NOTRE DAME, Ind. — For nine former Notre Dame football players, Thursday was another step in their “Path to the Draft.”

Twenty eight of the 32 National Football League teams sent representatives to the Loftus Center to take a look at those players, who were participating in Notre Dame’s annual Pro Day.

Displaying their talents, speed, strength and agility were Armando Allen, Robert Hughes, Duval Kamara, Kerry Neal, Brian Smith, Chris Stewart, Darrin Walls, Ian Williams and the one of the top prizes in the upcoming NFL Draft — tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Rudolph is considered one of the top tight end prospects in the 2011 draft. He is heavily sought after by several NFL teams. Rudolph, who had his last two seasons cut short due to injuries, was the center of attention on Thursday as the scouts wanted a first-hand look at how Rudolph has responded to surgery to repair his hamstring.

Rudolph had the surgery six months ago today. He said he felt good and he was healthy and ready to begin his NFL career.

Rudolph is skipping his final season at Notre Dame to enter the draft.

On Thursday, he recorded a verticle jump of 34.5 inches, a broad jump fo 9-foot-5, had 19 repetitions in the bench press and ran a 4.78 and 4.80 in the 40-yard dash.

He also posted a time of 4.37 in both attempts at the pro agility drill, a time of 7.24 in the 3 Cone Drill and a times of 12.30 and 12.23 in the 60-yard shuttle.

“They wanted to see if I was healthy,” Rudolph said following the workouts. “You can say I’m healthy, people can tell them I’m healthy, but until you see it — with as severe an injury as I had, to be back to normal six months later — it’s tough. Not many people do it. They heard it, and everyone told them I was healthy. But to finally come out here and see it is what they really wanted.”

While his 40-yard dash time won’t open a lot of eyes in NFL circles, Rudolph was fine with it.

“It’s OK,” he said. “I put up a number and now people have it on paper. It’s not the fastest, it’s not a record, but it’s fast enough. And it’ll only improve as I keep training.”

Rudolph spent three months rehabing the injury with Notre Dame team doctors before heading west to Redondo Beach, Calif. to work out with the Velocity Sports Performance facility with several of the other top prospects in this year’s draft.

Scout Inc. has Rudolph listed as the 25th overall pick.

Hughes probably opened a few eyes Thursday and that was before he even stepped foot on the Loftus Center artifical turf.

Hughes dropped 14 pounds, trimming down from a season weight of 240 to 226.

“I just did cardio and bust my tail, working out twice a day and eating right,” Hughes said of his weight loss. “I changed my diet a lot and it really helped. There is no question it is going to change the way I play and help my God-given abilities. Especially with the right diet and with the work ethic.”

Allen is also recovered from an injury sustained during his final season at Notre Dame. Allen suffered from a hip flexor injury, which was surgically repaired in November.

“The hip felt great,” Allen said. “It is finally back to 100 percent. I t was tough to stay off it when I really wanted to train, bit I did, and for the last month it has felt good. Right now, I’m feeling pretty calm about draft day.”

The opening round of the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York is Thursday, April 28 at 8 p.m. Rounds 2-3 will be held on Friday with rounds 4-7 being held Saturday.

Armando Allen: 31.5-inch vertical; 10-foot broad jump; 4.58/4.59 40-yard dash; 4.12/4.15 pro agility; 7.10-second 3 Cone Drill; 11.45/11.57 60-yard shuttle

Robert Hughes: 32-inch vertical; 9-foot-4 broad jump; 26 bench press reps; 4.89/4.89  40-yard dash; 4.66/4.69 pro agility; 7.26-second 3 Cone Drill; 12.14/12.13 60-yard shuttle

Duval Kamara: 32.5-inch vertical; 10-foot-1 broad jump; 11 bench press reps; 4.84/4.75 40-yard dash; 4.49/4.48 pro agility; 7.41-second 3 Cone Drill; 11.78/11.70 60-yard shuttle

Kerry Neal: 27.5-inch vertical; 9-foot-3 broad jump; 24 bench press reps; 5.17/5.15 40-yard dash; 4.60/4.54 pro agility; 7.43-second 3 Cone Drill; 12.41 60-yard shuttle

Kyle Rudolph: 34.5-inch vertical; 9-foot-5 broad jump; 19 bench press reps; 4.78/4.80 40-yard dash; 4.37/4.37 pro agility; 7.24-second 3 Cone Drill; 12.30/12.23 60-yard shuttle

Brian Smith: 30.5-inch vertical; 9-foot-5 broad jump; 15 bench press reps; 4.72/4.82 40-yard dash; 4.31/4.30 pro agility; 7.18-second 3 Cone Drill; 11.89/11.84 60-yard shuttle

Chris Stewart: 28-inch vertical; 7-foot-8 broad jump; 24 bench press reps; 5.57/5.58 40-yard dash; 4.92/4.90 pro agility; 7.69-second 3 Cone Drill

Darrin Walls: 28.5-inch vertical; 10-foot-2 broad jump; 15 bench press reps; 4.39/4.42 40-yard dash; 4.18/4.15 pro agility; 6.88-second 3 Cone Drill; 10.85/10.82 60-yard shuttle

Ian Williams: 5.10/5.20 40-yard dash; 7.75-second 3 Cone Drill