Cougars are present at 1st ever NJAC Pro Day

By Kervin Coleman | Published May 3, 2023

Two Kean all-star football players were among five select athletes who performed at the first NJAC exclusive Pro Day where college athletes showcase their talent before NFL scouts in the hopes of getting called for the draft. 

During the event, held April 4 inside the Rec Center at William Paterson University, the athletes completed many drills for scouts from teams such as the New York Giants and New York Jets. The athletes took their measurements, bench pressed, and did a vertical jump test.

“My experience here was definitely one of a kind,” Kean Senior Kyeon Taylor said. “You dream about stuff like this, then it comes and feels totally different.” 

Taylor’s name is synonymous with Kean football. The 6’2” cornerback has the measurables, instincts, and football mind to transition his game to the next level. In Taylor’s junior campaign, he registered a staggering eight interceptions. This was good enough to lead the country in interceptions per game. 

“I feel as though I wouldn’t be in the position if I didn’t have confidence,” Taylor said. “I believe that no one deserves to be in the same field as me.”

This confidence led Taylor to an illustrious career at Kean University. Taylor posted career numbers of 104 tackles, 11 interceptions, 30 pass deflections, and three forced fumbles in 34 outings.

“Everything Coach Krieder has taught me applied to this Pro Day today,” Taylor said. “From making sure my hips are loose to being explosive, I’ve got to credit him for everything.”

Taylor isn’t alone in his quest for professional football. His teammate, Senior Jason Carlock only spent one season donning the Navy and Carolina Cougar blue but made a statement of his time on short notice. His recorded statistics were 25 receptions, 327 yards, and three touchdowns in eight games. Prior to his days at Kean, Carlock spent the earlier days of his collegiate career at SUNY-Cortland. 

“For the most part, I thought both programs valued the competition and desire to win, which drew me towards both places,” Carlock said. 

Carlock comes from an athletic background, with all of his brothers also playing collegiate sports., His brother Jake is one of them being an NFL Alum spending time with the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins. His name is Jake, and he’s been pivotal in Carlock’s attempt to further his career and transition into professional ball. Jake was present at the Pro Day, motivating, coaching, and cheering on his younger brother.

“Seeing all of his accomplishments and what he has been able to do is an inspiration to me,” Carlock said. “I also rely on all of my other siblings as well. Having seven older siblings, growing up I always looked up to them and they have always been so supportive of everything I have done.”

Carlock spent three seasons gaining traction at SUNY-Cortland, being a participant in every game and starting his entire junior season, accumulating. He accumulated 59 receptions, for 915 yards, and nine touchdowns in 32 games at SUNY-Cortland. 

Taylor measured in at six feet two inches and roughly 200 pounds. Bench pressed five reps of 225 pounds and had a 26-inch vertical leap. He felt as though the weight portion wasn’t the foremost focus of his Pro Day performance, as he credits his on-the-field work for being better.

“My strengths were in the positional drills,” Taylor said. “It’s not all about how strong you are and how fast you can run.”

At around 10:30 a.m., the athletes transitioned into fieldwork and completed broad jumps, 40-yard dashes, a shuttle run, and a three-cone drill. Taylor graded out a 4.7 40-yard dash, 8.7 broad jumps in two tries, 4.5 in the shuttle run drill, and 7.3 in the three-cone drill. 

“In the future, I would love to continue playing football and keeping the dream alive as long as I can,” Carlock said. “Overall I felt like I had a good day. I think the best part of the Pro Day was the end where we got a chance to run routes and do actual football stuff.”

Carlock felt content with his performance at the Pro Day. Carlock measured in at approximately six feet one inch and ⅞’s and 215 pounds. His 40-yard dash was a 4.81, ran a 4.4 shuttle run, 7.43 3-cone drill, 16 reps of bench press reps at 225 pounds, a broad jump of 9.9, and a 29 and ½ inch vertical leap. 

“I was able to show off my skills to the scouts and give them something to think about when they left at the end of the day,” Carlock said. “I felt really good during that last session of the pro day.”

Taylor and Carlock both thanked William Paterson University and its staff for making the event comfortable and welcoming to them. 

“It was an honor to be a part of the first NJAC pro day,” Carlock said. “I just felt blessed to be a part of it.”

As the NFL Draft is around the corner and plenty of other leagues are seeing an uproar, both athletes keep their optimism alive to further their football careers. The 2023 NFL Draft will take place between Thursday, April 27, and  Saturday, April 29, and then the undrafted free agency periods kick off thereafter. Be on the lookout for these two Cougar prospects to look to make their names on the next level. 

Disclaimer: Kervin Coleman is a teammate of Kyeon Taylor and Jason Carlock.

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