Jaden Nixon showcases game-changing explosiveness and versatility, proving to NFL scouts he's a dynamic playmaker ready to impact any team.
Jaden Nixon is tirelessly working to fulfill his dream of hearing an NFL team call his name and draft him, as the long-awaited NFL draft inches closer by the day.
Nixon participated in UCF's pro day last Wednesday and showcased his abilities in the drills he did. Twenty-nine of the 32 NFL teams attended — the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams were the missing three.
The UCF Knights' speedster running back said he had short exchanges with the attending scouts, thanking them for being there and receiving praise for his performance. Nixon's pitch to NFL teams watching his film and pondering his selection focused on his versatility.
"If you want me coming out of the back field to go catch a ball, if you need somebody to break a long run or something like that, even to grind and get a few yards, I can do that as well," Nixon said at UCF pro day. "So I mean I'm explosive, [I'm] talented, [I] can catch and I'm big, big on returning."
Nixon's explosiveness dissected opposing team's defenses throughout the season. Whether it be kick returns or finding an open space in the trenches, he broke off multiple big runs to inject energy into his team and the home fans.
He totaled 498 yards on 19 kick returns, including a 96-yard return touchdown against the North Carolina A&T Aggies. Nixon also had two games with a longest run of 80 yards or more — 87 against the Aggies and 83 against the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Speed is his most significant athletic trait and the 40-yard dash drill shows scouts how fast a player is. Although the UCF football X account did not post Nixon’s pro day stats, he had high expectations of himself when it came to running the 40-yard dash.
"I put a lot of pressure on it because I'm more that fast, elusive kind of running back and everything like that," Nixon said. "And I mean, honestly, if a scout isn't here to see anything else, they're definitely here to see the 40 [yard dash] and everything like that.”
The 40-yard dash is one of the more significant factors in impacting a player’s draft stock. It paints a picture for how teams can utilize a player’s ability on the field.
For Nixon, that utilization can come in the back field receiving hand offs or running routes in the passing game. When he’s in the open field, it’s extremely difficult to stop a speedster who’s running with a full head of steam.
In the meantime, the UCF alum is working out twice a day, six days a week until the fated NFL draft. If his name is called, Nixon said it’d be an emotional moment for him.
"It's just going to be a heartfelt moment," Nixon said. "I might start crying a little bit. A little tears."
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