College Pro-Day is not an open try-out ...
The NFL has certain rules regarding college Pro Days - the NFL has certain things that are not up for debate - not optional or open to variation by the individual institution hosting the 2017 Pro Day - there is documentation that must be put together - and it must conform to the NFL's requirements - and those requirements reflect the input / influences of the collective bargaining agreement / the various player safety rules / and probably dozens of other matters.... if you are a football player - but your credentials are not in order - and/or don't match the NFL's specs - the NFL team will not talk to you.
and the requirements appear to have evolved over the years - especially as -
"The National Football League launched the NFL Regional/Super Regional Combines program in
2012 to serve as a supplement to the League’s National Scouting Combine. They are designed to provide an opportunity for participants to display their pro potential."
"Participation in the NFL Regional Combine Series is limited to players who are eligible for the 2017 Draft who played college football during the 2016 season with no remaining NCAA eligibility. The NFL Regional Combine Series is not open to players who are NFL free agents (players that have been eligible for a previous NFL Draft). The cost to participate in the NFL Regional Combines is $160."
source:
https://www.nflregionalcombines.com/
There is also another 800 pound gorilla involved in some aspects of "Pro-Day" - the NCAA - and there are requirements that they have as well
There is
ZERO question that the NCAA
and the NFL have a list of
"THOU SHALL" & "THOU SHALL NOT"s .... items
not up for discussion
not open for debate
and then beyond that -
it seems that the NFL may also have some items along the lines of -
"This is how we would like the day to run ..." ... there may instances where the NFL guys tell a school - "we have to be in & out in about the shortest amount of time possible - so let's not let things run long" -
Have not seen any a hard & fast specific set of restrictions regarding College Pro Days - but it is clear that they have to conform to many NFL rules - but what wiggle room a local college / university may have regarding participation is not clear - and something that may have happened in 2009 or 2013 does not automatically mean it is an option in 2017.
limited to players who are eligible for the 2017 Draft is frequently mentioned - and that would still allow certain players from a prior year if they never entered the NFL
Hard to see how a Free Agent with NFL playing time like Beauharnais could get to participate - and if he could - why not Free Agent Kenny Brit?
Bottom line - there are unknowns - so to haul off and emphatically blame it all on Ash is wrong.