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The quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers took center stage Thursday at the Big 12 Pro Day at the Ford Center at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility.
Unheralded players from Arizona schools furthered their cause for consideration at NFL draft time. Among those who impressed were running backs Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Quali Conley of Arizona and running back DeCarlos Brooks of Arizona State.
Traditionally, each university hosted its own pro day. Most are now forgoing those and sending their draft-eligible players to the Big 12 event. It drew 130 athletes in the inaugural event in 2024. This year features more than 200 with Arizona and ASU each having eight participants.
Colorado's dynamic duo of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and versatile Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter were originally listed as participants. However, Hunter did not come due to another commitment, while Sanders made the trip but did not participate in any drills.
The day proved redemptive for Croskey-Merritt, who played in just one game for the Wildcats last season because the school was waiting for a ruling from the NCAA on his eligibility. Croskey-Merritt totaled 13 carries for 106 yards in the season opener but did not play again. This was his sixth season in college, following the 2023 season at New Mexico and four previous years at Alabama State.
Croskey-Merritt recorded a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash, the best time of any running back. It stood as the top time until the receivers took their turns in the late afternoon. Monaray Baldwin of Baylor and Melquan Stovall of ASU were the only players to beat the time.
Croskey-Merritt also recorded a mark of 41 feet, 5 inches in the vertical jump, which led all players. His mark of 10 feet, 4 inches in the broad jump was best among running backs.
Conley was the other standout for the Wildcats. He was the team's leading rusher with 745 yards but was overshadowed by quarterback Noah Fifita and the school's top draft prospect in wide receiver Terairoa McMillan.
Conley did 24 reps in the bench press, which led players at his position. Croskey-Merritt and Brooks tied for second with 17.
Brooks played two seasons in Tempe with injuries slowing him in 2023. He had just 37 carries last season, with Cam Skattebo the featured back taking most of the load.
Brooks had the top broad jump of the day (10-10) and his 40 inches in the vertical was second to Croskey-Merritt. He clocked a 4.60 in the 40, which was fourth among running backs and eighth among all players.
ASU was well represented in the wide receivers group as Xavier Guillory was first in the vertical jump (39) and the broad jump (10-8) while Melquan Stovall was second in the 40 (4.44) and the vertical (39).
Linemen ran their drills earlier in the week. A former ASU standout turned in one of the more noteworthy performances. Defensive lineman B.J. Green, who played three years at ASU before transferring to Colorado, ran a 4.70 in the 40-yard dash, then ran a second 40 of 4.77. To put that in perspective, the best clocking for that position during the NFL's combine a month ago in Indianapolis was a 4.83 run by Nebraska's Ty Robinson.
Green also had a 10-2 in the broad jump, which led all defensive linemen.
Among offensive linemen, ASU's Emmit Bohle was third in the vertical (30) and fourth in the broad jump (9-2).
The event wraps up on Friday with kicking and snapping specialists showing off their skills.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU, Arizona football players make their cases ahead of NFL Draft
Continue reading...
Unheralded players from Arizona schools furthered their cause for consideration at NFL draft time. Among those who impressed were running backs Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Quali Conley of Arizona and running back DeCarlos Brooks of Arizona State.
Traditionally, each university hosted its own pro day. Most are now forgoing those and sending their draft-eligible players to the Big 12 event. It drew 130 athletes in the inaugural event in 2024. This year features more than 200 with Arizona and ASU each having eight participants.
Colorado's dynamic duo of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and versatile Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter were originally listed as participants. However, Hunter did not come due to another commitment, while Sanders made the trip but did not participate in any drills.
The day proved redemptive for Croskey-Merritt, who played in just one game for the Wildcats last season because the school was waiting for a ruling from the NCAA on his eligibility. Croskey-Merritt totaled 13 carries for 106 yards in the season opener but did not play again. This was his sixth season in college, following the 2023 season at New Mexico and four previous years at Alabama State.
Croskey-Merritt recorded a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash, the best time of any running back. It stood as the top time until the receivers took their turns in the late afternoon. Monaray Baldwin of Baylor and Melquan Stovall of ASU were the only players to beat the time.
Croskey-Merritt also recorded a mark of 41 feet, 5 inches in the vertical jump, which led all players. His mark of 10 feet, 4 inches in the broad jump was best among running backs.
Conley was the other standout for the Wildcats. He was the team's leading rusher with 745 yards but was overshadowed by quarterback Noah Fifita and the school's top draft prospect in wide receiver Terairoa McMillan.
Conley did 24 reps in the bench press, which led players at his position. Croskey-Merritt and Brooks tied for second with 17.
Brooks played two seasons in Tempe with injuries slowing him in 2023. He had just 37 carries last season, with Cam Skattebo the featured back taking most of the load.
Brooks had the top broad jump of the day (10-10) and his 40 inches in the vertical was second to Croskey-Merritt. He clocked a 4.60 in the 40, which was fourth among running backs and eighth among all players.
ASU was well represented in the wide receivers group as Xavier Guillory was first in the vertical jump (39) and the broad jump (10-8) while Melquan Stovall was second in the 40 (4.44) and the vertical (39).
Linemen ran their drills earlier in the week. A former ASU standout turned in one of the more noteworthy performances. Defensive lineman B.J. Green, who played three years at ASU before transferring to Colorado, ran a 4.70 in the 40-yard dash, then ran a second 40 of 4.77. To put that in perspective, the best clocking for that position during the NFL's combine a month ago in Indianapolis was a 4.83 run by Nebraska's Ty Robinson.
Green also had a 10-2 in the broad jump, which led all defensive linemen.
Among offensive linemen, ASU's Emmit Bohle was third in the vertical (30) and fourth in the broad jump (9-2).
The event wraps up on Friday with kicking and snapping specialists showing off their skills.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU, Arizona football players make their cases ahead of NFL Draft
Continue reading...
