Whipping winds threatened to disrupt Stefon Diggs' pro day at the University of Maryland Thursday afternoon. Did they bother him?
"[It wasn't tough] at all," Diggs said. "It doesn't matter wherever the ball is, you better catch it."
Diggs used his big paws well, catching all but one pass thrown his way during route drills. The only one that bounced off his hands was nearly impossible to catch as the wind took it high over his head.
The 6-foot-0, 195-pound junior ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine, and stood on those numbers. Diggs only ran positional drills, the shuttle drill and bench pressed at his pro day.
Despite the lighter workload, his hands and explosiveness in drills were still impressive. He also competed hard, grunting through workouts and loudly encouraging his teammates.
Diggs shined among the Terps' 13 college players that worked out for nearly two dozen NFL teams in attendance, including the Ravens and even Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. They were mostly there to see Diggs and fellow Terps wide receiver Deon Long.
"It was a great day," Diggs said. "Hard work is paying off. I'm doing everything I trained for.
"I'm a dominant competitor at everything I do. I'm going to do everything I can to help my team. When you said I had big hands, it reminded me that I dropped one coming across the middle. Thank you, I needed that."
Diggs, who played at Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md., entered the draft following a strong junior year in which he earned second-team All-Big 10 Honors. He led the team in receptions (52), receiving yards (654) and receiving touchdowns (five).
The dynamic playmaker struggled with injuries throughout his career, however. A shoulder injury ended his sophomore season early, and he missed three games (one for suspension) during his junior year before returning for the Foster Farms Bowl to put up 10 catches for 138 yards.
"He's a very dynamic young man with the ball in his hands," Terps Head Coach Randy Edsall said. "He's able to contribute in a lot of different ways to your club, not only as a wide receiver and a punt and kickoff returner. He's a neat guy to be around."
Diggs is widely seen as a mid-round pick, anywhere from the third to the sixth round. Diggs said he has a visit set up with the San Francisco 49ers, where he could reunite with former Raven and Terp Torrey Smith, who Diggs has been training with.
Diggs wasn't sure whether he would attend the Ravens' local pro day on March 21, but said he's had contact with Baltimore.
"I've had conversations with the Ravens, especially at the combine," Diggs said. "Everybody knows I would love to stay home. I would love to play for one of the hometown teams."
Long is in a similar build to Diggs, and also considered a speedster., but didn't have quite as good a day. Long had several drops in the wind and looking into the sun and seemed to be more uncomfortable.
Long also had a tough time running his 40-yard dash, as he continually false started by rocking forward. He didn't have his official numbers, but said they weren't as good as he hoped.
Long said he will attend the Ravens' local pro day on March 21 and is regarded as a late-round pick or possible rookie free agent.
"I feel like I could have done better," Long said. "I'll continue to do that even though I don't have a combine anymore and don't have to perform those tests, I'll continue to have those numbers in my head."
