Crohn's disclosure not expected to alter McClain's draft status
Butkus Award-winning linebacker Rolando McClain discussed after Alabama's pro day Wednesday his issues with Crohn's disease, an intestinal disorder that inflames the digestive tract, leading to persistent diarrhea, cramps and fever.
McClain is the top-rated linebacker in the 2010 draft by NFLDraftScout.com and the No. 12-rated prospect overall.
One scout told NFLDraftScout.com that McClain's medical condition is a non-factor, while an NFL general manager said, "it shouldn't affect his draft status." Another scout said McClain likely won't fall too far because "it only takes one team" to believe that Crohn's won't affect his play.
Scouts at the event said McClain struggled to finish drills and looked "out of shape," and he admitted he wasn't at full strength Wednesday. McClain, who did not run at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, said he has also been dealing with a hamstring injury since the Tennessee game.
"It shows that I have the ability to fight through everything," said McClain. "There are 32 teams, and I wanted to show them something. I know they didn't want to come see a guy sit on the sidelines, they wanted to see me run. I think I showed them that even when I don't feel my best I can step-up and get it done."
Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2004 and has controlled the disease through medication and changes in his diet. Crohn's is considered incurable but can be controlled through medication and diet. McClain said he has been dealing with Crohn's since high school.
Perhaps more important to McClain's draft status was being timed in the 4.6- to 4.65-second range in the 40-yard dash by scouts on hand, which was better than expected for the 6-foot-3, 254-pounder.
A three-year starter, McClain closed his Crimson Tide career with an All-American 2009 season in which he recorded 105 tackles, 14.5 for loss. He thrived in coach Nick Saban's 3-4 defensive scheme, and McClain said at the combine that he believes he fits best as a middle linebacker in a 3-4, although he played in a 4-3 in high school.
All 32 NFL teams, including Panthers coach John Fox, were represented at Alabama's pro day, which featured 18 draft-eligible prospects.
Mammoth defensive tackle Terrence Cody weighed in at 349 pounds, down five pounds from the 354 he was at in Indianapolis and 21 from his listed weight of 370 pounds at the Senior Bowl in late January. Cody is the No. 6-rated defensive tackle and No. 46 overall by NFLDraftScout.com.
Cody said his goal is to weigh 340 pounds by the NFL Draft April 22-24, which would ease scouts' concerns about the number of snaps he'll be able to play.
"I've worked hard ever since the Senior Bowl to try to get it down where people wanted to see it," said Cody. "So, to come in today at 349, that was big."
Cornerback Javier Arenas, the 12th-rated cornerback, did not work out because of a hamstring injury, but said he plans to schedule another workout in the coming weeks.
"It is disappointing, but I'm positive about everything," said Arenas. "I try to make the best of a situation and this situation wasn't that bad originally anyway."
Junior cornerback Kareem Johnson, rated the No. 5 cornerback and 33rd over prospect by NFLDraftScout.com, chose not to run the 40 after being clocked in the 4.4s at the combine.
"Some people may determine that by what his playing speed is, but I think when he ran a good time [at the combine] it helped make the decision he made a good one," said Saban. "If he hadn't have run a good time, it might have made it a bad one."
Guard Mike Johnson also spent some time working on direct and shotgun snaps at center. He is the No. 4-rated guard by NFLDraftScout.com.
NFLDraftScout.com's Howard Balzer and Rob Rang contributed to this report. NFLDraftScout.com is distributed by The Sports Xchange.
