Arizona Players Who Improved Their Draft Stock After Pro Day
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As the NFL Draft draws near, these Arizona Wildcats are looking to prove to the scouts that they belong on their team and possess the skills to be a key contributor, should they choose to draft them.
Arizona's Pro Day was last Wednesday, and 20 Wildcats showed up at Casino Del Sol Stadium in hopes of getting noticed by 20 NFL scouts who were in attendance. Knowing this was probably going to be their last chance at impressing them, they performed to the best of their abilities and showed why they could excel at the professional level.
The defensive backs of Arizona were the stars of the show, as Genesis Smith, Dalton Johnson, and Treydan Stukes all made up a class of safeties who led the Wildcats to having the best passing defense in the Big 12.
Arizona fans already know the level of talent they all bring to the table, but what about the rest of the Wildcats who made it to Pro Day? How did they boost their stock and show the NFL scouts that they belong with the elite-level players?
Let's take a look at the players who may have upped their draft stock after a successful Pro Day.
Luke Wysong, a Speedy Wide Receiver
Slot receiver Luke Wysong was an amazing addition from the transfer portal, bringing his speed and elusiveness that made him a household name while at New Mexico State. Wysong showcased his talent on punt return and was one of the weapons that made Noah Fifita dangerous through the air.
During Pro Day, Wysong recorded the fastest time on the 40-yard dash, clocking in at 4.3. Not only did Wysong impress with his 40 time, but he also posted a 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot broad jump.
Malachi Bailey Shows Bursting Speed Given Size
Malachi Bailey was one of the defensive linemen who was picked up from the transfer portal after playing at Alcorn State, an FCS school located in Mississippi.
A big, physical lineman, Bailey impressed this season and showed that he belongs at a higher level of competition than he played at before joining the Wildcats. In his Pro Day performance, Bailey shone in the 40-yard dash, posting a 4.72, which was the fastest time a defensive lineman had run in the combine.
Given the kind of speed he showed off, Bailey might be a steal for any NFL team that chooses to draft him.
Notable Performances
Bailey and Wysong really helped their stock with their performances at Pro Day, along with other Wildcats trying to make an NFL roster. Offensive tackle Ty Buchanan led the group in bench press with 28 reps, showing the strength and toughness that helped him protect Fifita's blind side.
Buchanan, a Texas Tech transfer, was under the radar at the beginning of the season, but impressed as it went on. He rarely missed time on the field, except for when a lower leg injury suffered in the first drive took him out of the Holiday Bowl
Nathaniel Martinez and a set of shoulder pads at 7 years old. He later graduated from Pima Community College in 2023, where he began writing for the Pima Post. He is working to achieve a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication and Media Studies.