Notre Dame cornerback and former Butler standout Robert "R.J." Blanton is sharing his experiences from the NF L's scouting combine in Indianapolis with the Observer's Joseph Person. Today is the third installment.
I woke up this morning and went and took the Wonderlic test. We actually took the test at Notre Dame on junior day. It's not a bad test. It's fairly easy. What makes it difficult is it's a timed test. You're kind of racing the clock more than anything. You've got to hurry up and get as many answers as you can before the time is up.
Then we had our bench press test. I got 12 reps (at 225 pounds). It was OK. I was shooting for 16. You walk into the room and we lift on a stage, the same stage that we weigh in on. There's a room full of scouts. I went up and introduced myself, and everybody's watching you. The atmosphere was good. All the other guys in there were cheering for one another and motivating each other to get a couple more reps.
A lot of the teams are asking me if I can play multiple positions. Can I play safety? Had I ever played safety? Because a lot of teams are looking at me not only as a corner, but as a safety. I said, 'Yessir.' I played a few snaps at safety my junior year. I know how to do it. I told them I would love the opportunity.
I'm going to get up early (today), probably about 5 o'clock and go get stretched out and just get ready (for the 40-yard dash and other tests). We've got to be down there at 6:40, breakfast is at 6. It's going to be a long day, but a great day. I want to run super-fast. It'd be great to get down in that 4.4 range. That's my goal.
