I can be any kind of player. ... I like to put my hands on receivers anyways."
* On his strength: "You can always get bigger, stronger, faster."
* Know what measured his arm length at pro day, and is it an advantage? Don't remember number. Always been told he has monkey arms. Complements vertical.
* Student loans continuing to pay off? "Yes, I do." Had all deferred until after graduation. Took winter and spring quarters off. "My best time ever in the 40 was a 4.36." Expected to run that this spring, but was a little slower.