Senior Bowl 2011: Ryan Kerrigan, Christian Ponder, Others Impress at Weigh-In

The Senior Bowl weigh-ins are a process of the NFL Draft most players, media and fans never really want to experience.

Grown men, wanting to become professionals, are paraded out in front of team personnel, owners, media, cameras, onlookers, doctors, etc. clad only in Under Armour spandex.

It is an important process, though.

Height and weight is a guessing game until this point. For instance, Jaiquawn Jarrett a late-round safety prospect out of Temple, was listed at 6'2" and measured in at 5'11.875". Very few players are actually their listed height, and most aren't close to their listed weight. College SIDs consistently add inches and shave weight for star players to increase publicity.

At the Senior Bowl, nothing is hidden.

Literally, nothing.

The half-naked thing actually serves an important purpose as well. First and foremost, personnel guys know that 310 lbs. can be impressive and disappointing on two different guys. Scouts want a guy to carry his weight well and look like his frame can support added muscle/bulk. Few "sloppy" players get drafted in the first round.

Just as important, it is hard to cover your past when you're standing in spandex. That tattoo you got on spring break—everyone sees it. That scar from a high school knee surgery no one knew about—everyone sees that too.

Ultimately, play supersedes everything that happens in the Mobile Convention Center Ballroom, but it's an important role all the same.

Weigh-In Notes

Ryan Kerrigan (DE Purdue) was, far and away, one of the most impressive-looking specimens in the weigh-in process the morning. Heading up to the podium, he even drew a whistle or two from those in attendance. Throughout his upper body, he was chiseled and clearly the type of athlete coaches want in their weight room and on their team.

Another impressive specimen was Nate Solder (OT Colorado). At 6082 and 314, he seemed to be 100 percent muscle and had long arms. His play improved throughout his senior season, and his bad reputation as a stiff waist-bender is slowly fading away.

Christian Ponder (QB Florida State) looked athletic—something few scouts expected. He, Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) and Andy Dalton (Texas Christian) all had definition that top QBs don't always possess, but it certainly makes a team feel better drafting a guy who does.

On the other side of the QB spectrum, Greg McElroy (Alabama) was shorter than listed and looked like he's always spent more time in the classroom than in the weight room. He's still a late-round prospect and a proven winner, but it would be nice to have seen a more well put-together prospect.

Mark Herzlich (LB Boston College) has a great story, beating bone cancer and coming back to an underrated senior season. He looked good too at 6035, 250. High character guys are one thing; gym rats are another. Herzlich is both. Adding that type of muscle after bone cancer impressed everyone.

Greg Jones (LB Michigan State) was less impressive. At 5117, 240, he is fighting the small, overachieving label, but he looked sloppy and less like a football player than many of the other linebackers his size.

Now, the players turn to the field and look to carve out their NFL niche. Bleacher Report will be covering the event live from Mobile. Check out Erik Galko for more updates.

Michael Schottey is the On-Call Assignment Editor for the Bleacher Report College Sports Writing Internship and an NFL Featured Columnist. He is part owner of DraftTek.com and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Follow him on Twitter.