Johnson, Osemele improve their numbers at ISU Pro Day

AMES - Leonard Johnson's NFL stock stems from real-time, on-the-field results.

Not his 40-meter dash time.

Still, the former Iowa State cornerback - and likely second- or third-round NFL Draft pick, according to NFLDraftScout.com -said improving the latter served as powerful motivation for Tuesday's pro day in the Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility.

“I stepped outside of myself, regrouped and came back to put on a big show,” the Clearwater, Fla., native said.

Johnson streaked to a 4.54 40 time Tuesday, as compared to an illness-affected 4.71 achieved at last month's NFL Combine.

He said the illness knocked him out for six days, but sitting out in Indianapolis didn't jibe with his intense mentality.

“Everyone was telling me don't work out, but I got there - my mind was already made up not to work out, but I saw everybody warming up and I put on my shoes,” Johnson said of the combine. “I was like, ‘You know what? I'm a competitor. I'm not going to sit here and watch these guys compete. Whatever I run is what I run.' The time was what it was, but I had another bite of the apple.”

The Cyclones' other potential early-round draft pick, offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele, didn't run Tuesday, but couldn't limit himself to position drills, either.

Osemele, a first-round all-Big 12 honoree, added four reps to his combine bench press numbers, lifting 225 pounds 36 times.

“I didn't come in planning to do any of it, but once I saw the guys doing it I wanted to join in a little bit, especially when (fellow former offensive lineman) Hayworth (Hicks) beat my last number,” Osemele, tabbed a second-round selection by NFLDraftScout.com, said. “That's just a little rivalry we've always had going.”

Hicks, who is projected to be an undrafted free agent, hoisted the bar 35 times.

“I was like, ‘OK, I'm just going to go until I'm dead,'” Osemele said.

Other former ISU players who worked out for representatives of at least 29 NFL teams Tuesday: defensive linemen Jake Lattimer, Pat Neal and Stephen Ruempolhamer; wide receivers Darius Reynolds and Darius Darks; safety Ter'Ran Benton; linebacker Matt Ta'fo'ou; and long snapper Dakota Zimmerman.

Osemele, who felt he “killed” the combine last month, said slimming down to 327 pounds - he played at 347 last season - has been of great benefit.

It wasn't hard, either.

“Every meal was packed for me at my door, so I didn't really have to think at all,” said Osemele, who has been working out in California. “Probably whatever city I go to I'll have that same setup because it was really good for me.”

Johnson didn't need a lower 40 time to affirm his steadfast belief he belongs at the next level.

The 2012 draft runs April 26-28.

“You can turn on film and I'm running with guys that run 4.3s, 4.4s,” Johnson, a second-team all-Big 12 pick, said. “It was good I got my time down to the low 4.5s, but that was just for reassurance.”

Johnson said he'll watch the draft unfold in Ames.

Then, I'll go home and celebrate with the family,” he said. “Once I get drafted - it's not just me, it's everybody that helped me a long the way. Most certainly my community, because they've been with me throughout the whole process. I can't wait, man. It's the last piece to it.”

Speaking of his community, Johnson is already planning the second annual C & C Football Camp for youth in his hometown.

Last summer, more than 250 young people ages six to 17 turned out.

That awed Johnson, who's intent on serving as an example of what's possible through talent, desire and rock-solid commitment.

This summer, the word is fully out and the sky's the limit.

“I actually promoted the camp at the combine, low key,” Johnson said. “I put it out there for the media to hear. I connected with a lot of guys from the Senior Bowl, the combine, and all the scouting trips and stuff like that. I made friends and hopefully I can get them involved and we can make this a big thing.”

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