Brett Pyne | Posted: 6 Mar 2023 | Updated: 30 Mar 2023

Freeland shines as all three Cougars excel at NFL Combine
BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
BYU players at 2023 NFL Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine BYU players at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

INDIANAPOLIS—BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland set an NFL Combine record while all three BYU players invited to participate in the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine excelled in their performances over the weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. 

Freeland, quarterback Jaren Hall and wide receiver Puka Nacua each took their turn on center stage with other top 2023 NFL Draft prospects at the league's annual scouting combine, which started on Thursday and concluded Monday. The Combine allows NFL general managers, coaches and scouts the opportunity to get to know and test the skills of the invited players as they prepare and train for the chance to play in the NFL.

Freeland didn't take long to earn notice from the NFL personnel on hand when it became his turn for the drills and workouts. Proving why he was the top-rated offensive lineman for athleticism at the Combine, Freeland achieved the highest vertical jump for an offensive lineman in the history of the event, launching his 6-foot-8, 302-pound frame 37 inches above the ground to surpass all other offensive lineman by a significant margin. The next-best verticals among linemen measured 34.5 and 32.5 inches, respectively. 

In addition to producing a new NFL record for his position in the vertical, Freeland finished atop the 51 offensive linemen in several other categories while ranking high in every drill in which he participated. His results also included the top broad jump (10'0") and 10-yard split time (1.68 seconds) in the 40-yard dash, while his overall 40 time ranked tied for second (4.98). Freeland's broad jump was three inches longer than his closest competitor, while the next-best split time was a distant 1.71 compared to Freeland's 1.68 time.

Freeland was No. 4 in the 3-cone drill (7.46), which ranked No. 3 among offensive tackles, and finished No. 11 in the 20-yard shuttle run (4.71), which rated No. 5 only among his peers at the tackle position. Freeland did not participate in the bench press on Monday, opting to do his lifts at the BYU Pro Day on March 24 in Provo.

Hall and Nacua, who both opted to delay their drills testing for the BYU Pro Day, joined Freeland in earning praise for their talents and skills displayed during their position workouts for NFL teams. All three players utilized their time at the Combine to meet with NFL teams and will work out again for NFL personnel at the BYU Pro Day later this month. 

Entering the combine, Hall was rated No. 6 among the 15 invited quarterbacks, Freeland was ranked No. 7 among 51 offensive lineman and Nacua had the No. 21 overall grade among 51 wideouts. Freeland was also rated No. 1 for athleticism and No. 9 in overall production, while Hall rated No. 4 in athleticism and No. 8 in production and Nacua was ranked No. 12 in production and No. 22 in athleticism.

Combine Results
Fans can select the following link to see the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine results and information. Follow the BYU Football social platforms on Twitter, Instagram and FaceBook to see and learn more about the on-site experiences for Hall, Nacua and Freeland at the Combine.

As part of their Combine schedules, all three BYU players met with NFL teams as well as the media. Hall and Nacau addressed the media on Friday, while Freeland took his turn on Saturday. 

 

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