Conner Vernon: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Duke WR

While the Duke Blue Devils aren't known as a football school, Conner Vernon is trying to change that perception by making an impact in the NFL.

He's one of the greatest players in Duke football history, setting a number of receiving records during his four years at the school. Vernon has great hands and an understanding of what it takes to get open.

Here are five things you need to know about the former Duke wide receiver.   

Background

Full Name: Conner Vernon

Birthday: August 18, 1990

Hometown: Miami, Florida

High School: Gulliver Prep

Major: English

Year: Senior

Vernon managed 131 receptions, 2,668 yards and 22 touchdowns during his high school career. He also participated in track and field during high school.

Statistics

Conner Vernon was one of the most prolific wide receivers in Duke history. He was also one of the most prolific receivers in ACC history, setting conference records for most receptions and receiving yards.

Vernon put up big numbers in all four of his seasons, and improved in each season. He was basically the model for consistency during his time in college.

YEAR	REC	YDS	YDS/REC	TD
2009	55	746	13.6	3
2010	73	973	13.3	4
2011	70	956	13.7	6
2012	85	1,074	12.6	8

All statistics courtesy of sports-reference.com. 

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 196 lbs

Arm Length: 30-1/2"

Hand Size: 9-1/4"

Combine Results

40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds

Vertical jump: 32.5"

Broad jump: 125"

3 cone drill: 6.93 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.22 seconds

60-yard shuttle: 11.34 seconds

Conner Vernon had a solid showing at the NFL Combine, especially in positional drills. Vernon's athleticism has never been his strongest point, but he had good overall numbers.

While he didn't do any "timed" drills at his pro day, he once again excelled in positional drills.

All Combine results courtesy of NFL.com.

Interesting Facts

Conner Vernon went to high school at Gulliver Prep in Miami, Florida. The head coach at Gulliver is Earl Sims.

Coach Sims does something rather interesting before practice, in which Vernon participated during his time in high school. According to a report from David Furones at The Miami Herald, Sims honors the late Sean Taylor before each and every practice.

Furones says that Sims:

"

...has his players come together in a moment of silence while facing the scoreboard that bears Taylor’s name. The players then put a lone index finger in the air to honor Taylor as their No. 1 and begin a thunderous rally of claps before practice begins.

"

That's quite the emotional ritual in which Vernon took part during his high school career.

Observations

Conner Vernon got to work out with both Peyton and Eli Manning this offseason at Duke. As incredible as I'm sure that was, Eli's comments about Vernon gave him quite high praise.

According to Daniel Carp of The Duke Chronicle, Eli had this to say about Vernon:

""Over the years I’ve worked out with Conner a little bit and run routes with him,” he said. “I was throwing with him in 7-on-7 a few years ago, and he just kept getting open. I kept noticing that I kept going his way.”"

In that same article, Peyton felt like there was really nothing else that Vernon could do:

"

But the hay is kind of in the barn for him—he has done everything that he can do.

"