Jeremy Gallon out to prove himself again
At 5-7 1/4, 185 pounds, former Michigan receiver Jeremy Gallon had plenty to prove at the recent NFL Combine. It was nothing new to the diminutive Floridian, and he dealt with it the way he always has - by excelling and exceeding expectations.
Gallon ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, 17th among receivers. He was 13th on the bench, hoisting 225 pounds 15 times.
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"I've been dealing with it my whole life, since playing football, but I haven't considered it an issue," Gallon said of people questioning his size. "It's something other people look at, but I deal with it and play ball … you can't change what people think or say about you."
It's his quickness and route running that's set Gallon apart, and what he hopes will lead a team to draft him. He put up big numbers, catching 89 passes for a record 1,373 yards last year in earning second team All-Big Ten honors, but it's a talented group with which he's competing.
"There are a lot of fast guys, a lot of guys I've been watching play games," he said. "I do feel I'm a lot quicker than some others. People wouldn't pay much attention to me because I'm not big in stature, but when they'd fall back on me, that allowed me the opportunity.
"It's all about competing, for me or any other guy coming out here. It's about giving your best shot and not being scared."
There's a place for Gallon with the right team, probably in the slot. As a "short guy moving fast and playing against somebody bigger," he believes there are more options for routes and an ability to create separation for someone his size.
"I'd like to be like Steve Smith," he said of the Carolina Panthers standout. "He's a smaller receiver, a strong guy with strong hands who runs good routes. He doesn't back down from anything, and I try to pattern my game after his."
Gallon is projected as a late round pick.