Takeaways from ASU Pro Day

(Photo Courtesy of Arizona Sports)

TEMPE – Temperatures in the Valley have been climbing throughout March, and Arizona State Pro Day participants were fortunate to avoid doing drills during Friday’s 101‑degree spike. ASU held its testing inside the weight room at Mountain America Stadium before moving to the Verde Dickey Dome.

It was one of the largest Pro Days the program has held in recent memory, with 20 outgoing Sun Devils participating. Notably not taking part was commonly projected first‑round pick Jordyn Tyson. The receiver, who has been managing a lingering hamstring injury, will instead perform positional work for scouts on April 17.

Tyson was still there to support his teammates, standing alongside ASU players from both past and present. Scouts and front office personnel from 31 NFL teams were seen as well. Here are three takeaways from the event.

Max Iheanachor Gets Hands‑On Coaching From an NFL Head Coach

A little over a week ago, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Iheanachor as the fifth‑best offensive tackle in the 2026 draft class. Of the four drafts since 2022, three have featured at least five tackles taken in the first round.

There’s a real chance the Sun Devil product hears his name called on day one of the draft. If he and Tyson both become first‑round selections, it would mark the first time two ASU players were taken on opening night since 2001.

It appears the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots, who hold the 31st pick, could be giving Iheanachor a serious look. After the group drill period, head coach Mike Vrabel pulled him aside for one‑on‑one coaching, and the exchange was among the day’s most memorable moments.

“After the Combine, I went in for a visit with (the Patriots) so I’m very familiar with the coaching staff,” Iheanachor said. “It’s really a big blessing for me to be able to learn from him and him being hands-on and just telling me what I need to work on.”

Among the 31 Teams Represented, Five Stood Out

Vrabel wasn’t the only head coach taking a closer look at the Sun Devils. The New York Giants, whose home games are played roughly 200 miles from the Patriots, sent John Harbaugh along with general manager Joe Schoen. Former ASU running back Cam Skattebo, now with the Giants, also returned to the facility where he once practiced.

Three members of the Atlanta Falcons’ brass were in attendance: president of football Matt Ryan, general manager Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski. Cunningham was later seen speaking with Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, whom he worked under from 2022 to 2025 as Chicago’s assistant GM.

As expected, Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and several team scouts made the 35‑minute drive to Tempe, the city where the Cardinals currently practice. That arrangement will change in 2028, when the team moves into a new practice facility in northern Phoenix.

“31 teams represented, three head coaches, multiple general managers, it’s all a testament to what (the Sun Devils have) done and the work they’ve put in,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “A lot of the guys out here today are going to get a chance to get an NFL helmet.”

A Defensive Showcase

11 of the 20 ASU players who worked out came from the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback Keith Abney II is widely expected to be a day two selection, and he impressed during position drills.

He didn’t crack Kiper’s top‑10 cornerback rankings, but that omission may not matter much because teams build their boards differently from pundits. The league also consistently drafts deep at defensive back, with an average of 20 taken in the first three rounds since 2020.

Someone who did land inside Kiper’s top 10 at his position was linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, whom Kiper ranked eighth. Day Two may be too ambitious a projection for Elliott at this stage, but a Day Three selection could be in the cards.

Safety Xavion Alford needed a strong showing to boost his draft stock after missing the vast majority of last season due to injury. He delivered in a way that should help his case as a potential day three option. His unofficial bench‑press reps would’ve tied for second among safeties at the combine, and his 37.5‑inch vertical would’ve tied for eighth.

Additional Observations:

Jimeto Obigbo and Jacob Rich Kongaika posted the best bench‑press performances of the day. Obigbo’s 27 reps would’ve tied for the fifth‑most among offensive linemen at the combine, and Kongaika’s 26 would’ve placed fourth among defensive linemen.

Leading the defensive backs drills was New Orleans Saints defensive assistant Peter Giunta, who has coached in the NFL since 1988. Former Sun Devil and current Cincinnati Bengals offensive line coach Scott Peters oversaw the offensive line drills.