As the mercury dropped, the 40 yard dash times rose. Prospects inability to loosen up in the cold air, had most turning in times two tenths or more above their usual bests.
Despite the figid temps, the group was elated to be part of the event. Once each particpant complete the registration process they were issued their workout uniform for the day courtesy of Under Armour.
"I thought that was all really nice," said Meridian safety Kevin Roberts. "When we were going down there, I wasn't expecting to get anything. It really surprised me. They gave us wristbands, shirts, shorts, socks and head bands. They gave us an Under Armour bag to carry all of our stuff in too."
Kevin was one of five Meridian players who made the trip. Joining Roberts was wide receiver Chris Smith, defensive back Khairi Usher, wide receiver Marcus McCorley and quarterback Tyler Russell.
Russell competed with a solid group of quarterbacks and showed pretty early in the process that he could hold his own within the talented grouping. His play in the seven-on-seven drills was among the best on the day.
Another talented quarterback in attendance from the Magnolia State was Tupelo's Chris Garrett. Garrett was named among the top two quarterbacks on the day by scout.com quarterback coach Tim Glanton. Chris began the throwing drills by completing passes on his first seven attempts and had a solid day during the passing drills.
Garrett's passing acumen was helped by having a pair of teammates to throw to in Chad Bumphis and Justin Bean. Both Tupelo wide outs turned in two of the faster 40 times on the day. Bumphis also made the catch of the day on a nice 40 yard hookup where he laid out and drug one foot before falling out of bounds.
Deandre O'Neal and Deauntay Payne also made the trip from Tupelo and both prospects had solid showings in the OL/DL drills.
Oak Grove's Ricky Bradley showed some nice talent and served notice that he will be on to watch out of the Mississippi Pine Belt.
Perhaps no Mississippi prospect made a longer trip than Tishomingo County's Tyler Pritchard. The talented Pritchard was impressed with the amount of talent assembled in Mobile.
"I thought the group was very talented," said Tyler. "I have never seen that many talented kids all together before. I thought I fit in pretty good. Being my first time I was a little nervous. I think I could have done better, but I will do better the next time I go."
For Pritchard the event was a good measuring stick of what he needs to work on to get to the next level.
"I enjoyed the testing," said the talented running back. "I have never really tested myself before. The 7-on-7s were really fun too. I don't think I did things up to my normal level, but I I had a lot of fun. I know I have some work to do though."
The work continues with spring football, combines and summer camps just around the corner.