Pro Day Football in Kentucky
On March 11, 2025, the University of Kentucky hosted its annual Pro Day at the Nutter Field House in Lexington. This event provided draft-eligible Wildcats an opportunity to showcase their skills to scouts and representatives from all 32 NFL teams.
Participating Players:
- Zion Childress (Defensive Back)
- Eli Cox (Offensive Lineman)
- Marques Cox (Offensive Lineman)
- Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Inside Linebacker)
- Maxwell Hairston (Defensive Back)
- D’Eryk Jackson (Inside Linebacker)
- Gerald Mincey (Offensive Lineman)
- Octavious Oxendine (Defensive Lineman)
- Alex Raynor (Kicker)
- Tre’vonn Rybka (Defensive Lineman)
- Kristian Story (Defensive Back)
- Demie Sumo-Karngbaye (Running Back)
- Deone Walker (Defensive Lineman)
- J.J. Weaver (Outside Linebacker)
Event Schedule:
- Measurements: Height, weight, and other physical attributes were recorded.
- Athletic Tests:
- Vertical Jump
- Broad Jump
- 225-pound Bench Press Repetitions
- Speed and Agility Drills:
- 40-yard Dash
- Short Shuttle
- Three-Cone Drill
- Position-Specific Drills: Tailored exercises to assess skills pertinent to each player’s role.
Notable Performances:
- J.J. Weaver: The outside linebacker showcased his strength by completing 26 repetitions in the bench press.
- Eli Cox: The offensive lineman impressed with 25 bench press reps, reinforcing his reputation for power and endurance.
- Deone Walker: The defensive lineman, who had limited participation at the NFL Combine, utilized Pro Day to display his athleticism, aiming to solidify his status as a potential second-round pick.
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Player Spotlight:
- D’Eryk Jackson: Despite an injury-shortened final season, Jackson declared for the NFL Draft, bringing with him a collegiate career totaling 216 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and five interceptions. His performance at Pro Day was crucial in demonstrating his recovery and readiness for the professional level.
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Scouting and Media Coverage:
The event attracted significant attention, with scouts and personnel from every NFL team in attendance. Media coverage was extensive, providing insights and analyses of player performances. Highlights and interviews were shared across various platforms, including Kentucky Football’s official social media channels.
Looking Ahead:
The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to commence on April 24 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The performances at Kentucky’s Pro Day have undoubtedly influenced team evaluations, and several Wildcats are anticipated to be strong contenders in the upcoming draft.
For a visual recap of the event, you can watch the following video featuring Deone Walker’s Pro Day performance: