The chilly wind whipping off the Allegheny River won’t deter the thousands of fans ready to turn the Pittsburgh stands into a sea of team colors. You could feel that same electricity at BYU’s Pro Day last month. Scouts from 31 NFL franchises locked their stopwatches on this year’s Provo prospects, knowing a fraction of a second changes lives.
Kelly blazed through his 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds at the Combine, backing up the tape that highlights true three-down potential. He brings the exact sideline-to-sideline range defensive coordinators crave in the modern passing league. While scouts question his man-coverage durability across a grueling 17-game season, his short-burst speed and pass-rushing upside make him a premier target. He possesses the physical tools to terrorize special teams units immediately while developing into a reliable rotational off-ball linebacker.
Chase Roberts faced the music. After clocking a sluggish 4.64 in Indianapolis, his draft stock took a direct hit. But Roberts fought back at BYU’s March 20 Pro Day, cutting his time down to a blistering 4.51 seconds. Standing 6-foot-3, his massive catch radius and sticky hands offer a security blanket for any quarterback. He thrives under pressure, turning routine slant routes into aggressive chain-movers.
Tight end Carsen Ryan also forced scouts to look up from their clipboards. He posted a 6.99-second 3-cone drill—a time that would have ranked first among all tight ends at the Combine. Ryan brings a hybrid blocking and receiving threat that easily translates to Sunday football.
“Jack Kelly is one of the best linebackers in BYU history. He’s so dynamic and instinctive. One of the best players I’ve ever seen closing in on the football in space, which I think is going to translate directly into the NFL.”
— Kelly Poppinga, Defensive Coordinator
The margin between a late-round draft pick and an undrafted free agent is razor-thin. Kelly holds the strongest odds to be selected in the middle rounds. Front offices looking for immediate special teams impact will target him early on Day 3. For Roberts and Ryan, the path relies heavily on the priority free agency frenzy. Smart general managers will snag them minutes after the seventh round concludes, plugging them right into rookie minicamps where their high football IQs can earn them training camp reps.
