Aggies show talent at the NFL Scouting Combine
In the past five years, Utah State has had eight players taken in the NFL draft.
This year, that number could rise as three more Aggies, Kyler Fackrell, Nick Vigil, and Hunter Sharp, all received invites to the NFL’s Scouting Combine this past week to show off their talents and skills to scouts from all 32 NFL teams.
Fackrell, projected to be drafted anywhere from late in the first round to the third round, showed off many of the skills we’ve seen over the past few years at USU.
His 40-yard dash time of 4.72 was good for 12th best among all linebackers, while his 121-inch broad jump and 34.5-inch vertical jump were both good for 6th. Fackrell may have had his best results in private interviews, however, as the 24-year-old father has a level of maturity and leadership few other prospects can match, qualities many teams place high priority on.
Throughout the day, Fackrell showed just why he’s worthy of being an early round draft choice.
Vigil may have outdone the upperclassmen Fackrell. The early-entry prospect put up solid numbers all day, leading all linebackers in both the three-cone drill and the 20-yard shuffle and placing 6th and 7th overall, respectively.
Vigil also matched Fackrell’s time in the 40, running a 4.72. After an impressive overall performance, Vigil has landed himself on many teams’ radar for the late rounds of the draft.
Unlike Fackrell and Vigil, Hunter Sharp’s Combine results don’t showcase his talent and skills as blatantly. His 40-yard dash time of 4.58, three cone drill time of 7.12 and his 32.5 inch vertical jump all scored in the middle of the pack for wide receivers.
Sharp did score a top ten finish in the 20-yard shuffle, however, coming in at tenth among receivers with a time of 4.19. Questions about his two-game suspension to start the 2015 season may be worrisome for several teams; however, he returned quickly to play the most of his senior season. Still, game film and experts both agree on Sharp’s explosiveness and playmaking ability, which will continue to give him the possibility of being drafted, though a more impressive pro day would certainly help his cause.
All three prospects, plus several others from the Aggie football team, will have another shot to impress scouts at Utah State’s pro day later this month. As for the draft, players and fans alike can only wait and see whosename is called.
— onthecornerofmainstreet.dh@gmail.com
Twitter: @theGrandDanny