Mathews continues to work to impress NFL personnel

(NFLDraftScout.com is following Ryan Mathews' road to the NFL from the combine to his pro day workout to the draft April 22-24. This is the second in a four-part series.)

Ryan Mathews' goal of being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft picked up significant steam with a strong performance at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. But he knows there's still a long way to go, starting with Wednesday's pro day at Fresno State.

He plans on doing every drill scouts ask of him, and has already scheduled private workouts with four teams, including the New York Jets and St. Louis Rams.

Though only 5-feet-11 5/8 in height, Mathews weighs in at a solid 218 pounds. (Getty Images)

Mathews gives no credence to the strategy used by other top-rated backs such as Clemson's C.J. Spiller and Cal's Jahvid Best, who have elected to sit out their pro day after testing well at the combine.

"Why wouldn't I work out?" Mathews said. "I'm a competitor. I did well at the combine, that's fine, but there are some things I know I can do better. I going to run and jump and catch and just do it everything like I did at the combine."

Mathews certainly did do well in Indianapolis.

Some had questioned if Mathews, who led the nation with an average of 150.67 yards per game in 2009, was a bit of a product of Fresno State's system. His backup, senior Lonyae Miller, had also produced when given the opportunity and is rated a sixth-round pick by NFLDraftScout.com. A WAC team with two legitimate NFL running backs?

Mathews impressed when he weighed in at a rock-solid 5-feet-11 5/8 and 218 pounds. He then surprised scouts by being timed as low as 4.37 seconds in his two 40-yard dashes. One scout on site had him timed at 4.41, faster than any other back of his size.

The scout, who works for an NFC team thought to be considering drafting a running back in the early rounds, wasn't surprised. But he thinks he was in the minority.

"I know that some of the other guys at our place were surprised by that [Mathew's speed], but I told them and I told you before I thought he was the best all-around back in this draft," the scout said. "He has the big plays that show game speed, but some guys just want to put a clock on it before they believe it. What really helped him was the burst he showed. He definitely helped himself [at the combine].

The burst the scout referred to stood is evident on many of Mathews' best runs. For a back known for his physicality, Mathews is remarkably explosive to and through the first level of the defense. This burst is quantified by scouts through the 10-yard split that makes up the first "leg" of the 40-yard dash times. Mathews was timed at 1.49 seconds to cover the first 10 yards -- only a hundredth of a second slower than Best, whose 4.34-second time in the 40 led all running backs tested at the 2010 combine.

Mathews' explosiveness came through in another drill -- the broad jump, with his 10-foot, 1-inch measurement the second furthest among running backs.

"I think the big thing was my 40," Mathews said about the reaction he received from NFL personnel and fellow prospects. "I don't think many people thought that I could move like that. I think it not only showed that I was faster than some thought I'd be, but proved some of my work ethic. I've worked hard to prepare for this."

As much as Mathews was looking forward to the running the timed drills, he felt his best performance came later during the running back drills. After all, he'll soon be getting paid to elude defenders and score touchdowns, not race the stopwatch or leap for the measuring tape.

"I was looking forward to the running drills," Mathews said. "I think that is my strong point. Getting to the line and cutting to either side. Those are the things most like playing in a real game."

There was one area that simulates the game in which Mathews was not pleased with his performance.

"[During receiving drills] I did drop a ball," Mathews said. "I wasn't as aware of it coming as I should have been. I was just coming out of the three-point stance and it just got on me quicker than I was anticipating. That is a drill I'm looking forward to doing again [in Fresno]."

Mathews has been preparing for his second opportunity to work out in front of scouts just like he did before the combine, training at Performance Gaines in Westlake Village, Calif. He has been working out there since returning from Indianapolis and arrived back in Fresno Saturday in preparation for Wednesday's workout.

His only break from his daily workout routine was to get his sixth tattoo.

"It is a bonsai tree on my side," Mathews said. "It's pretty big [laughing]. I got the outline for it done before the combine. I didn't get it finished then because I didn't want to be sore, but I had time Saturday and got it done.

"The bonsai tree represents strength and loyalty. Those are two characteristics I admire and believe that I have."

Mathews' strength and physical endurance will be measured by scouts Wednesday.

Evidence of his internal strength and loyalty is being proven simply by the fact that he's returning to school to work out.

"I feel like I proved that I belonged to be mentioned right there with all of the backs of this class by how I performed on the field and at the combine," Mathews said. "But I can do better. And if some scouts come to Fresno to see me, they'll also see some of the guys too. [Wide receiver] Seyi [Ajirotutu], Lonyae, they're probably thinking the same thing too."

"At least they should."

Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.