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Former BYU defensive back Kaleb Hayes sprints in the 40-yard dash during pro day at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Friday, March 23, 2023.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Former BYU quarterback Jaren Hall throws a pass during pro day at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Friday, March 23, 2023.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Former BYU offensive linemen Blake Freeland (left) and Harris LaChance do a drill during pro day at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Friday, March 23, 2023.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua catches a pass during pro day at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Friday, March 23, 2023.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Former BYU quarterback Jaren Hall encourages a teammate doing the bench press during pro day at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Friday, March 23, 2023.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Former BYU running back Christopher Brooks stretches for another fraction of an inch in the vertical jumps during pro day at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Friday, March 23, 2023.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Former BYU offensive lineman Harris LaChance runs a shuttle drill during pro day at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Friday, March 23, 2023.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Former BYU defensive back Chris Jackson does the long jump during pro day at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Friday, March 23, 2023.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Former BYU defensive back Kaleb Hayes sprints in the 40-yard dash during pro day at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Friday, March 23, 2023.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Since the 2022 college football season ended, BYU players who decided to attempt to make it to the next level have spent an enormous amount of time and effort to get in great shape and highlight their physical abilities.

Friday was pay day for all that investment as former Cougars sprinted, jumped, lifted, talked and did drills in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams at BYU’s pro day.

There was quarterback Jaren Hall lofting a gorgeous deep ball that wide receiver Puka Nacua tracked down and hauled in at the corner of the end zone.

There was offensive linemen Blake Freeland, Harris LaChance and Joe Tukuafu showing off their power and technique (Tukuafu, a former tight end, also caught some passes).

Then there was arguably the most noteworthy moment of the day when defensive back Kaleb Hayes exploded down the runway in the 40-yard dash, registering a blistering unofficial time of 4.31 seconds.

“I was hoping just to get anywhere in the 4.3s,” Hayes said at the conclusion of the workouts. “It was crazy. It’s not necessary for me to run as fast on the football field because I’m always in great position to make plays. This was a great opportunity to show my true speed out there and I think I surprised some people.”

He explained that his goals were to show his athleticism and see if he could attract the attention of the NFL scouts.

“I felt like I did what I had to do,” Hayes said. “Throughout the months I’ve been training, I had an expectation, a chip on my shoulder for not being able to participate in many events. It was a great opportunity for me to turn some heads, to have some eyes looking at me and show them I am an athlete and I am going to perform. I am going to compete and I am going to win.”

It was a little bit different for Hall, Nacua and Freeland, who participated in the NFL combine earlier in the year.

Both Hall and Nacua said after pro day that they were looking to take some of the feedback they had received and demonstrate their capabilities.

“Today I was looking to show the ability to make every throw off-platform and on the run, just to show some mobility in the pocket,” Hall said. “Those are just small things that can separate me from other people and show off my skill set. At the combine, you do everything under center and do it all in the pocket. Today we just want to do a lot on the run to show the mobility side of things.”

Nacua said he felt like his last catch of the day, the deep ball from Hall, was a chance for him to show a key ability.

“That last ball was one Jaren and I had been working on,” Nacua said. “I wanted to show I could move with the best and be a great route runner. I feel like I’m one of the most smooth and efficient guys. This year, I felt like I didn’t track the deep ball as well. That’s why that that last catch of the day was big for me, to make sure I showed I could do that.”

While there were plenty of positives, there were also elements that the guys wish they had done better.

“You’re never happy,” Hall said with a grin when asked about his 40-yard dash time. “You always want to do better.”

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said he was pleased to see all 17 athletes get out there and compete, giving everything they had as they try to make the next step in their football careers.

“Obviously pro day went really well,” Sitake said. “I’m just happy that our players got to perform in front of the NFL scouts. We’re really, really excited about the possibilities for this group that’s going into the draft. I’m just really happy that they’re able to fulfill their lifelong dreams.”

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