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Many recently departed BYU players participated in front of NFL scouts during Friday morning’s pro day. 28 of the 32 NFL teams had scouts in attendance. Here is a list of the participants:
#BYU Pro Day 2017 participants. pic.twitter.com/7j9bv6nOaI
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 24, 2017
Standouts from the day appeared to be Taysom Hill, Kai Nacua, and Andrew Eide.
Despite multiple season-ending injuries, Taysom Hill still has the athleticism which so many have raved about over the years. Taysom started the day with a 38.5” vertical leap. That vertical would have placed him in the top 15 of all positions at this year’s NFL combine.
Where Taysom's vertical jump would've placed him at the Combine. Among ALL positions. pic.twitter.com/ayIse2OBQA
— Andrew Lord (@lordandrew1) March 24, 2017
Taysom’s 40 time of 4.44 seconds also would have been a tenth of a second faster than the next fastest QB (Trevor Knight) at the NFL combine. Taysom reiterated to the media and scouts that he is open to playing any position in the NFL:
Taysom is open to making a position change. With job opportunities already lined up, he's still pursuing NFL dream because "I love the game"
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 24, 2017
Fox Sports reporter Bruce Feldman chimed in on Taysom’s impressive pro day:
Taysom Hill at BYU Pro Day: 4.44 40 & vertical jumped 38.5. Superb athlete; very bright>Curious if he ends as an H-back or safety in the NFL
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) March 24, 2017
It remains a longshot that Taysom sticks around with an NFL team, but his performance today helped his cause.
Kai Nacua also put up impressive numbers in his quest to be picked up by an NFL team. Here are his results:
So proud of this kid right here. @KaiNacua Killed it today!!! pic.twitter.com/Al5xfr8g6R
— Chad Kapanui (@coach_kaps) March 24, 2017
His 39” vertical was particularly impressive:
Kai Nacua's 39-inch vert would have tied for 10th among all players at 2017 NFL combine; would have ranked 3rd among safeties.
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) March 24, 2017
Nacua has not shown up on many mock drafts, but his game film and pro day performance will at least get him an undrafted free agent invite.
Starting left tackle Andrew Eide, who projects as an interior lineman in the NFL, has been training with former BYU linebacker Jordan Pendleton to get him noticed by NFL teams. Eide showed off his strength and some athleticism. He bench pressed 225 pounds 33 times and had a 30.5” vertical leap. For comparison, potential top-10 pick and star running back Leonard Fournette had a 28.5” vertical leap at the NFL combine.
Andrew Eide's 30.5-inch vert would have tied for 3rd among OLs at the 2017 NFL combine. BTW, combine vert record: BYU's Travis Bright (35.5)
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) March 24, 2017
National draft pundits took note of Eide’s strong pro day:
Keep #BYU OG/OC Andrew Eide on your radar. Former DL, moved to LT the past two seasons. Legit shot to make a 53-man roster as a NFL rookie.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 24, 2017
Here are Eide’s numbers for the day:
Andrew Eide #'s pic.twitter.com/N34dyT4OhZ
— Benjamin Criddle (@criddler21) March 24, 2017
BYU’s top two prospects most likely to get drafted, Jamaal Williams and Harvey Langi, also participated. New England Patriots representatives appeared to take a particular liking towards Langi:
#Patriots scout to Harvey Langi: "We enjoyed watching you the past couple years." #BYU
— Nate Cunningham (@NW_Cunningham) March 24, 2017
NFL.com recently released a mock draft that had Harvey Langi going in the third round (96th overall) to the New England Patriots.
The NFL Draft will be held April 27-29 in Philadelphia.