Here's how NFL draft prospects from Utah performed at the combine

AROUND THE SHIELD — Tyler Batty made good use of his time at the annual NFL draft combine in Indianapolis over the weekend.

The former BYU standout defensive end from Payson was one of seven former Utah high school and college football players invited to the annual event at Lucas Oil Stadium in the heart of Indiana, and one of two who performed in all six main drills for NFL scouts, coaches and executives through the weekend.

But did he improve his draft potential?

Batty ran a 4.78 second 40-yard dash, the 16th best in the current pool of defensive end prospects, and was top six in the three-cone drill, shuttle drill and bench press that measure strength and agility.

His 7.21 second three-cone drill rated fifth among defensive ends and edge rushers, and his 4.54 shuttle run was sixth. His 4.78 40 was down from the 4.86 he posted on his first try.

Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa also performed in each drill, posting a 4.63 40 with a 1.59 10-yard split. The former Kearns High star ranked among the top 15 in linebacker prospects by production, according to the NFL's NextGen Stats, and added a 38.5-inch vertical jump; a broad jump of 9 feet, 10 inches; and posted 21 reps on the bench press.

A few others participated in only interviews and/or position drills, like former Utah tight end Brant Kuithe, who was invited to the combine but did not participate in drills as he recovers from the injury he suffered in November against BYU.

Former Roy High and Corner Canyon quarterback Jaxson Dart, who threw for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns with six interceptions last year for Ole Miss — the third-most in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Kaysville native also went through interviews with the media and executives, and went through a variety of play calls, check-downs and throwing motions for scouts and executives during the combine.

"For all of us, this is our favorite part of being able to go through those meetings; the days can get long with all the medical testing," Dart told NFL GameDay on Saturday — which he celebrated during his mother's birthday with both parents in Indianapolis. "To be out here on the field was a complete joy, and it was a lot of fun out here.

"Every morning on her birthday and in the afternoon, we'd watch the combine on TV. This is a special moment for us. I feel like I had to perform for mom on her birthday."

One of the local players who likely helped his draft outlook the most was former Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals. The 6-foot receiver from Powder Springs, Georgia, ranks tied for third in school history with 21 touchdowns, 12th with 1,914 receiving yards, and tied for fifth for career 100-yard receiving games with eight.

At least one NFL draft analyst thinks Royals could be a big-play receiver with high upside and big-play ability that could push him up draft boards, too.

"Actually kind of looks like Randall Cobb to go back in the old school there," NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said of the "compact, 210 pounds" wide out. "There's a good clump of receivers there in that second-round range. They've done a good job of identifying those guys."

Here's how former Utah high school and college football players performed at the 2025 NFL draft combine:

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