Braxton Gregory
Sports Editor
A hush falls over the ICCU Dome, broken only by the sharp click of stopwatches and the rhythmic pounding of cleats on turf. From my seat high in the stands, I track the movement of a player sprinting the 40-yard dash. Shoulders pumping, eyes focused ahead, his jaw tight with concentration. This is Idaho State’s Pro Day – a day when dreams are on the line, and futures hang in the balance.
This is Idaho State’s Pro Day – no music, no grand introductions, no hype. Just nine players – Offensive Lineman Ty Hyde, Defensive Backs Tyler Bohannon and Josh Alford, Defensive Linemen Zack Conner, Cortland Horton, and David Rowe, Wide Receiver Christian Fredericksen, and Running Backs Donald Austin and Justice Jackson—chasing a one-percent dream. The kind of dream you can almost touch but can’t quite grab unless you make it.
For these players, Pro Day isn’t just a chance to show off skills; it’s their shot at making it into the NFL. No announcers call out the times, no flashing scoreboards. Instead, scouts line the field, silently timing every step, recording every split. It’s a quiet but intense environment, where every movement is scrutinized. As a journalist watching from the stands, I can’t help but be in awe of the quiet intensity that fills the space.
Pro Days have become a staple of the NFL’s offseason, but it wasn’t always that way. The NFL Scouting Combine, originally called the National Invitational Camp, began in 1982 as a way for teams to gather medical information. By 1985, it became a fixture. Pro Days, where scouts visit athletes on campus, grew alongside it. In 1976, the New York Jets hosted college seniors for interviews and workouts outside the draft process. Since then, nearly every Division I program has held its own Pro Day. For players not invited to the Combine, it’s often their only chance. For those who attended, it’s a second shot to improve or redeem their numbers.
What sets this time of year apart for me as a journalist is Mel Kiper Jr.’s legacy. When Kiper became an ESPN analyst in 1984, he helped transform the NFL Draft into a year-round spectacle, making Pro Days a constant topic of discussion. Without Kiper’s influence, I might not be here today, along with the others spread across the stands.
The ICCU Dome looks different today. The usual roar of fans is replaced with the quiet hum of concentration. Cones and markers are scattered across the field. Three groups of players rotate through drills: one working on broad jumps, another on shuttles, and the last on positional workouts. Scouts stand around, clipboards and tablets in hand, documenting every move.
Pro Day is stripped of flash and driven by focus. The players rotate through drills, adjusting shoes between sets, stretching, and preparing for the next challenge. It’s methodical, efficient, and raw. There are no loud cheers, no distractions – just athleticism on display.
It’s easy to misunderstand the event if you’ve never seen it firsthand. A group of ISU football players watches from the stands, joking about the unfamiliarity of the occasion. One asks, “What is a Pro Day, anyway?” Though it may seem like a simple question, it speaks to how little the outside world understands this sacred tradition. Pro Day isn’t about highlights or big plays. It’s about precision, potential, and character. Scouts aren’t relying on TV broadcasts or secondhand numbers; they’re timing every sprint, measuring every jump, and taking notes on how each player performs.
Even during Pro Day, the pride in Idaho State’s athletic program is evident. Scott Gross, the Voice of the Bengals, casually mentions the success of other ISU sports programs. “The basketball teams have done a fantastic job,” he says, his pride in ISU’s athletes evident. “Dylan Darling is a gem, no doubt.”
For players, Pro Day is about more than just numbers. Scouts are watching how they handle coaching, how they respond to feedback, and how they carry themselves under pressure. These intangibles matter just as much as speed or strength. Watching from the stands, I see all nine players carry themselves with professionalism, quietly supporting each other between reps.
Pro Day is a critical opportunity to improve draft stock. For scouts, it’s a chance to fill out the bottom of their team’s draft board or find a priority free agent. For players from smaller schools like Idaho State, it’s often their only shot to make an impression.
As the event winds down, there’s no dramatic finish. No final whistle, no fanfare. The players grab water, the scouts gather their notes, and the atmosphere quietly fades. The players wait, hoping their performances will lead to an NFL opportunity.
For some, Pro Day may be their final step toward realizing their dream. For others, it may mark the end of their football journey. But for all nine players, it was a rare and crucial moment in their careers.
This isn’t just an event, it’s a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and pride that define Idaho State’s football program. It may not be flashy, but it’s real and focused. It’s football stripped down to its essence – a chance for these players to chase their dreams in front of those who understand the stakes.