Delmas impresses at NFL Combine

From WMU Athletics

Free safety NFL Draft prospect and former Western Michigan Bronco Louis Delmas entered the 2009 National Football League Combine rated as the top safety in April's NFL Draft by two members of the NFL.com staff. He was one of a handful of prospects to work out in Indianapolis and we emerged as a top performer in more than one area.
Delmas, who finished his WMU career as a three-time All-Mid-American Conference selection with 12 career interceptions and 310 career tackles (111 stops in 2008), entered the 2009 NFL Combine listed as the No. 1 safety prospect and fifth defensive back overall by both Steve Wyche and Mike Mayock of NFL.com. He was a member of the second to last group to work out in Indianapolis on Tuesday.

He was listed as a top performer in two areas, the broad jump and 3-cone drill. His length of 10'6" ranked fourth among all safeties and his time of 6.67 seconds in the 3-cone drill ranked third among all safeties, fourth among all defensive backs and seventh among all competitors in this year's combine.

Delmas, measured at 5'11" and 202 lbs., while in Indianapolis, received the positive analysis from NFL.com: Athletic build with the frame to carry additional mass. ... Active safety, unafraid to come up and support the run. ... Physical defender who flashes some explosiveness as a hitter. ... Reliable form tackler who attacks ballcarriers at their knees and wraps up securely. ... Good lateral agility to break down in space in the open field. ... Good instincts in coverage. ... Reads the quarterback and breaks on the ball. ... Smooth backpedal and appears to have at least adequate straight-line speed. ... Natural playmaker. ... Times his leaps well and can highpoint passes. ... Team captain.

Following the final day of the 2009 NFL Combine NFL.com's Wyche completed a mock draft of the first round. He listed Delmas as the 23rd overall selection by the New England Patriots. Wyche's analysis: It's time for the Patriots to replenish this position, and Delmas could be the next Bob Sanders -- with coverage skills.

If this projection were to hold true, Delmas would be the third defensive back selected (No. 5 - Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State - Cleveland Browns; No. 14 - Vontae Davis, Illinois - New Orleans Saints) and the first safety. It would also make Delmas the highest Bronco ever drafted (No. 27 - Jason Babin, Houston Texans - 2004).

Delmas will be joined by former teammates Jamarko Simmons, E.J. Biggers, Londen Fryar, Branden Ledbetter and the rest of the draft eligible Broncos on March 10 for WMU's Pro Day. The event will take place in the Bill Brown Alumni Football Center Weight Room and the Seelye Athletic Center, beginning at 10:30 a.m.