Diligence and a heavy dose of faith paid off for Jason Allen.

He said he would come back better than ever.

Apparently, he has.

The former University of Tennessee cornerback wowed scouts at the NFL combine last month in Indianapolis.

On Wednesday at UT’s Neyland-Thompson Sports Center, he wowed them again at Pro Day workouts.

"Indy was my coming out party, showing people I was back and better than ever," Allen said of his recovery from last season’s hip injury suffered against Georgia.

"It’s hard work, discipline, dedication and keeping the faith. I just thank God for bringing me back. A lot of people thought I’d be out for my career and never have a chance to play in the NFL."

Those people didn’t understand Allen’s drive.

He worked out and rehabbed six to eight hours a day.

He was off crutches a week before Christmas and running the second week of January, basically a month ahead of schedule.

Allen couldn’t compete at the Senior Bowl on Jan. 28, but he made the trip to Mobile, Ala., and let everyone know he was the same player some had pegged as a potential top-10 draft pick going into his senior season at UT.

"A lot of teams thought I was still on crutches at that time," Allen said. "I told them I was going to run at the combine, and even then, they thought I was joking or kidding around."

It wasn’t a joke.

"After I ran a 4.39 (40-yard dash) at Indy and did the drills, it has been crazy," Allen said. "My agent was telling me teams have said myself and Vernon Davis of Maryland had two of the best combines.

"Everyone’s calling wanting to set up visits and have me work out again."

San Francisco, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and the New York Jets are just a few of the teams Allen mentioned as wanting to take a closer look.

"I just want to continue working hard and prove to every owner and every general manager that I still have top 10-talent and I’m the best defensive back in this draft," Allen said.

"You never know. All you need is one team to fall in love with you."

Another former UT player was definitely interested in Allen’s progress on Wednesday.

Reggie McKenzie, former Austin-East great and director of pro personnel for the Green Bay Packers, came home to Knoxville to watch the latest crop of UT’s NFL hopefuls.

"The key was to see Jason move around," McKenzie said of Allen’s defensive back drills. "Our people compared (his injury) to (Kansas City running back) Priest Holmes, and we know what he had to go through.

"To see this guy go through this thing so quick, he’s ready to show the NFL what he is made of. It’s a great credit to him."

Allen kept his day fairly light, working strictly on the individual defensive back drills after the times he posted at Indianapolis.

Eighteen other former Vols worked out for the scouts.

Running back Gerald Riggs, coming off of a season-ending ankle injury suffered against Alabama, didn’t work out at the combine, but ran a 4.59 in the 40 on Wednesday.

"I’m probably around 85 percent," he said. "I went at it pretty hard and showed them I’m in pretty decent shape."

Linebacker Kevin Simon hopes NFL teams look past his size (5-foot-9, 233 pounds) and into his heart.

"I just wish they’d watch tape, because that’s where I’m going to shine, on the football field," Simon said. "I just hope I find a niche and find a good team where I can show my talents and use what Tennessee has taught me."

Offensive guard Rob Smith said he hasn’t second-guessed his decision to leave UT with one-year of eligibility remaining.

"If I get a shot, I have no doubt I’ll make a team and they’ll be happy with what they get," he said. "They’ll get a guy who is consistent and is going to go after it every single down."

Smith, who has been training in Knoxville with Charlie Petrone, did 37 reps in the bench press, second only to offensive lineman Albert Toeaina at 38.

Receiver Chris Hannon ran the fastest 40-yard time of the day, going 4.37.