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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah held its NFL Pro Day Thursday, with 15 players from the University of Utah working out before several NFL scouts ahead of the NFL draft.
The day started out with each player getting measured and doing standing vertical jumps and broad jumps before moving on to the bench press. Kenneth Scott had the most impressive vert jump of the day at 38 inches. Jason Fanaika and Jason Whittingham, too, had a good showing, jumping 35.5 inches. Gionni Paul improved his vert jump by 4 inches from the NFL Combine, while Jared Norris improved by 2 inches.
Eight athletes participated in the bench press, with Seni Fauonuku benching 225 pounds 30 times, with Whittingham and Fanaika as the next best at 29 and 23, respectively. Fanaika improved his combine bench press number by six, while Gionni Paul managed two less.
Tevin Carter had the best showing in the 40-yard dash, running an unofficial 4.52-second time, with Bubba Poole and Kenneth Scott at unofficial times of 4.63 seconds and 4.64 seconds, respectively. Fanaika, Norris and Paul each improved their 40-yard times from the combine in Thursday’s Pro Day.
“All the guys that came out here, I think we all went away with positive notes,” Fanaika said. “And I think the scouts were very pleased with all the athletes that competed, and so it was a good day.”
Pro Day Skills
| Athlete | Vert Jump | Bench Press | 40-Yard Dash (Unofficial) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siaosi Aiono | 32" | - | 5.55 Sec |
| Tevin Carter | 34" | - | 4.52 Sec |
| Jason Fanaika | 35.5 | 29 Reps | 4.81 Sec |
| Seni Fauonuku | 23.5" | 30 Reps | 5.52 Sec |
| Jared Norris | 31.5" | 19 Reps | 4.75 Sec |
| Gionni Paul | 35" | 20 Reps | 4.83 Sec |
| Bubba Poole | 32.5" | 12 Reps | 4.63 Sec |
| Kenneth Scott | 38" | 17 Reps | 4.64 Sec |
| Kendal Thompson | 30" | 11 Reps | 4.65 Sec |
| Jason Whittingham | 35.5" | 28 Reps | 4.68 Sec |
| Travis Wilson | 31.5" | - | 4.78 Sec |
Quarterback Travis Wilson had a good showing with an improved throwing motion, working with scouts for approximately one hour in various throwing situations.
“I’m trying to get the ball up a little bit higher and just working on my fundamentals,” Wilson said. “That was something I really wanted to harp on throughout this whole training process and just be more accurate with the football.”
Although Wilson felt he had a good showing before scouts as a quarterback, he said he’s not opposed to changing positions should a team see it beneficial to him making an NFL roster.
“I’m a football player and I enjoy playing football. Obviously out here I did all quarterback stuff, but I’ll do whatever if they don’t see me as just a quarterback. I just want to be the best teammate that I can be,” he said. “If a position change does happen down the road, then it’s all about working toward that position and doing what I can to be the best at that position.”
Changing positions at Pro Day was former quarterback Kendal Thompson, who worked out with the wide receivers. Thompson started working with the receivers prior to Utah’s Las Vegas Bowl appearance. Wilson said he believes Thompson did a good job in his transition to receiver.
“Kendal looked really nice and I think he was really working on his wide receiver skills,” Wilson said. “He also made some great catches and helped me out a lot. I think he’s going to do some good things at the next level.”
Star running back Devontae Booker did not participate Thursday, instead electing to hold a private Pro Day at his former high school in Sacramento, California on April 12. Booker said he got “an itch” to get out on the field while watching Thursday, but wanted to be closer to 100 percent ready before running in front of scouts.
“Right now I’m about 80-85 percent,” Booker said. “Between that time it will give me a couple more weeks until I’m really ready to go. Just me getting ready for that day.”
Booker said he hasn't heard any negative feedback from scouts or coaches about his injury. He said teams are more concerned with his ability in pass protection settings.
“I know at the next level if I can’t pass protect and protect the quarterback, then I won’t be playing,” he said. “It’s really just me focusing on pass protection.”
