2023 NFL Draft: Top Pro Day Performances That Will Help Prospects

A few 2023 NFL Draft prospects have had impressive Pro Days in the wake of the Scouting Combine. These prospects have seen their draft stocks skyrocket after showcasing elite athleticism at their Pro Days.

Now that the Scouting Combine has come and gone, we are in the midst of Pro Day season ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. A few prospects have helped their draft stocks with terrific Pro Day performances—this article reviews a few of those performances as NFL teams get ready to make their picks in April.

LB Ben VanSumeren, Michigan State

Despite not receiving an invitation to the Scouting Combine, VanSumeren is clearly one of the most athletic linebackers in the 2023 draft class. He showed out at the Michigan State Pro Day, clearing 42.5 inches in the vertical jump and posting a 10-foot-11 broad jump. Both numbers would have been first among linebackers at the Combine. His 29 reps on the bench press would have been tied for first among linebackers, too, and he ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash. A 6-foot-1, 237-pound backer, VanSumeren could slip into the later rounds after an otherworldly Pro Day.

SAF Nico Bolden, Kent State

Already one of the bigger safeties in this year’s class at 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, Bolden’s insane pro day performance has NFL evaluators taking another look at his film in the final stages of the draft process. He ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, which would have been second among safeties at the Combine. His 41-inch vertical jump would have been third overall among all positions at the Combine, too. And with a solid 10-foot-7 broad jump, Bolden showed at his pro day that he is every bit as athletically capable as this year’s top safeties. He is a tackling machine who clearly has the physical traits to be a playmaker on defense (and, perhaps more importantly for his pro career prospects, special teams).

TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan

After an impressive showing in the Combine, Schoonmaker did not have to test at his pro day. He did anyway, and he helped his draft stock with an excellent day. Schoonmaker improved his vertical jump by two inches to 35.5 and clocked an impressive 6.81 in the three-cone drill. The latter result would have been best among tight ends at the Combine. While Schoonmaker will not be the first tight end off the board in a deep class at the position, he is a terrific athlete who could hear his name called in the middle rounds.

CB Reese Taylor, Purdue

One of the most agile testers in this year’s class, Taylor was phenomenal at his pro day. He ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash while posting a 6.63-second three-cone drill and a 4.07-second short shuttle. These times would have ranked among the best across all positions at the Combine. Taylor’s agility would allow him to keep up with nearly any wideout in the NFL on breaking routes. He offers value as an athletic, if undersized, cornerback who should get an opportunity at the next level.

NOTES: Harvard running back Aidan Borguet put up 35 reps on the bench press at the Harvard Pro Day, which would have been ten more than any running back at the Combine. He might not get drafted, but he could catch on with an NFL roster as a fullback with that kind of strength. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech EDGE Keion White ran an impressive 4.74-second 40-yard dash, showcasing tremendous speed for his size (6-foot-5, 285 pounds). And Tulane running back Tyjae Spears, who did not run the 40 at the Combine, clocked in at 4.47 seconds at his Pro Day, confirming the pro-caliber straight-line speed he has demonstrated on film.

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