Call it the “Margus Hunt Effect.”

Scouts, assistant coaches and perhaps general managers from around the NFL will converge on the Hilltop for SMU’s Pro Day, when they’ll measure, weigh, test and time the 2012 seniors who are hoping for a chance to play professionally. It happens every year at schools across the country.

This year’s SMU Pro Day will be a little different, though, with as many as a half a dozen players whose last game was in 2011 or before also will work out again for NFL scouts, in what might be their last chances to catch the attention of NFL teams. Two of the players, former defensive end Marquis Frazier and quarterback Kyle Padron, visited with PonyFans.com to discuss Pro Day.

DE Marquis Frazier

“With all the guys who are coming in to see Margus, it’s smart to do it again,” Frazier said. “Everyone was watching him at the Combine, and teams are going to want to see him again. If I do what I can do, I’ll make someone notice me.

Former SMU defensive end Marquis Frazier says the hype surrounding former teammate Margus Hunt could end up helping several former Mustangs catch the attention of NFL scouts (photo by SMU athletics).

“What Margus is doing … he should go in the first round. Scouts and coaches will be here, maybe even GMs. All 32 teams are going to be here.”

Frazier is in better shape this year than he was at Pro Day last year. His weight has gone from 276 last year to about 280 this year, but he is leaner, thanks in part to his decision to avoid red meat and pork for the last eight months. He also is lifting weights more, after training for last year’s Pro Day with a regimen based largely on just running.

“It was a choice about being healthier,” he said. “I ended (eating red meat) on a good note, when I got a giant steak, but I feel better now.”

Frazier said he wants to weigh 285-290 pounds for Pro Day this year.

“Last year, I did a lot of running, and not as many weights,” he said, “and the way I was eating wasn’t right, because I wasn’t getting enough nutrition back in. I was in good running shape, but I could have performed better.

On what can be a stressful day for pro football hopefuls, Frazier said he has what amounts to an insurance plan: a contract from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

“I also have one from Toronto,” Frazier said, “but Winnipeg bought my CFL rights. I’m not really sure how that all works. But I have that contract if nothing comes out of Pro Day. They understand (that Frazier is hoping for a chance in the NFL), but if it doesn’t happen, I can go up there for a little while.

A year ago, Frazier bench pressed the NFL-standard 225 pounds 23 times, and ran a “4.8-something” in the 40-yard dash. This year, he said he hopes to do about 27 reps and run in the 4.7s, if not faster. “I broad jumped 9-8 and my vertical was 33 or 34 inches,” he said. “Those should be about the same this year.”

QB Kyle Padron

Once projected as a potential four-year starter at SMU, Padron transferred to Eastern Washington when he “saw a better opportunity” for more playing time elsewhere.

“I understand some people didn’t like the fact that I left, and that’s OK — that makes sense,” he said. “But I was coming up on my last year of eligibility, and I’m really competitive, and I still wanted to play. I thought I had a better chance to play at Eastern Washington. I loved my years at SMU, and I have maintained a lot of friends here.”

Padron, who said he now carries 223 pounds (seven fewer pounds than his playing weight at SMU) on his 6-4 frame, threw for NFL scouts at Eastern Washington’s Pro Day, but will throw with his former teammates when professional scouts and coaches are at Ford Stadium for Wednesday’s Pro Day.

Padron said he ended up at EWU in part because of the urging of former SMU teammate Bo Levi Mitchell, who made the same move the previous year. Padron said he expected more of the town of Cheney, Wash., but said he loved his season with the Eagles.

“I didn’t know it was such a country town, but it’s a great college town,” Padron said. “I had a great time up there.”

Former SMU quarterback Kyle Padron was named Most Valuable Player of the 2009 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl (photo by Travis Johnston).

In his lone season at EWU, Padron completed 175 of 296 passes (59.1 percent) for 2,491 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He set a few school records, including throwing six touchdown passes in a single game.

“I wouldn’t trade it (his season at EWU) for anything,” Padron said. “I learned a lot about live and I learned about myself. I missed my friends and family, but the experience really helped me grow up. I went up there not knowing anyone, and I was forced to learn a new offense and establish new relationships with my teammates and coaches and friends away from football. I was able to learn a new system and grow into a leadership role.”

At Eastern Washington’s Pro Day, Padron said he threw well and ran a 4.7-second 40. (“That was better than I thought I would run,” he said. “I threw pretty well, but I knew I needed another opportunity to throw for scouts.”) He drew the most interest from the Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks and the Cleveland Browns.

When he left SMU, Padron said head coach June Jones and associate head coach/offense Dan Morrison both expressed disappointment in Padron’s decision, but understood his desire for more likely playing time, and they told him they would continue to support him and welcome him at SMU.

“They were great,” Padron said. “Coach Jones said he wanted me to stay, but he understood — he transferred three times when he was in college. They both were very supportive, and we talked and traded texts during the year. They said I’m still part of the family — they were very supportive, which honestly, they didn’t have to be.

“So I talked to Coach Morrison a few weeks ago, and I brought it (the idea of throwing at SMU’s Pro Day) up to him,” Padron said. “I’m lucky that they’re giving me this chance, but they need someone to throw, and I need another opportunity to throw, so it worked out well.”

Padron said he realized Jones and Morrison are under no obligation to welcome him back, even for Pro Day, and he is grateful for the chance. At the same time, he doesn’t regret his decision to transfer.

“I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “Leaving SMU was really hard to do, because it’s a great school, a great place. Looking back, maybe there was more of an opportunity for me to compete here, maybe there wasn’t, but Eastern Washington was great for me.

“Like I said, I learned so much. Further down the line, I’m going to be a coach, and being able to go up there and pick up another offense was great experience for me.”

On Pro Day, Padron said he wants simply to improve on the numbers he put up at EWU’s Pro Day.

“I’m going to try to run (the 40) faster, and improve on the shuttle drills,” Padron said. “The ‘L drill’ — that, I feel I can improve. I ran a 7.4, but in training I ran a 6.9, a 7.0.

“I have always wanted to play this game as long as I could. I want to coach in college, maybe start out somewhere as a (graduate assistant) and then a position coach, and maybe one day become a high school head coach, because in high school, you can teach them about football, but you also can teach them about relationships with other people, about responsibility. I feel like I have a good base of understanding offense, but I still have a lot to learn.”

Padron has been on campus several times recently, training and throwing with former teammates. He said he understands that not all PonyFans agree with his decision to transfer, but he is glad that he gets to go out on a college field for the last time in the same place where he began his college career.

“I know some people will say things, and that’s OK,” he said. “The players and coaches have been great, welcoming me back. Everyone says, ‘don’t pay attention’ to the negative, and you try to do that, but you hear it, and sometimes it can hurt. But all I can do is try to do the best I can, on the football field and as a man off the field.

“I have wanted to play in the NFL for as long as I can remember. I don’t know if I’ll get drafted or not, but if I do, I assume it would be in the sixth or seventh round. If not, I feel like I’ll get a chance as a free agent somewhere. The CFL is another option — I did an open tryout for the Calgary Stampeders, and (former SMU teammate) Chris Banjo and I were two of six players, out of about 60 or 65, who they asked to stick around and do a little extra, so maybe there’s a chance there, too. We’ll see.”