PROVO — There were plenty of sights at BYU’s Pro Day but one thing that stood out: The Cougars should have had more players that NFL scouts took seriously.
Only one BYU senior, defensive end Bronson Kaufusi, was invited to the NFL Combine in February. During Friday’s BYU Pro Day, Kaufusi drew a lot of attention, but he didn’t lift or run the 40-yard dash. He did a few movement drills but let his combine numbers speak for him. In coming days, he’ll work out with individual NFL teams and he's expected to be taken anywhere from the third to the fourth round and could sneak into the late second.
But only one guy a sure draft pick? Southern Utah had three players invited to the NFL Combine.
BYU should produce more.
In future seasons, expect more Cougars to be invited to the combine. That's due to talent, especially at quarterback. But some of that will be because of connections and relationships starting with new coach Kalani Sitake, assistant head coach Ed Lamb and offensive coordinator Ty Detmer.
A number of scouts sought out Detmer after the formal drills and tests inside the indoor practice facility. I overheard someone tell Detmer they’d love to talk to him about his quarterbacks when the time came.
Indeed, Taysom Hill, who was watching from the sidelines, is one candidate. Nose tackle Travis Tuiloma, safety Kai Nacua, linebacker Harvey Langi, running backs Jamaal Williams and Algernon Brown, O-lineman Kyle Johnson and corner Michael Davis are among candidates who might get hard looks for inclusion at the 2017 combine.
In the meantime, receiver Mitch Mathews and linebacker Manoa Pikula certainly helped their pro résumés during this exercise.
For Mathews, who was not invited to the combine, this was a motivating factor that drove him the past three months while he worked out in Indianapolis.
“I didn’t get invited to the NFL combine so I had a chip on my shoulder,” said Mathews, who had personal bests in the broad jump at 10-feet, 1-inch, a 38-inch vertical jump and a 40-yard dash time that will go down in the mid-4.4 seconds. All dash times are unofficial and closely guarded by individual scouts, but word around the finish line was the 6-5 Mathews ran times ranging from 4.38to 4.49
Pikula’s vertical was 36 1/2 inches. He benched 225 pounds 24 times and was timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40.
Other Cougar players performing included Devon Blackmon, Adam Hine, Terenn Houk, Teu Kautai, Ryker Mathews, Graham Rowley, Trevor Samson and Michael Wadsworth. Former player Ross Apo also took part.
There was only one QB throwing to receivers at BYU’s Pro Day and he was a former Cougar. Former Alta High and Southern Utah star Ammon Olsen took all the reps and was impressive with his ball speed and accuracy. He will also participate in SUU’s Pro Day next week in Cedar City.
“I like it, it was fun and the receivers were great,” said Olsen. “The ball was coming out good today.”
Olsen felt good about his chances to get a good look by NFL teams. He also expressed confidence that his SUU coach Lamb, now BYU’s assistant head coach, will be a key factor in identifying and developing future talent for the Cougars. Olsen joined SUU receiver Justin Brown at this pro day.
“When I first heard he got the job, I called him. I wasn’t sure he’d answer, but he did. I was so happy for him. He is a great coach. He is a great recruiter. He sees talent quickly. I love how he treated us and I’m happy for him and wish him great success.”
With Pro Day out of the way, Sitake will take BYU’s football team through a spring game Saturday (2 p.m.) at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Here’s a primer: If you expect to see a Blue-White game with extended strategy, staging of star players and an unveiling of a new Detmer offense and 4-3 defense, you’ll leave disappointed and frustrated. If you come to see players, watch a few big plays, breathe in some football and see the team and staff chemistry on display, you’ll be fed.
Sitake has one chance to spring new things at the Arizona Wildcats in the 2016 opener. So this game will be vanilla, watered down and a shroud will be put on what is actual reality.
The new coach declared in a press release Friday, he wanted to put on “an exciting” event Saturday. On the other hand, his staff is designing a defanged Cougar Blue-White game.
Be aware.
Come prepared.
EMAIL: dharmon@deseretnews.com.
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