UCF players made a splash at Pro Day, showcasing elite athleticism that could propel them into NFL mock drafts. Several recorded top-tier marks.
The UCF Knights hosted their Pro Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on Wednesday, and several former players may have climbed their way into mock drafts off their performances.
Linebackers Cole Kozlowski and Keli Lawson, running backs Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon, defensive back Phillip Dunnam, EDGE Nyjalik Kelly, kicker Noe Ruelas, wide receiver Marcus Burke, tight end Dallan "Deebo" Coleman, and offensive linemen Cameron Kinnie, Jabari Brooks and Paul Rubelt participated in Wednesday's event.
EDGE Malachi Lawrence attended the pro day, but did not participate. Barring the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons, every NFL team sent scouts to observe how the participants performed.
Lawson ranked second in vertical jump (41 inches) and first in broad jump (11' 3") among linebackers, including those who attended the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of January.
The 6-foot-4 Virginia native said he had a productive pro day and spoke on the importance of performing well during such an important event.
"To me and my family, this is of utmost importance," Lawson added. "To my brothers, [I'm] trying to show I'm right there with my guys. I'm right there ready to bump all the guys already in there, those to come, those before me, all that type of stuff."
Rubelt posted impressive numbers overall for his position group. He ran a 4.99 40-yard dash (tied for sixth), benched 26 reps (tied for sixth), jumped 9' 8" (tied for second) and ran a 4.68 shuttle (fifth best).
The 6-foot-10 offensive lineman, who started at left tackle for 10 of his 11 games, played 641 snaps this past season. Rubelt became a consistent model for the offensive line and took advantage of showing his athletic ability to NFL scouts.
"I can use my length," Rubelt said. "I'm strong and powerful, explosive — especially on the shuttle cone. The first 10-yard split and 20-yard split on the 40-yard dash. My vertical was good.
Brooks, Rubelt's fellow lineman, showcased his strength during the bench press drill. He benched 34 reps, which bests the NFL Scouting Combine record of 33 reps by Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III.
Montgomery, UCF's workhorse, also posted great numbers among other running backs. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash (fourth best), benched 22 reps (tied for third), jumped 10' 4" (tied for third) and ran a 4.25 shuttle (best among all running backs)
The Jacksonville native said he had been running the 40-yard dash since December and knew his hard work had paid off after his second attempt.
"I was really bad at it at first, and I kind of got good," Montgomery said. "I don't know if you guys were close enough, but my second one, you can hear me. I was like, "Oh yeah, that's the one."
Lawson, Rubelt and Brooks recorded impressive performances during pro day, highlighting why the event is so significant for players who weren't invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Pro day provides these players with an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of NFL scouts in hopes of achieving their goals. The trio's performance may have helped them appear in future NFL mock drafts and add to the illustrious list of Knights drafted to the league.
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