The University of Washington held their annual pro day on Thursday. 19 former Huskies worked out for NFL evaluators, headlined by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and offensive lineman Troy Fautanu. Wide receiver Rome Odunze, a projected top ten pick, was present but did not participate.
Among the 30 teams in attendance in Seattle were three representatives from the Chargers: offensive line coach Mike Devlin, defensive line coach Mike Elston, and west coast area scout Chris Hobbs. (A report that offensive coordinator Greg Roman was in attendance was incorrect.)
Both Devlin and Elston ran positional drills for their respective groups. Elston worked out defensive linemen Bralen Trice, Sekai Asoau-Afoa, and Tuli Letuligasenoa. Edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui did not participate as he recovers from shoulder surgery and defensive lineman MJ Ale was not seen after the 40 yard dash. Devlin worked with Fautanu and offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten during their positional work, along with offensive line coaches from the Jets, Raiders, and Steelers.
The Chargers also showed plenty of interest in a number of Huskies players outside the workout. Devlin spent a few minutes chatting with Odunze as the other players ran the 40, the two seemingly familiar with each other from a previous encounter.
Chargers OL coach Mike Devlin spent a few minutes chopping it up with Rome Odunze pic.twitter.com/yDGqoECIwc
— alex katson
(@alexkatson) March 28, 2024
Of note, however: Odunze told the media after the workout that he has met with the Giants and plans to meet with the Cardinals, Bears, and Jets in the coming weeks. He did not mention the Chargers as one of the teams set to host him at their team facility.
On the defensive side, Elston had a lengthy conversation with Trice after the defensive line workout concluded. Trice has been matched with the Chargers in longer mock drafts in the past, as his play style aligns with what Los Angeles is expected to be looking for under new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Trice would also not come at a premium draft selection – he’s currently projected to be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
Chargers DL coach Mike Elston putting Bralen Trice through position drills in Seattle pic.twitter.com/jGugobKybC
— alex katson
Trice disappointed in athletic testing at February’s NFL Combine, but looked fluid in positional work and showed plenty of bed during bag drills. He did not seek to improve upon his testing numbers from Indianapolis.
Position coaches attending pro days are generally good indicators of interest around the league, so the fact that Elston and Devlin were present in Seattle on Thursday is notable. Hobbs, meanwhile, was active in timing the drills and was seen debriefing the event with Elston as the two exited the pro day venue.