Reilly, McGill shine at Utah Pro Day

(Tom Smart, Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Several former Utah football players participated in the annual Pro Day at the University of Utah practice facility Wednesday. While all were hoping to impress the several scouts in attendance, it was Trevor Reilly, Keith McGill and Karl Williams who had the best showing.

NFL representatives from 20 teams watched as 16 Utah seniors took part in individual measurements, a bench press test, sprints and various position drills.

Trevor Reilly

Former Utah team captain Trevor Reilly said he was pleased with his performance on the day and looks forward to focusing the next two months on getting in football shape and working as a rookie in the NFL.

“Right now I’ve just got to get ready to play, get in football shape and ready for mini-camp; just seize my chance when I get it,” Reilly said.

In the 40-yard sprint, Reilly ran a 4.66 and then a 4.69 and had a 34-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-9-inch broad jump. But Reilly said the training going into the NFL Combine and Pro Day was difficult for him, particularly with his future in the NFL on the line.

“I was a different human being these last three months,” he said. “It’s been freaking me out. Sometimes you think all the work will come down to this day, so I’m glad I was able to come out and do OK.”

Reilly said many of the NFL teams had already made up their mind about him and that they wanted to see him 100 percent healthy following knee surgery two months ago.


I was a different human being these last three months. It's been freaking me out. Sometimes you think all the work will come down to this day, so I'm glad I was able to come out and do OK.

–Trevor Reilly


“I just think they want to see me rehab,” he said. “A lot of them were talking about me being 100 percent healthy and getting in shape. Sounds like a lot of them have made up their mind where they want me.”

While anything can change from now until the actual NFL draft, many projections have Reilly somewhere in the second or third round.

Keith McGill

McGill entered Pro Day already impressing scouts with his performance at the NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.51 40 and was a combine top performer in the vertical jump (39 inches) and broad jump (129 inches). Despite his strong showing, McGill decided to test in every event Wednesday.

“I wanted to separate myself from any other corner that could have been at the same level — show the coaches that I’m willing to do the extra work that’s needed to make it in the next level,” McGill said.

McGill said he took the advice from the coaches at the combine and hoped to show an improved performance.

“I’m just trying to get to the level where the coaches want me to be,” he said. “They wanted me to stay low, be fluid and smooth. I went back home from the combine and tried to focus on that.”

McGill ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.52 his first attempt and then 4.53 his second attempt. He had a 35.5-inch vertical jump Wednesday, which was lower than his combine performance.

Karl Williams

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Williams, a 6-foot, 243-pound running back, posted the day’s best 40-yard sprint with an impressive 4.50 time. He also had a 35-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-11-inch broad jump and bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times. Williams’ testing likely improved his chances of being noticed by some NFL teams.

“I haven’t run that since I was in high school and weighing 215 pounds,” Williams said. “It felt good for me. I kept telling myself, ‘don’t get nervous.’ I’ve been preparing for this my whole life, and I’ve lived for this one moment to get this one opportunity.”

Williams was not invited to participate in the NFL Combine earlier this year, and has not been projected to be selected in any rounds of the draft. But he said he’ll do whatever it takes to make his dream a reality.

“I’ve had some teams contact me and talk to me but not draft status, more free agent status,” Williams said. “Whatever happens, happens. I came here as a walk-on and worked my way up and I’ll do the same thing in the NFL.”

Jake Murphy

Jake Murphy, the only underclassman to participate, felt he did enough to merit consideration in the draft from his combine performance mixed in with his Pro Day performance.

Murphy only participated in the 60-yard shuttle and the tight end position drills, having done other tests at the combine. Murphy ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.79 at the combine. He’s currently projected to go in the seventh round, but could fall to free agency.

“Obviously I want to be picked as early as possible, and I think I’ll be able to help a team. But that remains to be seen,” Murphy said. “I just wanted to show them how I can catch the ball, using my hands and body control and routes. I think that’s my biggest asset and what I can bring to the table.”

Tenny Palepoi

Palepoi, who is not projected to be taken in the draft, felt he showed off his talent at both the combine and at Pro Day, saying his movement on the field is what has been most attractive to coaches.

“It’s been going really well,” he said. “A lot of my numbers show that I’m in better shape and that I can move from side to side. I really impressed a lot of coaches.”

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