Courtesy University of Texas
It was a big weekend for three Carroll Dragon alumni.
On the gridiron, former footballers Quinn Ewers and R.J. Mickens showcased their skills at the annual National Football League Scouting Combine over four days in Indianapolis. And, former Dragon Paul Bonzagni received love from "The Dallas Morning News" in a rundown of the Texas Rangers current minor league baseball system.
Ewers, one of the more hyped quarterback prospects coming out of high school ever, declared for the NFL Draft following a loss by his University of Texas Longhorns to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. He has been tabbed as anywhere from a late first-round selection to a third- or fourth-round pick. Mickens, who played wide receiver for Carroll and transitioned to defensive back at Clemson University, was a four-year player who could be a Day 2 or Day 3 draft pick.
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso ranked Ewers as one of his "winners" at the combine, give the former Dragon and Longhorn a grade of B-plus and noting Ewers "was calm and under control on all routes to all levels with good, not amazing accuracy and timing."
Mickens was lauded for his speed during the 40-yard dash, with NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah praising his time of 4.50 seconds. Mickens also ran the sprint again and finished with an official 40-yard dash time of 4.49 -- eighth fastest among all potential NFL safeties that ran the 40.
"That’s a good time," Jeremiah said during the network’s coverage. "That 4.54 number is a good target here. So anything going south of that is outstanding."
Bonzagni, who graduated from Carroll in 2020 and went to Weatherford College and Southern Illinois to play baseball, was drafted by the Rangers in the 12th round in 2023. A pitcher with multiple plus-pitches, The Morning News' Evan Grant profiled Bonzagni over the weekend as "a potential breakthrough pitcher" in the Rangers organization thanks to his "turbo sinker...and a legitimate slider that made him a ground ball demon." Grant also ranked Bonzagni as the no. 23 overall prospect in the Rangers system.
"He finished [2024] as strong as anyone in the system," Grant wrote. "He has started working on a split finger pitch as a changeup, which most likely will be the ultimate determining factor in whether he’s got a future as a starter or if he’s destined to return to bullpen work."