_Editor’s note: On Tuesday, the Illinois football team held its Pro Day, where 16 former Illini worked out for 34 NFL scouts representing 29 teams. Here, columnist Gordon Voit breaks down eight of those athlete’s performances._

h2. Risers

*Whitney Mercilus (DL)*

*Pro Day Results:* Mercilus chose to let the majority of his strong performance at the Combine stand, but he re-ran the three-cone drill as well as the 20-yard shuttle. Both re-dos pushed him up the rankings, as he cut his time of 7.17 (13th among defensive linemen) to 7.03 (would-be fourth) and he shaved his 4.53-second mark in the 20-yard shuttle (28th) down to 4.49 (26th).

*Prognosis:* Mercilus’ impressive Pro Day and Combine, in which he posted a very strong 4.68 in the 40-yard dash (fourth), will only continue to keep him in the first-round conversation. ESPN’s Mel Kiper had Mercilus going No. 20 overall to the Titans in his most recent Mock Draft. Mike Mayock of NFL.com has Mercilus listed under outside linebacker and he is now No. 2 on that list. Mercilus will be one of the most heavily sought after members of the sort of second tier (i.e. non-game-changing) prospects thanks to his dependable package of productivity, character and measurables.

*A.J. Jenkins (WR)*

*Pro Day Results:* Jenkins, too, let his strong Combine numbers stand and primarily participated in position drills Tuesday. He did, however, complete the three-cone drill and the 20-yard shuttle. His three-cone time of 6.73 seconds would have ranked fourth among all receivers and his 4.13 second mark in the short shuttle would have tied for tenth.

*Prognosis:* Jenkins wowed in the 40-yard dash (4.39 seconds, T-fourth) and posted a strong broad jump of 10 feet, 4 inches (T-eighth) in Indianapolis. With those numbers and a high level of production at Illinois, he seems to have secured a slot between the late third and early fifth rounds of April’s NFL Draft despite questions of his ability to release against stronger corners.

*Tavon Wilson (DB)*

*Pro Day Results:* Wilson may have seen his stock rise higher than any other player Tuesday. Before 34 NFL scouts, the Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection came away with an incredibly strong workout for a non-Combine invitee. Wilson, who could switch back to safety after spending 2011 at the corner, ran an estimated 4.50 40-yard dash, which would have put him tied for first among Combine safeties and tied for 10th among cornerbacks. Wilson matched Jenkins’ 10-4 in the broad jump (T-sixth among safeties). His 20-yard shuttle time of 4.16 would have placed him eighth, while his three-cone mark of 7.04 would have ranked 14th.

*Prognosis:* Wilson may have secured a late-round selection after an impressive workout. The Washington, D.C., native could garner some attention, especially given his versatility.

h2. Holding Steady

*Jeff Allen (OL)*

*Pro Day:* Allen, like Combine mates Whitney Mercilus and Derek Dimke, chose to let his numbers from Indianapolis stand and participated only in position drills. The 310-pound senior went through drills with fifth-year senior Jack Cornell and Mercilus.

*Prognosis:* Allen reportedly was impressive in Senior Bowl practice, gaining the attention of SI.com’s Tony Pauline. The draft pundit reported that Allen frustrated Quinton Coples of North Carolina and Courtney Upshaw of Alabama, two first-round locks, one afternoon practice. Allen is not a mauler, nor is he a streamlined pass blocker, but what he does offer teams is versatility, durability and character.

*Ian Thomas (LB)*

*Pro Day:* Thomas is another Honorable Mention All-Conference type who will get a chance on a roster somewhere, regardless of his non-ideal size at 6-foot and a half, 232 pounds. He wowed with 32 reps of 225 pounds (T-second among linebackers at the Combine) and a vertical jump of 37.5 (T-fourth).

*Prognosis:* Thomas clearly has the strength to get a chance on the next level. The question is, does he have the speed (4.69 40-yard dash), instincts and explosion out of breaks to contribute or the height to cover NFL receivers/tight ends?

*Derek Dimke (K)*

*Prognosis:* The Combine participant will get a tryout with a team at the next level due to his dependability from 30-40 yards out. He doesn’t possess the booming leg from 50 yards out that gets college kickers one of the precious few active roster spots, but he could stick on a practice squad somewhere or at least compete in training camp. Dimke is listed as the No. 4 kicker by Mel Kiper.

h2. Work To Be Done

*Jack Cornell (OL)*

*Pro Day:* The fifth-year senior flashed surprising measurables at Pro Day, posting a 5.08 in the 40-yard dash (fifth at Combine) and 33 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press (third) while tying for a would-be ninth in the 20-yard shuttle (4.65).

*Prognosis:* Cornell, like Thomas, will get a chance to compete for a roster spot somewhere despite the fact he will likely go undrafted. Unlike Thomas, however, Cornell did not garner All-Conference honors, meaning he will fly into training camp under the radar.

*Jason Ford (RB)*

*Pro Day:* Ford weighed in at 251 pounds and ran a 4.70 40-yard dash but showed decent burst, posting a 4.43 in the 20-yard shuttle. His broad jump of 9-foot-5 is particularly strong for a back of his size.

*Prognosis:* Ford had an up-and-down 2011 campaign after earning preseason All-Conference consideration. Two questions remain: Can Ford maintain control of the football? And can he be the battering ram that his frame would dictate?

_Gordon is a senior in LAS. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @GordonVoit._