Ijalana had surgery for a double sports hernia on Dec. 28, shortly after Villanova lost to Eastern Washington in the Football Championship Series (formerly Division I-AA) semifinals. He is widely projected to be picked anywhere from late first round to late second round, but a full report on him has yet to be made because of the surgery.
So it was a big day for Big Ben. He said he was about 80 percent physically, and he decided not to risk a setback by declining the bench press. But if he was feeling pressure, he didn't show it.
"I'm happy I was able to put together the display that I did," Ijalana said after concluding the four-hour ordeal. "I feel like I did well. I think I'm only going to get better the more time I get to heal and gain strength. So I'm pleased. It's exciting to get back out there after so many months. It's my first real test since, well, the Eastern Washington game."
Asked what kind of feedback he got from the scouts, he responded: "They said I did well and to keep up the work and that once you get in the NFL you have to work harder."
Ijalana will continue trying to make up for lost time next week, when he begins visiting teams. He will work out for the Eagles next week. Baltimore, Buffalo, and Denver will also put him through the paces.
Ijalana's agent, Tony Agnone, is well prepared to combat what he views as a bias against Division I-AA players.
"I think there's always a prejudice against a guy from a smaller school, so obviously if any team wants to downgrade Ben, that's an excuse," Agnone said. "The level of competition is what they always argue, but if you look around . . ."
Agnone then rattled off the names of several NFL standouts from non-BCS schools.
"There are plenty of I-AA guys in the league, and they have to understand that," he said.
Agnone said several NFL teams view Ijalana as either a guard or tackle. Ijalana will become the first Villanova player drafted since tight end Matt Sherry was picked by Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 2007 draft.
Contact staff writer Ray Parrillo at 215-854-2743 or rparrillo@phillynews.com.
