NFL combine: Former Pac-12 players shine in Indianapolis as first round progresses

Ohio State’s draft prospects and 40-yard dash times were among the highlights of last week’s NFL draft. So, again, it was a dead conference.

Players from former Pac-12 schools have thrived in Indianapolis — so much so that the conference’s defunct version may cast a long shadow over next month’s NFL draft in Pittsburgh.

Up to 10 prospects who played in the Pac-12 in the fall of 2023, the tournament’s final season, entered the first round — a number comparable to the number of SEC players identified on Day 1.

They will join 16 former Pac-12 players selected in the first round of the 2024-2025 draft and provide further proof that the conference did not collapse because it lacked talent.

(If anything, the staff was better after the foundation began to crack than before USC and UCLA chose the Big Ten in the summer of 2022.)

Not all former Pac-12 players invited to Indianapolis last week participated in on-field workouts. In fact, the most decorated player on the team, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, received a standing ovation from fans while watching the festivities.

But with perhaps one exception, the top talents are all solidifying or solidifying their position as potential Day 1 picks:

– Mendoza, who spent three years at Cal (2022-24), is the presumptive No. 1 pick and headed to the Las Vegas Raiders. He did not participate in practice and will perform for scouts in Indiana early next month.

– Texas Tech running back David Bailey, who played for Stanford, could be the second player off the board. At worst, Bailey will be a top-five pick after ripping the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

– It’s no surprise that Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq wowed the NFL talent scouts in attendance. The 240-pounder recorded a 43.5-inch vertical jump and a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time by a tight end since at least 2003, according to the NFL.

– Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano was tabbed as a top 15 pick. His speed and strength were excellent, although Fano’s arm length (a tad over 32 inches) was shorter than expected, leading to speculation that he could be drafted as a guard.

– USC receiver Makai Lemon, who did not run but participated in field drills, was taken in the middle of the first round and could sneak into the top 10.

– Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson, who was injured for most of the 2023 season – and again in 2025 – skipped workouts and workouts. However, he participated in the bench press. Tyson produced 26 reps of 225 pounds, just short of the receiver’s combined record. He is expected to be appointed in his youth or early 20s.

– Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu cemented his first-round mark with a 40-yard dash time of 4.99 seconds, and perhaps more importantly, a 10-yard split time of 1.74 seconds. (Short field speed is important for linemen.)

– Washington receiver Denzel Boston, pegged by many analysts as a mid-to-late starter, was one of the few former Pac-12 players who didn’t live up to expectations. Boston, whose speed is a bit of a concern, refused to run 40 on the fast lane at Lucas Oil Stadium, raising the bar for his college workouts later this month. He also wasn’t crisp during pass catching drills.

– Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor isn’t currently considered a first-round lock but has bolstered his stock, first with a solid performance in the Senior Bowl and then an impressive showing at the combine, where he clocked 1.73 seconds for a 10-yard dash.

– Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon, who played for USC in the 2023 season, also sits on the edge of the first round following his combine workout, which included a 35-inch vertical jump for the 314-pounder.

– Finally, Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch, whose career began at USC, warrants a mention after clocking 4.36 seconds in the 40 and a smooth showing in the gauntlet drill. At this point in the pre-draft calendar, Branch is a first-round pick.

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