It is well documented that BYU has been underwhelming in the last decade or so when it comes to getting players into the NFL. With only nine players currently listed on NFL rosters the Cougars must take advantage of every opportunity to showcase its current student-athletes. Tight end Devin Mahina had the opportunity to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl last month, and both Mahina and full back Paul Lasike played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl one week prior to that. Neither saw much playing time but they did have the opportunity to work out for NFL scouts which hopefully improved their draft stock.

2015 Combine

Alani Fua was the lone representative of BYU this weekend at the 2015 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. He put up respectable numbers—especially in the agility drills—likely improving his draft stock somewhat. Fua’s 6.83 second 3 cone drill ranked third for all linebackers and tenth overall while his 11.54 finish in the 60 yard shuffle and 4.15 finish in the 20 yard shuffle both ranked 4th among all linebackers and 17th and 27th respectively among all 300+ participants. He was already known for his “impressive burst off the snap” and these times reinforced that message.

Fua’s overall draft grade of 5.27 places him squarely on the draft “bubble”, a rating that—according to NFL.com—means he has “NFL backup or special teams potential.” If he can bulk up a bit to fill out that 6’5” frame, while keeping his agility there may be a place for him in the NFL.

Cougars at the Combine since 1999

The table below shows results from all BYU athletes invited to the past 16 NFL combines. Since 1999 there have been 51 players invited, an average of 3.2 athletes per year. The high water mark was 2000 and 2002 when six Cougars were invited and the low point was 2011 when none received an invitation. Eight linebackers have been invited while seven tight ends and four quarterbacks have also received invitations. The following performances rank first among BYU invitees:

40 meter dash: Todd Watkins, 4.40 (WR, 2006)

Bench Press: Scott Young, 43 (OG, 2005)

Vertical leap: Doug Jolley, 38 inches (TE, 2002)

Broad jump: Austin Collie, 120 inches (WR, 2009)

3 Cone drill: Daniel Sorensen, 6.47 seconds (S, 2014)

20 yard shuffle: Daniel Sorensen, 3.95 seconds (S, 2014)

60 yard shuffle: Daniel Sorensen, 10.80 (S, 2014). Note: only three cougars have ever participated in this drill

While 2015 was a down year for number of Cougars invited to the combine, expect a rebound next year with upperclassmen Taysom Hill (QB), Jamal Wiliams (RB), Adam Hine (RB), Mitch Mathew (WR), Manoa Pikula (ILB), Ryker Mathews (OT), and Defensive ends Bronson Kaufusi, Remington Peck, and Graham Rowly all getting some early love as draft prospects (see http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2016/).

Table: BYU players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine (1999-2015)

Name YR POS 40m Bench Vert Broad 3 Cone 20 YD Alani Fua 2015 OLB 4.73 18 34.5 118 6.83 4.15 Kyle Van Noy 2014 OLB 4.71 21 32.5 112.0 7.22 4.20 Eathyn Manumaleuna 2014 DL 5.16 29 28 101.0 7.78 – Daniel Sorensen 2014 S 4.67 13 32 114 6.47 3.95 Cody Hoffman 2014 WR 4.65 13 27.5 108.0 6.89 4.20 Uani Unga 2014 ILB – – – – – – Ziggy Ansah 2013 DL 4.63 21 34.5 118.0 7.11 4.26 Braden Brown 2013 OT 5.20 26 28.0 100.0 7.43 4.70 Matt Reynolds 2012 OL 5.37 25 – – – – Hebron Fangupo 2012 DL 5.18 36 31.5 99 7.94 4.62 Max Hall 2010 QB 4.87 – 32.0 – 7.07 4.35 Dennis Pitta 2010 TE 27 34.0 113.0 6.72 4.17 Manase Tonga 2010 FB 19 Fui Vakapuna 2009 RB 4.83 29 34.0 110.0 7.37 4.40 Austin Collie 2009 WR 4.56 17 34.0 120.0 6.78 4.24 Ray Feinga 2009 OG 5.32* 30 Travis Bright 2009 OG 5.26 34 35.5 108 7.75 4.72 Bryan Kehl 2008 OLB 4.67 26 34.0 119 6.88 4.23 John Beck 2007 QB 4.75 – 29.5 111 6.81 4.17 Daniel Coats 2007 TE 4.94 34 30.0 111 7.07 4.43 Jonny Harline 2007 TE 4.84 15 28.5 106 7.05 4.68 Manaia Brown 2006 DT 5.1 21 34.5 111 7.65 4.49 Naufahu Tahi 2006 FB 4.85 35 29.0 101 7.74 4.70 Todd Watkins 2006 WR 4.40 – 37 118 7.13 4.25 Aaron Fancisco 2005 FS 4.74 17 35 113 6.98 4.13 Brady Poppinga 2005 DE 4.59 26 35.5 110 7.29 4.39 Scott Young 2005 OG 5.08 43 35.0 115 7.48 4.40 Colby Bockwoldt 2004 OLB 4.60 14 34 112 7.12 4.07 Quinn Christensen 2004 OG 5.10* 32 – – – – Scott Jackson 2004 C 4.98 – 30.5 105 7.86 4.52 Reno Mahe 2003 WR 4.68 – 32 109 7.27 4.23 Spencer Nead 2003 TE 4.86 19 28.5 102 7.37 4.34 Gabe Reid 2003 TE 4.82 23 37 119 7.49 4.32 Dustin Rykert 2003 OT 5.42 21 26.5 92 8.20 4.87 Ryan Denney 2002 DE 4.86 36 33.0 107 7.18 4.25 Brandon Doman 2002 QB 4.81 – 32.5 106 6.90 4.08 Justin Ena 2002 ILB 4.71* 20 34 116 6.76 4.11 Doug Jolley 2002 TE 4.60 18 38.0 117 6.90 4.18 Brett Keisel 2002 DE 4.89 26 33.5 107 7.28 4.51 Jason Scukanec 2002 C 5.33 30 29 100 7.87 4.59 Margin Hooks 2001 WR 4.50 – 36.0 116 7.08 4.18 Kevin Feterik 2000 QB 4.92 – 31.0 106 7.30 4.45 Byron Frisch 2000 DE 4.73 31 34.5 114 7.20 4.41 Brian Gray 2000 CB 4.94 19 33.5 116 7.38 4.24 Matt Johnson 2000 OG 5.56 35 28.0 99 8.07 4.99 Rob Morris 2000 ILB 4.77* 18 33.0 113 6.93 4.17 Carlos Nuno 2000 TE 5.03 23 28.0 – – – Derik Stevenson 1999 OLB 4.89 14 31.0 113 7.81 4.30 John Tait 1999 OT 5.24 26 29.5 107 7.48 4.40 Joe Wong 1999 OT 5.68 22 27.0 100 8.25 4.95 Daren Yancey 1999 DT 5.13 – 26.5 97 – –

*Not official time

Data comes from http://nflcombineresults.com/about/. If any players are missing or if you have information regarding BYU players invited to the combine prior to 1999 please notify us using the comment section below.

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