Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Jawanza Starling catches a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Jawanza Starling was active in Tuesday’s events of the 2013 NFL Combine, but his performance showed mixed results. One on hand, he performed reasonably well in measurable events, but his field drills could have been better.

Starling started off his combine experience by doing 17 reps in the bench press, a very solid number. He ran a 4.64 40-yard dash–which was in the range he wanted to post–but a quicker time would have been beneficial. He did well in the vertical and broad jumps, leaping up 36 inches and exploding out of his breaks for 122 inches across the field. But his best numbers came in the three-cone drill and the 60-yard shuffle where he was able to show his agility and foot movement. His times of 6.68 seconds and 11.62 respectively made him a top performer amongst his fellow safeties.

On the field though, things were a bit less dominant. He caught enough balls and showed his speed in game-like situations, but one of the most damning images of him came when he badly misjudged a pass and made an awkward leap at it, resulting in a dropped pass.

Starling would surely like to have that attempt back, as it is one that will undoubtedly stick around with coaches and scouts.

Fortunately for him, Starling has USC’s Pro Day in March to have one last go at these drills. As it stands now, he is sitting on the bubble between being a late round pick or a free agent.

November 17, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) is stopped by USC Trojans safety T.J. McDonald (7) in the first half of the game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Former Trojan TJ McDonald had a lot of work to do in this year’s NFL combine after a so-so season, and on Tuesday, he got it done. McDonald performed well enough to see his draft stock rise and to show that despite the struggles of his senior year, he still has much to offer a pro team.

The former Trojan went about setting himself apart from the pack quickly; he put up 19 reps in the bench press work out, making him a top performer amongst the safeties. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash, and posted a 40-inch vertical leap as well as a 131 in. broad jump. Like in the bench press, his vertical and broad jumps were among the top of his class In cone drills he looked very athletic, getting through the 3-cone drill in 6.89 seconds and the 20-yard shuffle in 4.2.

Like Robey, he performed very well in field drills, showing that he has very fluid mobility and can change direction with ease.

McDonald met with a number of NFL teams, and he brings to the table the advantage of having grown up in a house with a father that played in the league. As a result, he knows football extensively, but more specifically, has an acute awareness of the NFL and what is required to succeed at the next level.

Feeling good about how he did, McDonald took to Twitter to briefly quip about his experience in Indianapolis:

Preparation met opportunity

— TJ McDonald (@tmcdonaldjr) February 26, 2013

With his combine performance, experts say McDonald will now likely go in the middle rounds or higher in April’s NFL Draft.