For a guy out to prove himself as an NFL-caliber talent, David McMillan sure helped his cause Monday.

McMillan, a former Kansas University defensive end, clocked one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among his group of defensive linemen at the prestigious NFL scouting combine workouts Monday in Indianapolis.

McMillan finished his best sprint in 4.58 seconds, according to the NFL Network. In all, 26 defensive linemen ran in McMillan’s group, including All-Americans and likely first-round picks.

It was yet another example of McMillan’s solid athleticism at the defensive-lineman position, something KU fans saw often in 2004 when McMillan registered seven sacks and was named first team All-Big 12 Conference by the coaches.

Scouts generally are more concerned with the first 10 yards of the dash for defensive linemen, but McMillan is a possibility to move to outside linebacker if he gets a shot in the NFL. He measured 6-foot-3, 262 pounds, a gain from the 255 pounds KU listed him at in 2004.

Many of McMillan’s workouts were shown live on the NFL Network (Sunflower Broadband Channel 140) on Monday. Though some of the defensive linemen, notably Texas A&M’s Mike Montgomery, showed obvious fatigue by the end of the two-hour session, McMillan appeared solid throughout.

Several former Big 12 defensive-line standouts took part in the combine workouts Monday, including Montgomery, Missouri’s C.J. Mosley, Nebraska’s Benard Thomas, Oklahoma’s Lynn McGruder and Baylor’s Khari Long.

• Pro Day planned: Interested NFL scouts wanting another glimpse of McMillan will get a chance when several former Jayhawks will show off at KU’s NFL Pro Day, tentatively scheduled for the week of March 13. Along with McMillan, former Jayhawks such as offensive lineman Joe Vaughn, wide receiver Brandon Rideau and tight end Lyonel Anderson are expected to work out for several scouts in Anschutz Sports Pavilion.
• Camp dates set: KU announced dates for football camps and the 2005 coaches clinic.

The coaches clinic will be Friday and Saturday and feature speeches from current KU assistants as well as selected Kansas high school coaches, including Eudora’s Gregg Webb.

In addition, KU will hold several camps in June for anyone entering sixth through 12th grade in 2005. Included in the schedule are two satellite camps (June 1st in Wichita and June 10th in Coffeyville) as well as camps specifically suited for linemen and kickers, a team camp and overnight skills camps.

For more information, contact George Matsakis, KU’s director of football operations, at 864-3392.

• Kinsey resurfaces: So, whatever became of troubled former KU quarterback Mario Kinsey?

The former two-sport Jayhawk, who played guard for the basketball team and quarterback for the football team in 2000 and 2001 before being shown the door by KU coach Mark Mangino, re-emerged at Sam Houston State with similar results — attempting to play two sports and eventually leaving the school for disciplinary reasons.

Now, he’s at Texas College, an NAIA school in Tyler, Texas, concentrating on basketball. He’s averaged 14.6 points per game this season.

He told the Tyler Morning Telegraph he would like to coach after his playing days were over, and his troubles at KU and Sam Houston made him wise up.

“I made some stupid mistakes. What it’s done is put confidence in myself,” Kinsey told the paper. “Back then, when I made those choices, I wasn’t believing in myself.”