Four former BYU football players have been invited to participate in the NFL scouting combine this week in Indianapolis.
Safety Aaron Francisco, defensive end/linebacker Brady Poppinga, offensive lineman Scott Young and punter/placekicker Matt Payne are among those hoping to improve their stock in the upcoming NFL draft (April 23-24).
One scouting service rates Payne No. 2 among punters in this year's draft crop, and No. 4 among kickers. The Associated Press second-team All-American and first-team all-Mountain West Conference performer played in the East-West Shrine Game and Hula Bowl in January.
Payne stands in second place on BYU's all-time scoring list and owns the school record of 67 consecutive extra points. In his collegiate career, the North Ogden native booted a pair of 53-yard field goals and boasts a 79-yard punt. He also set an NCAA record with 13 consecutive field goals from 40-49 yards, breaking the mark Notre Dame's John Carney had held since 1985.
Poppinga, another member of the all-MWC first-team, holds the conference career record for sacks with 20. As a three-year starter, Poppinga was the leader of the Cougar defense. The Evanston, Wyo., native, played his first three seasons at defensive end, then, was switched to linebacker for his senior campaign. He recorded 79 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, six sacks, five quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 2004. Poppinga played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl.
Francisco, named to the all-MWC first-team in 2004, played in 49 consecutive games during his Cougar career. As part of coach Bronco Mendenhall's blitz-based 3-3-5 defensive scheme, Francisco played a major role on the BYU defense as the "cougarback," recording 88 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and seven pass breakups last season. The Laie, Hawaii, native played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl.
Young, a second-team all-MWC performer, started all 11 games last season at offensive guard and provided pass protection for the top-ranked passing offense in MWC games. After prepping at Hillcrest High, Young moved on to Dixie State College, where he was a two-year starter and earned junior college all-America honors as a defensive lineman. He transferred to BYU and played on the D-line for one season before redshirting in 2003 and moving to the O-line. He played in the All-American Classic in Las Vegas last month.
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com