NFL Draft Profile: BYU S Skye PoVey

Skye PoVey may be the most interesting NFL prospect out of BYU this season. Prior to his performance at BYU's Pro Day, PoVey wasn't on anyone's radar as an NFL prospect. In fact, there's probably a few PoVey haters reading this and thinking there is no way the former BYU safety makes it in the NFL.

Whether or not PoVey can work his way onto an NFL team via the draft or as a priority free agent is yet to be seen, but PoVey definitely turned some heads on Pro Day.

Here are PoVey's results from Pro Day via nfldraftscout.com (and where that performance would have placed at the NFL combine):

40-yard dash - 4.56 - top 10

225 lb bench - 17 reps - top 5

Vertical jump - 37 inches - top 5

Broad jump - 123 inches - top 5

20-yard shuttle - 4.02 - 2nd

3-cone drill - 6.71 - 2nd

PoVey's work with trainer and former BYU linebacker, Jordan Pendleton, definitely paid off.  If PoVey had participated in the NFL combine he would have finished second among safeties in the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill, top 5 in the 225 lb bench, vertical jump, and broad jump, and top 10 in the 40-yard dash.

His impressive athleticism may have some NFL teams considering PoVey for a position other than safety. CBS NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler had this to say about PoVey in a recent article in the Deseret News:

The guy to keep an eye on who could be moving up a little bit is safety Skye PoVey. I hear some teams are even looking at him as more a wide receiver, a Julian Edelman type of receiver. He's a terrific athlete who showed really well at the BYU Pro Day.

In a recent interview, PoVey told ESPN 960 Cougar Sports he has been working with former BYU WR Austin Collie and catching passes from BYU QB Christian Stewart to make himself more versatile to NFL teams, even if it is just to earn a spot on the practice team.

Obviously, I can't speak to PoVey's route-running or pass-catching abilities. PoVey did have a solid season at safety for the Cougars. He led the Cougars last season with 78 tackles (55 solo and 23 assisted). He also recorded four tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, five pass break ups, and one fumble recovery.

PoVey was also named All-Independent First Team. Not too bad for a former walk-on who had to overcome tearing his plantar fascia three times in 2012 before becoming a two-year starter for BYU.

There is an outside chance PoVey slips into the final round of the draft, but he'll likely end up being a priority free agent. He has not visited any NFL teams, but the New England Patriots are reportedly interested in PoVey. It will be interesting to see what PoVey can carve out for himself, and he's certainly giving it everything he's got.