Utah State Pro Day puts Avinger in spotlight as Aggies chase NFL opportunities

Utah State University Football’s 2026 Pro Day provided a final opportunity for a group of seniors and transfers to make their case to NFL scouts, and defensive back Noah Avinger delivered the most complete performance of the day. 

Avinger measured in at 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds with a 75-inch wingspan and posted strong numbers across the board, including 17 reps on the bench press, a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot-4 broad jump. His broad jump would have led all participants at this year’s NFL Combine, while his vertical and bench press also ranked among the top-tier marks relative to Combine results. 

“I felt like I had a great day,” Avinger said. “I’ve been training the past two months for this moment. I think I surprised them a little bit with how athletic I was.” 

Avinger’s testing added to a productive 2025 season in which he showed versatility, playing both safety and cornerback. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions in his first five games at safety before moving to cornerback, where he recorded 43 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over the final seven games. 

“It took me a little while to get to this strength,” Avinger said of his bench press. “I had some injuries in the past, but I trained it for the past two months.” 

Wide receiver Brady Boyd also turned in a solid overall performance, measuring at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds and running a 4.45-second 40-yard dash to go along with a 40-inch vertical. Boyd said he hoped for a faster 40 time but was encouraged by feedback from scouts. 

“I was hoping to go faster than that 40 for sure, but I’m happy with what I’ve heard from scouts,” Boyd said. “I know I’m on people’s radar. If I just get in the building, I just can’t let them get me out of there.” 

Boyd said his bench press — nine reps — exceeded expectations after identifying it as a focus during training. 

“Coming out here and doing nine was a shock for sure,” Boyd said. 

He is scheduled to participate in Texas Tech University’s Pro Day on March 26. 

Quarterback Bryson Barnes did not participate in testing but took part in positional drills, where he completed a high percentage of intermediate throws and connected on several deep balls, including multiple completions to Boyd. 

“He just came out here and slung that thing around like everyone knows he can,” Boyd said. “Any team that gets him is going to be lucky.” 

Several other Aggies produced notable results. Cornerback Bryson Taylor ran the fastest 40-yard dash of the day at 4.40 seconds and added a 37.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-5 broad jump. Wide receiver Kahanu Davis ran a 4.46, while running back Miles Davis ran a 4.50 and posted a 39-inch vertical. 

Safety Ike Larsen ran a 4.56 with a 37-inch vertical and 10-foot-1 broad jump, and he stood out in positional drills. Offensive tackle Jake Eichorn recorded 25 bench reps, and defensive tackle Naki Fahina led all participants with 35 reps, a number that would have ranked No. 2 at the NFL Combine. 

Utah State’s defensive back group was the deepest unit on display, with Avinger, Taylor and Dylan Tucker — 4.53 40, 38-inch vertical — all participating. Avinger’s performance stood out even within that group. 

“I feel like he was the best DB I went against all year,” Boyd said. “Iron sharpens iron.” 

For many of the participants, Pro Day served as a step in an ongoing process rather than a final evaluation. Boyd emphasized that point when asked about his path forward. 

“If you go look at me a year ago at this time, nobody knew who I was,” Boyd said. “I’m just trying to prove those people wrong.” 

Avinger echoed a similar approach, pointing to preparation and consistency as he moves toward the draft. 

“Just training, talking to my agent, talking to scouts and getting ready for the next step,” Avinger said. 

With multiple players posting competitive testing numbers and others scheduled to continue the pre-draft process at other events, Utah State’s Pro Day offered a strong overall showing — led by Avinger’s performance at the top.