Mory Bamba and Tanner Wall may not have been invited to the NFL combine, but had they been there, the pair of BYU defensive backs would have outperformed many other players at their position.
Wall and Bamba were the standout performers from BYU’s pro day held Friday in Provo, joining the 17 total players who participated in the event in some capacity.
It marked BYU’s first pro day back on campus since 2023, as the Big 12 had held a collective conference pro day in each of the past two seasons.
Friday’s event led a number of former Cougar stars and current NFL talents to attend the festivities at Provo’s indoor practice facility.
“That’s my job, trying to help as many of our guys get drafted and opportunities in free agency,” said BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. “It’s good to see former athletes here, some of them in the NFL, and it’s really exciting for me to see everybody.
“Honestly, the best thing is that our current team is watching this. They can visualize themselves doing this next year. For some of the freshmen, this is something they can look forward to. Being able to connect with former players and guys who are just graduating, it means a lot. I’m really proud of these guys and glad we can give them this environment and opportunity. I just wish we could’ve had it before, but that’s OK, we’ll keep building it now.”
The highlight of the day was Bamba’s 4.27 second 40-yard dash time, which would have topped all other cornerback prospects at the NFL combine.
Bamba also recorded a 11 feet, 1 inch broad jump, which would have ranked second among combine corners.
“Has some of the best size and speed I’ve seen at corner,” BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga said of Bamba. “If you go back to the Arizona game (in 2025), maybe the best game of his career, I think a lot of NFL scouts saw the ability he has with his size and speed, his physicality being a great tackler, one of the best gunners and jammers on special teams that I ever had and once again just that combination of size and speed.
“I know NFL scouts have loved this guy for two years now, and I know he’s going to perform well on pro day and give himself a chance to be a long NFL vet.”
Wall, meanwhile, posted a 37.5-inch vertical jump, a 10 feet 9 inch broad jump, a 4.13 second 20-yard shuttle and 6.8 second 3-cone drill, all marking impressive measures for a safety.
“Tanner Wall is going to go down as one of the all time greats in BYU history,” said Poppinga. “The play he made against Utah in the fourth quarter, where he goes up and intercepts the ball, is one of the iconic plays in BYU history and will never be forgotten.
“On top of that, (he’s) one of the greatest team captains I’ve ever been around. If you looked in the dictionary ‘what a BYU football player is,’ Tanner Wall would be the epitome of that guy. He’s going to be a guy we miss but we sure wish him luck in the future and know he will be an excellent professional football player.”
In addition to Bamba and Wall, the 2025 players at BYU pro day were tight end Carsen Ryan, defensive backs Talan Alfrey and Jayden Dunlap, defensive tackles Kaufusi Pakofe and John Taumoepeau, offensive linemen Isaiah Jatta, Weylin Lapuaho and Austin Leausa and specialists Will Ferrin and Garrison Grimes.
Wide receiver Chase Roberts and linebacker Jack Kelly, who each took part in the NFL combine a few weeks ago, were part of Friday’s pro day as well.
“Being at the combine and watching it on TV, it feels like it was two different events. It’s a crazy feeling,” Kelly said. “As a kid, you dream of this, so I’m just being grateful for everything, taking it one step at a time, and continuing to work hard to get better.”
The event also welcomed three players from BYU’s 2024 squad — running back Hinckley Ropati, defensive back Marque Collins and quarterback Jake Retzlaff, the latter of whom provided the throwing for skill position drills.
“I think he’s got a great arm. I think he’ll have a great shot (professionally). That’s why we brought him here, so he can show that,” Sitake said of his former QB.
“We have a good history with some quarterbacks that are still in the league. I think he’ll be just fine in the NFL. It’s just a matter of timing and getting the right support.”
Here are some of the results from BYU’s 2026 pro day.
| Name | 40-yard dash | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talan Alfrey | 4.63 | 28.5 inches | 9 feet, 9 inches | 13 reps |
| Mory Bamba | 4.27 | 36.5 inches | 11 feet, 1 inch | 13 reps |
| Jayden Dunlap | 4.49 | 30 inches | 10 feet, 5 inches | n/a |
| Garrison Grimes | 4.52 | 32.5 inches | 9 feet, 7 inches | 22 reps |
| Isaiah Jatta | 5.15 | 27.5 inches | 9 feet, 1 inch | n/a |
| Weylin Lapuaho | 5.03 | 27.5 inches | 9 feet, 5 inches | n/a |
| Austin Leausa | 5.03 | 28.5 inches | 9 feet, 7 inches | 21 reps |
| Kaufusi Pakofe | 5.58 | 22.5 inches | 7 feet, 8 inches | 39 reps |
| Hinckley Ropati | 4.57 | 35 inches | 10 feet, 7 inches | 28 reps |
| Carsen Ryan | 4.66 | 33.5 inches | 9 feet, 7 inches | 23 reps |
| John Taumoepeau | 4.87 | 30 inches | 9 feet, 3 inches | 27 reps |
| Tanner Wall | 4.57 | 37.5 inches | 10 feet, 9 inches | 14 reps |