Notes from Pro Day

From Dorian Alerte | Published April 27, 2023

Kyeon Taylor dropped into his stance to run the 40-yard dash as his teammate Jason Carlock watched on. NFL scouts clicked their stopwatches as Taylor crossed the 40-yard line.

On Apr. 4 Taylor, Carlock, along with three other players from the New Jersey Athletic Conference took part in an NFL Pro Day, located at William Patterson University.

This served as an opportunity for these Division III players to perform for NFL scouts before the NFL Draft takes place, beginning on Apr. 27. This is the first of its kind for players that play in the NJAC. Scouts from the New York Jets, as well as the New York Giants, were in attendance.

“To have two NFL teams show up at William Patterson, four from the Giants and one from the Jets, for the first-ever pro day at William Patterson was a great success,” John Perez, founder of Perez Sports and Kyeon Taylor’s agent, said. 

The pro day was a success overall, and scouts, along with future players are looking forward to having the opportunity to continue having the pro day to give Division III players an opportunity for their NFL dreams.

Two of Kean’s top players, Taylor and Carlock, took part in the Pro Day hoping to play on an NFL roster.

Notes on Kyeon Taylor’s pro day

Taylor’s name has been synonymous with the Kean football program. The defensive back is a ballhawk in the secondary and possesses a prototypical NFL defensive back size at 6’1”, 200 pounds.

“They’re going to get a non-complaining, 11-teammate player,” Taylor said on the type of player a team that drafts him will get. “Once I get to that level, the most important thing is to create those relationships. I’m a hardworking and friendly teammate, that will ask questions.”

Taylor put his skills on display during the individual positional drills. The DB moved with fluidity and showed off his hands which brought him eight interceptions in the 2021 season, which led the nation.

Taylor ran a 4.7 40-yard dash, ranking him in the top 17 of combine performers at the safety position. He also had an 8’7” broad jump, 26” vertical jump, 4.5s shuttle, and 7.3s 3-cone drill.

Taylor, along with his agent both feel that while his measurables were good, the tape and the individual drills were his strength and told the scouts all that they needed to know about the prospect.

“Kyeon competed and he worked hard,” Perez said. “The positional drills showed how much of a smooth football player he is. He looked very natural in the drills. He has very good ball skills, meaning when the ball is in the air, he knows where to get it at the high point. He has very good football IQ to diagnose a route and that’s what led him to his statistical success.”

According to a report from Ethan Hurwitz, Taylor has previously received interest from the Detroit Lions, and the Minnesota Vikings, as well as having conversations with the Buffalo Bills, the Washington Commanders, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New York Giants, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Notes on Jason Carlock

Carlock comes from an athletic background, with his older brother Jake previously having a stint in the NFL with the Giants in 2019, as well as being a practice squad player for the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins.

The 6’3 wide receiver put his athleticism on display for the scouts. He ran crisp routes and was able to extend his body for a few balls. This was especially apparent with his 9’9” broad jump and 4.4s shuttle, which put him among the top 50 wide receivers that attended the combine.

He also ran a 4.81 40-yard dash, a 7.43 3-cone drill, and had a 29.5” inch vertical leap. 

The NFL Draft is less than a week away, and following the draft, the undrafted free agency period will begin, although both Taylor and Carlock will hope to hear their names called and have the opportunity to make an NFL roster.

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