LINCOLN — Unable to give it his best shot a year ago, Armando Murillo wanted to try again.

The former Nebraska cornerback took part in the Huskers' pro day on Thursday, joined by I-back Marlon Lucky, receiver Frantz Hardy and defensive lineman Shukree Barfield as those who completed their college careers after the 2008 season.

Murillo said he had been running 40-yard dashes in the low to mid-4.4 range, and hoped that's what he produced for NFL scouts and personnel at the Hawks Center.

“It felt pretty good,” he said. “I'm hoping it's pretty good.”

Murillo tried to run at last year's pro day but was bothered by a pulled hamstring, which ultimately worsened and led to his release by Tampa Bay. Murillo worked out last fall at Alabama, where his brother Javier Arenas was a senior, before returning to Lincoln for the winter.

NU defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said Murillo does face a hurdle as somebody out of the game for a year.

“We'll see, but I think he's a heck of a cover guy,” Pelini said. “Whether it's the NFL or Canada, it'll be interesting to see if somebody gave him a chance how he would do.”

Asante's 40 faster than in combine

Larry Asante had one goal in mind Thursday: Better his 4.62-second 40-yard dash from the NFL Combine.

The safety said he ran a 4.55. It helped being healthy after aggravating a sore hamstring two weeks before going to Indianapolis.

“Everybody wants to run faster, but I'm satisfied,” he said. “They said they wanted to see me anywhere in the 4.5 range — and that's what they got today.”

Also running a solid 40 was receiver Chris Brooks, who reportedly was clocked at 4.43 seconds.

Dillard improves in two other drills

Former NU linebacker Phillip Dillard notched his desired 40 time at the NFL Combine. So he set out to improve two other marks.

It worked, as Dillard said he dropped from 4.4 seconds to 4.29 in the pro-agility run and bumped his broad jump from 8 feet to 9 feet, 4 inches.

All in all, Dillard said NU strength and conditioning coach James Dobson told him he moved the best he's seen him move.

Dillard was at just over 4.6 seconds in his 40 at the combine.

“That was fine,” he said. “If I ran that, I was like, ‘I'm not ever running this again.' I don't want to contradict it by running something slower the next time.”

Rams' coach, GM drop in to see Suh

St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and General Manager Billy Devaney came to see Ndamukong Suh on Thursday after visiting Gerald McCoy at Oklahoma's pro day on Thursday.

The two defensive tackles are considered potential picks for St. Louis at No. 1 in the draft.

Suh took part in everything at the NFL Combine, so had little to prove Thursday. Pelini said he “kind of was in the background today” as he only did some position drills.

Asked to weigh in on the Suh vs. McCoy debate, Pelini only wanted to comment on the player who helped Nebraska be one of the best defenses in the country last season.

“I just think Suh is the total package,” he said. “He can do it all. He can rush like an end, he's as physical as any kid I've ever watched play and he just dominates football games.”

— Rich Kaipust

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