UCF Pro Day: Isaiah Bowser boosts draft stock, Alex Ward aims for rare long snapper feat

ORLANDO — UCF's NFL hopefuls auditioned in front of scouts Wednesday afternoon at the school's annual pro day.

Nine players tested inside the weight room and fieldhouse, showcasing their strength, speed and athleticism. The list included long snapper Alex Ward, running back Isaiah Bowser, defensive linemen Austin Camden and Anthony Montalvo, offensive linemen Samuel Jackson and Ryan Swoboda, defensive backs Koby Perry and Divaad Wilson and tight end Kemore Gamble.

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In total, 27 NFL scouts from 25 teams were on site, as well as one Canadian Football League scout, per a UCF spokesman.

"It's always special, pro day," Knights coach Gus Malzahn said. "I've been here two years, and these guys have been such great players and great leaders. We've gotten really close, and it was really neat to watch them do their thing. I feel like they performed really well in front of the scouts."

Here are the most significant notes from pro day:

Bowser pleased with solid performance

The Knight who arguably helped himself most Wednesday afternoon was bruising tailback Bowser, who rushed for 799 yards and 16 touchdowns in his final year of eligibility.

Bowser clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.58 seconds, according to the school, while hitting a 35.5-inch vertical leap and completing 26 reps on the bench press, a figure that would have topped his position at the NFL combine.

"I put my best foot forward and showed the scouts what I could do. Overall, I feel like I had a good day," Bowser said. "I think I have a pretty all-around game. I run hard and worked on my speed, so I think I am faster now as well. I think I'm strong in my blocking game and in receiving like I showed today."

Light workload for Ward

Second-team All-American long snapper Ward has already undergone the evaluation process at two marquee events: the Senior Bowl and the combine. He snapped during special teams positions drills, but did not undergo the majority of testing.

Ward described the feedback he's received as "overwhelmingly good," and he stands a chance at becoming just the 10th player drafted as a pure long snapper in the last 15 years.

"You can only get so good at snapping, so you have to bring something else to the table," said Ward, who hails from Fort Walton Beach. "Leadership, you've got to be a great guy in the building. … Good all-around guy, helpful, and finding work to do anywhere other than snapping."

Ward was named a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, handed out to the nation's top long snapper, in each of the last two seasons. He decided to return for a sixth collegiate season, added muscle mass and felt comfortable playing at a listed weight of 245 pounds.

Swoboda benches for a cause

Starting right tackle Swoboda dedicated his bench press performance earlier in the week to a worthy cause, the Zach Martin Memorial Foundation, which raises awareness for exertional heat stroke in high school athletics. The 6-foot-10, 325-pound fifth-year senior collapsed during a July 2017 conditioning session at Virginia with a core body temperature of 109 degrees; anything over 104 is considered heat stroke.

"It's an absolute blessing that I'm still standing here right now," Swoboda said. "It was very uncertain for upwards of a year if I'd ever play football again. I was in a medically induced coma for three days, in the hospital for three weeks. Thanks to a great support staff and UVA, and also at UCF while I've been here, I have been able to continue playing football at a high level.

"Whenever I see it, it breaks my heart. Whenever I see somebody in high school dying of heat stroke, I know that could have been me."

Swoboda urged fans to pledge money for each rep he completed during Wednesday's pro day. He finished with a personal-record of 30 at 225 pounds, five more than his estimated goal.

As of Thursday morning, Swoboda's PledgeIt fundraiser had collected $1,580.

Swoboda said he worked out for the Baltimore Ravens earlier this spring, and will be among the UCF contingent set to head to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' local pro showcase next week.

Wilson posts fastest 40 time

UCF's long been known for speed, particularly at the skill positions, and safety Divaad Wilson turned in the day's fastest 40 time at 4.45 seconds.

Wilson, a former consensus four-star recruit who transferred to UCF from Georgia ahead of the 2020 season, added a broad jump of 10 feet, 6 inches and a 32.5-inch vertical jump. He believed he could have fared better in the testing portion, but liked what he did in the on-field drills.

"I ran well and looked smooth," Wilson said. "I got a little feedback from a couple teams, but nothing too crazy. I want to work on my stamina and keeping my feet up under me."

Wilson, who made 41 tackles and snagged a team-high three interceptions, will attend workouts with the Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins in April.

Malzahn favors Big 12 pro day

Next year, following UCF's debut campaign in the Big 12, the conference will partner with the NFL for a pro day event featuring athletes from all 14 teams at the Dallas Cowboys' training facility in Frisco, Texas.

CBS Sports first reported the agreement, which was confirmed by the Big 12 on March 15.

"The Big 12 unified approach will provide world-class maximum exposure, mentorship, and development opportunities for potential future prospects pulling on the vast resources of these Big 12 institutions," Troy Vincent, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, said via release. "From state-of-the-art medical and talent evaluations to maximized media exposure and classroom professional development, these future leaders will experience a dignified, respectful and comprehensive assessment."

Malzahn favors the Big 12's approach.

"That's the plan," Malzahn said. "I think it's a super idea with what the future looks like. I know our players here have been talking about it, so that's going to be really neat."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football: 5 notes from Pro Day