Doss prepares for NFL Draft

While other NFL Draft prospects are getting an opportunity to improve their stock through the Senior Bowl and other events, former IU wide receiver Tandon Doss is working behind the scenes.

Doss said he knows that since he decided to forgo his senior season to enter the draft, he has to make good use of every opportunity to show his talent through events like pro days and the NFL Combine.

For the last month Doss has been training near Sarasota, Fla., in an effort to get himself ready for those events. He wakes up at 6 a.m. and begins conditioning drills at 8 a.m. From there, Doss practices some of the drills, such as the 40-yard dash, which he will encounter at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis during the final week of February.

Doss, a former Ben Davis High School standout, then works with other wide receivers for about 90 minutes before breaking for lunch. After that, it’s on to weightlifting and more combine drills before finishing the day at about 4 or 5 p.m.

Former NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde is among the notable individuals leading
the drills.

“He does everything with us,” Doss said. “He’s there to give us pointers, and he’s trying to stay in shape himself. He loves the game, and he just wants to be part of the group.”

Early projections say Doss will be taken in either the third or fourth round because of the deep class of receivers this year.

According to Rivals.com, Doss is ranked behind Georgia’s A.J. Green, Alabama’s Julio Jones, Maryland’s Torrey Smith, Oklahoma’s Ryan Broyles and Pittsburgh’s Jon Baldwin.

Doss said he knows that anything could significantly affect his draft status, but he said he’s not worried about any of that. He just wants to enjoy the journey and continue to improve.

“There’s always going to be pressure, but you can’t focus on that,” Doss said. “You just have to trust in your abilities and be confident. I pray a lot — that keeps me focused and clears my mind. I don’t really worry about 40 times or anything like that. I just want to learn as much as I can while I’m here and make the most of my opportunity.”

Doss proud of Brewer

Former IU offensive lineman James Brewer made headlines earlier this week when he reportedly dominated the competition at the Senior Bowl.

Doss said he heard about Brewer’s success and is ‘proud of him.’

“We never get the props that we deserve at Indiana,” Doss said. “It’s great to hear one of your teammates could go that high in the draft. I hope he continues to work hard and doesn’t let all of this talk get to his head.”