2026 NFL Draft Pro Day Report: Akron Zips
The Zips held their Pro Day workouts in mid-March, with a handful of seniors participating.
The Akron Zips had a promising resurgence in 2025, showing off a competitive fire which hadn't been seen in a while, finishing one game away from a .500 record for the first time in seven years.
Five contributors from the team took to the indoor turf on March 18th to perform for pro scouts. Notably, quarterback Ben Finley and safety DiMarco Johnson did not participate despite being eligible. As a result, they will not have write-ups.
For our reports, we’ve pulled raw numbers from both Draft Scout and RAS.football to populate RAS score cards. These cards are used with express written permission of RAS’ creator Kent Lee Platte.
LB Shammond Cooper
Elevator Pitch:
A former transfer from Illinois, where he spent four seasons as a special teamer with nine tackles. Collected 117 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, two passes defenses and a forced fumble in 24 games over three seasons at Akron. Missed 10 games in 2024 with injury.
Draft Projections:
- Lower-league tryout
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: six-foot-two
- Weight: 215 lbs.
- Arms: 31 and three-eighth inches
- Hands: 10 inches
Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 4.83 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.62 seconds
- 20-yard split: 2.84 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.62 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 7.75 seconds
- Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
- Broad jump: nine feet, 11 inches
- Bench: 22 reps at 225 lbs.
Relative Athletic Score: 3.54
LS Jake Dennis
Elevator Pitch:
Transfer from Colorado State who started all 12 games at Akron in final year of eligibility. Overall, has 33 starts at the FBS level over three seasons.
Draft Projections:
- Lower-league tryout
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: five-foot-eleven
- Weight: 233 lbs.
- Arms: 29 and three-eighth inches
- Hands: 9 and one-quarter inches
Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 5.10 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.68 seconds
- 20-yard split: 2.93 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.71 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 7.82 seconds
- Vertical jump: 28 inches
- Broad jump: eight feet, 11 inches
- Bench: 15 reps at 225 lbs.
Relative Athletic Score: 4.58
DB Malcolm DeWalt IV
Elevator Pitch:
JUCO transfer from Butte [CA] CC who converted from running back/receiver to cornerback. Played two seasons for Akron as core special teamer, earning starting job in 2025. Collected 55 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two interceptions (one pick-six), 10 passes defensed and a forced fumble in breakout season as a boundary starter. Fast-twitch, rangy cornerback with elite tackling and run-stopping ability for his position. Excels at closing down passing lanes with raw speed. Lack of experience in general is a concern, as is middling lateral agility, but has the frame, instinct and grit to stick at the pro level.
Draft Projections:
- Late Day 3 pick; priority undrafted free agent/rookie mini-camp invite
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: six-foot
- Weight: 197 lbs.
- Arms: 32 and seven-eighth inches
- Hands: nine and one-half inches
Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 4.38 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.46 seconds
- 20-yard split: 2.52 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.26 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 7.19 seconds
- Vertical jump: 36 inches
- Broad jump: 10 feet
- Bench: 14 reps at 225 lbs.
Relative Athletic Score: 8.94
SAF De'Javion "DJ" Stepney
Elevator Pitch:
Well-traveled defensive back with five years of special teams work. Best season was at Central Michigan in 2023, finishing with 40 tackles, a TFL, a sack and eight PBUs as subpackage safety. Also served as primary kickoff returner in 2023, with 26.8 yards per return average, earning third-team all-MAC honors at return specialist. Between Central Michigan, Marshall and Akron, collected 64 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and 10 pass break-ups.
Draft Projections:
- Lower-league tryout
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: five-foot-ten
- Weight: 201 lbs.
- Arms: 29 and three-eighth inches
- Hands: 8 and three-eighth inches
Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 4.72 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.56 seconds
- 20-yard split: 2.73 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.67 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 7.57 seconds
- Vertical jump: 36 inches
- Broad jump: nine feet, six inches
- Bench: 11 reps at 225 lbs.
Relative Athletic Score: 1.77
LB Gage Summers
Elevator Pitch:
A two-year contributor at linebacker who exploded onto the scene in 2024 with a program-record 19-tackle performance in upset win against Toledo in the final game of the season. Won starting job in 2025, finishing with 55 tackles, seven TFLs, 1.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Hustles on-field as a playmaker in the middle, but has notable athletic deficiencies for the pro level.
Draft Projections:
- Lower-league tryout
Measurables (as of Pro Day)
- Height: five-foot-eleven
- Weight: 230 lbs.
- Arms: 30 and one-half inches
- Hands: 9 and one-eighth inches
Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)
- 40-yard dash: 4.73 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.62 seconds
- 20-yard split: 2.75 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.50 seconds
- Three-cone drill: 7.71 seconds
- Vertical jump: 29 inches
- Broad jump: nine feet, two inches
- Bench: 21 reps at 225 lbs.
Relative Athletic Score: 2.45
