WR Wilson Van Hooser did not have much of a career at Troy. Going 68-993-11 would be a good season, but those aren’t career totals that will get much attention from NFL scouts. Van Hooser found another way to get their attention.
Here is the scoop from Gil Brandt:
Troy wide receiver Wilson Van Hooser worked out at Troy’s pro day, but the New Orleans native opted to work out again at Tulane’s pro day. Van Hooser ran the 40 in 4.45 and 4.48 seconds. He then produced what was described as the highlight of the entire 2014 pro-day season during the on-field workout. Van Hooser was running a fly route, but the pass came up short. Rather than circle back to the ball, Van Hooser caught the ball with his hands behind his back. It was described as “a catch for the ages.”
At Troy’s pro day on March 10, Van Hooser had a 39-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-6 broad jump, a 4.15-second short shuttle time, 6.96-second three-cone drill time and performed 16 strength lifts
I haven’t found a video of the catch, but you can see Van Hooser explain the catch in an video on this article. There is also a note in there about the Eagles.
Last week, Van Hooser went to New Orleans and worked out for the Saints coaching staff. On Tuesday, he had an individual workout at Troy with an area scout of the Chargers.
Van Hooser said the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts and BC Lions of the Canadian Football League have contacted him since making that “catch for the ages.”
UDFA target that could make sense for the Eagles. Has good combo of size and athletic ability. Solid blocker. Good hands.
So many players had decent college stats, then made a play or two in private workouts or at the Combine that attracted positive attention. Yet many end up doing little in the NFL. You never know for sure if he’ll be one of the few to succeed, or one of the many to fail at the next level.