Photo by: Aly Bayliss
Wildcat Football Players Showcase Talent at Pro Day
3/17/2025 5:04:00 PM | Football
ABILENE - Seven former ACU football players took part in a Pro Day workout in front of scouts from the NFL and Canadian Football League on Monday afternoon.
Eight scouts were in attendance which, according to head coach Keith Patterson, doubles the amount who were at ACU's 2024 Pro Day. Scouts representing the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, and the CFL's Calgary Stampeders were at Wildcat Stadium.
Running back Sam Hicks, receivers Nehemiah Martinez I, Blayne Taylor and Trey Cleveland, and defensive back Izaiah Kelley participated in the bench press, vertical and broad jumps, the 40-yard dash and went through position-specific drills on the field.
Kicker Ritse Vaes attempted field goals for scouts as well. Kayode Oladele, an ACU defensive lineman who graduated in 2023, also took part along with two receivers from Hardin-Simmons University.
Patterson said after his first season at ACU only two scouts showed up at the Wildcats' 2023 Pro Day event. The following year four pro scouts attended. He believes the increase in attention from professional football is a director correlation to ACU's on-field success.
ACU went 9-4 last year, won the United Athletic Conference Championship, and made it to round 2 of the FCS Playoffs.
The Wildcats open spring practice on Tuesday, and will continue with practices on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for five straight weeks. A spring game will not be held.
Eight scouts were in attendance which, according to head coach Keith Patterson, doubles the amount who were at ACU's 2024 Pro Day. Scouts representing the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, and the CFL's Calgary Stampeders were at Wildcat Stadium.
Running back Sam Hicks, receivers Nehemiah Martinez I, Blayne Taylor and Trey Cleveland, and defensive back Izaiah Kelley participated in the bench press, vertical and broad jumps, the 40-yard dash and went through position-specific drills on the field.
Kicker Ritse Vaes attempted field goals for scouts as well. Kayode Oladele, an ACU defensive lineman who graduated in 2023, also took part along with two receivers from Hardin-Simmons University.
Patterson said after his first season at ACU only two scouts showed up at the Wildcats' 2023 Pro Day event. The following year four pro scouts attended. He believes the increase in attention from professional football is a director correlation to ACU's on-field success.
ACU went 9-4 last year, won the United Athletic Conference Championship, and made it to round 2 of the FCS Playoffs.
The Wildcats open spring practice on Tuesday, and will continue with practices on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for five straight weeks. A spring game will not be held.
Players Mentioned
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