NFL Scouts Check Out Cougars

PROVO -- The National Football League descended on Provo Wednesday to weigh, measure, analyze and evaluate 13 of BYU’s draft-eligible players.

Joining the former Cougars were eight players from Southern Utah who made the trip from Cedar City to work out for the scouts. The players participated in a series of events, including the broad jump, the vertical jump, the bench press, the 40-yard dash, the shuttle run and the three-cone drill.

For several of the players, Wednesday wasn’t the first time they had worked out in front of NFL scouts. Linemen Travis Bright and Ray Feinga, along with All-American wide receiver Austin Collie, were invited to participate in the NFL Combine last month. Collie, who declared himself eligible for the draft following his junior campaign in 2008, appreciated the opportunity to come back to Provo after working out in California for the past two months.

“It is a huge benefit to be able to work out at your own place,” said Collie. “I’m comfortable here in the Indoor Practice Facility. It’s the place I’ve practiced for the past four years of my life.”

Bright, took advantage of the opportunity to improve on some of his marks at the NFL combine. The former team captain increased his bench press reps from 34 to 35.

Following the standard tests, Collie and fellow receiver Michael Reed ran routes and participated in position-specific drills in front of visiting offensive coaches.

“I felt like I did better in the position work stuff this time around,” said Collie. “This is a dream come true for me. Now I just have to wait and see what happens on draft day. No matter what anyone says, you just have to wait and see."

Other former BYU players who worked out included Collin Fanning, Mosese Foketi, Wayne Latu, Bryce Mahuika, Chris Muehlmann, David Nixon, Dallas Reynolds, Brock Richardson and Fui Vakapuna

The 2009 NFL Draft will be held on April 25-26.