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Six ex-Cougar football players look to impress at Big 12 pro day

By BYU Sports Information - | Mar 30, 2024
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Former BYU linebacker Max Tooley runs a drill at the inaugural Big 12 Pro Day in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, March 31, 2024.
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Former BYU punter Ryan Rehkow runs a drill at the inaugural Big 12 Pro Day in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, March 31, 2024.
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Former BYU linebacker AJ Vongphachanh runs a drill at the inaugural Big 12 Pro Day in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, March 31, 2024.
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Former BYU offensive lineman Paul Maile runs a drill at the inaugural Big 12 Pro Day in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, March 31, 2024.
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Former BYU defensive lineman Jackson Cravens runs a drill at the inaugural Big 12 Pro Day in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, March 31, 2024.
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Former BYU defensive lineman Atunaisa Mahe runs a drill at the inaugural Big 12 Pro Day in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, March 31, 2024.

Six additional Cougars worked out for NFL teams on Saturday at the 2024 Big 12 pro day as the inaugural event concluded at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Linebackers Max Tooley and AJ Vongphachanh, defensive linemen Jackson Cravens and Atunaisa Mahe, offensive lineman Paul Maile and All-American punter Ryan Rehkow took their turns showing their abilities to NFL teams on Saturday after tight end Isaac Rex, running backs Aidan Robbins and Deion Smith and defensive backs Eddie Heckard and Kamden Garrett were part of Thursday’s workouts.

All the players also participated in meetings, interviews, official measurements and special Allstate Pro Day Institute educational sessions during the event that kicked off on Wednesday.

Among the highlights on Saturday was Tooley turned some heads with an unofficial 4.50 time in the 40-yard dash. The athletic linebacker also jumped 34.5 inches in the vertical leap and 10-feet, 2 inches in the broad jump.

“I felt like I did well,” Tooley said. “I was able to run, to jump and to go smoothly through the drills. I felt good but now we see what the NFL teams think. I’m someone who is committed and ready for the grind. I love the game and I’ll give it my all every play I’m on the field.”

Fellow Cougar backer AJ Vongphachanh had a 33.5 vertical and 9.5 broad jump while joining Tooley in showing their strong football skills during the linebacker positions drills.

“It was a little different than doing a pro day at your school, but honestly I loved the experience and I’m grateful for it,” Vongphachanh said.

The linemen also represented a large portion of Saturday’s workouts. Maile was one of 22 offensive linemen at pro day, while Cravens and Mahe were among 19 defensive linemen at the pro day, with an additional five hybrid end/linebacker adding to those numbers.

“It was awesome to be out here,” Cravens said. “Thank you to BYU and the Big 12 for making this possible, to be to showcase our talents with the rest of the conference. I’m grateful to be here and feel good about today.”

Cravens and Mahe bench pressed 225 pounds 29 and 31 times, respectively, among their workouts, while Maile showed his versatility in position drills as an interior player who can play center or guard.

The specialists were the first to take the field on Saturday morning and Rehkow was a standout. After previously impressing during postseason appearances at the Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Game and NFL Combine, the All-American punter delivered another attention-grabbing performance with his booming kicks and overall consistency.

“The biggest thing for me was showing the consistency that every time I come out, you know what you are going to get,” Rehkow said. “It was about showing what I do. I feel like on the field I can be someone who changes the game and can flip the field, whether that is pinning a team deep or getting us out of a tough situation in our own end. Off the field, I feel like I’m someone who can bring people together.”

Rehkow and BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia and quarterback Kedon Slovis previously participated in the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine that was held in Indianapolis from Feb. 26-March 4. Suamataia, who has been projected as high as a potential first-round pick, and Slovis, who had a strong showing at the Combine, did not conduct workouts again at this week’s Big 12 pro day.

Overall, the 2024 Big 12 pro day had more than 130 NFL scouts and personnel from all 32 teams on hand to work out and test 137 athletes from Big 12 teams, including 11 former BYU players, in the Ford Center at The Star, a 12,000-seat stadium that serves as the practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys.

The NFL draft is scheduled to take place in Detroit on April 25-27.

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