UNI football pro day: DT Khristian Boyd has a ‘draftable grade’

CEDAR FALLS — Eight former Northern Iowa football players took part in the program’s annual pro day Monday afternoon inside the UNI-Dome.

Scouts from 23 of the NFL’s 32 teams were in attendance for the group of former Panthers, headlined by defensive tackle Khristian Boyd.

A third team All-American and first team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honoree, Boyd began to create NFL Draft buzz for himself at the East-West Shrine Bowl in late January, earning practice player of the week honors.

NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero reported earlier this month that Boyd had seven pre-draft visits lined up that included the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints. KSTP’s Darren Wolfson also reported that the Minnesota Vikings are one of Boyd's seven scheduled visits.

“(Scouts) love my get off, my power that I play with, my leverage, my hands and of course my strength,” Boyd said. “Then they said I could definitely improve on my pass rushing. They think I’m very versatile, too.

“I wanted to show that when I went to the Shrine and Hula Bowl and I feel like I did that. I’ve heard from a lot of teams (that) I’ve got a draftable grade.”

A minor hamstring tweak prevented Boyd from participating in the 40-yard dash, vertical and broad jump, shuttle and 3-cone at his pro day.

He measured 6-foot-2 and 329 pounds and did participate in the bench press.

Boyd may have made up for the drills he was unable to participate in by putting up an impressive 38 reps on the bench, four better than anyone else at his position at the NFL scouting combine and one behind this year’s combine record of 39.

“I knew once I got in front of everybody and the scouts and my teammates were cheering me on, I knew I could definitely go past my max,” Boyd said. “The most I had before that was 33. Once I got to 35 I was like, ‘damn, I could do a few more reps.’”

More UNI pro day results

Quarterback Theo Day and wide receiver Sam Schnee put their chemistry on display during passing drills and the duo also put up solid numbers in several drills.

Day measured 6-5, 224 and ran an unofficial 4.89 40-yard dash.

Schnee measured 5-10, 191, ran an unofficial 4.59 40-yard dash and had a 36 1/2-inch vertical jump.

Kicker Matthew Cook, defensive back Woo Governor and defensive linemen Caden Houghtelling, Cordarrius Bailey and Devin Rice made up the other five Panthers taking part in the pro day.

Along with Boyd’s likelihood of being selected in the NFL Draft, Day, Schnee and Cook hold the highest likelihood of being invited to NFL rookie minicamps in May.