Dylan Thompson throwing with more velocity as he prepares for Pro Day

Dylan Thompson has enjoyed the past three months of football-only focus so much that he hopes to earn a chance to do it even longer.

“That’s been fun to go through that process, and, hopefully, put myself in a position to keep doing that for a few years,” the former South Carolina quarterback said on the eve of the Gamecocks Pro Day.

Thompson will be one of 17 ex-South Carolina players working out Wednesday for scouts and coaches from NFL teams in Williams-Brice Stadium. The group includes the expected draft picks looking to improve their position – offensive linemen A.J. Cann and Corey Robinson and running back Mike Davis.

And it includes those looking to make enough of an impression to earn a late-round selection or free agent contract – such as Thompson, tight end Rory Anderson, defensive backs Sharrod Golightly, Kadetrix Marcus and Brison Williams and wide receivers Damiere Byrd and Nick Jones.

Also participating are those hoping to hit a Hail Mary pass that would extend their football career in some fashion, such as long snapper Ryland Culbertson, punter Patrick Fish, tight end Cody Gibson, punter Tyler Hull, fullback Connor McLaurin and defensive back Sidney Rhodes.

“I don’t think I am going to become a first-round pick off anything I do (Wednesday),” Thompson said. “I’m just excited to go out there and do my thing and have a fun time doing it.”

The workouts will begin with measurements and the vertical and broad jumps and bench presses at 10 a.m. for the South Carolina products. They will then take the field for the 40-yard dash and on-field drills. Thompson plans to throw between 40 and 50 passes and will throw to Byrd, Jones, Anderson, Gibson, Davis and McLaurin, he said.

“I feel good, feel really good, feel sharp,” he said.

Thompson, who set South Carolina’s single-season passing record last year with 3,564 yards, was not invited to the NFL Combine in February, so this will be his only workout in front of most pro personnel other than the East-West all-star game immediately following the Gamecocks’ season.

“I’m excited,” he said. “Working out every day, you enjoy it, but it’s you and a couple guys just working out and nothing else is really going on. Pro Day is a chance to go out in front of people and show what you can do.”

Thompson believes he’ll showcase more velocity on his passes Wednesday because he’s better incorporating his lower body in throws now, he said. That was the most tangible benefit of having nothing to do other than football, he said.

“I’m just looking forward to moving up somebody’s list,” he said. “That’s the goal of pro day, put yourself in a good position.”

While Wednesday’s Pro Day won’t draw the crowd last year’s Jadeveon Clowney Show did, Thompson expects a representative from most of the NFL’s 32 teams to be in attendance.

“I should sleep well. I am just excited more than anything,” he said. “I know the spot I am in now.”

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 10:36 PM with the headline "Dylan Thompson throwing with more velocity as he prepares for Pro Day."