BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, several members of the coaching and participants spoke to the media following the event.
Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga on Tanner Wall
“Tanner Wall is going to go down as one of the all time greats in BYU history. The play he made against Utah in the fourth quarter, where he goes up and intercepts the ball, is one of the iconic plays in BYU history and will never be forgotten. On top of that, [he’s] one of the greatest team captains I’ve ever been around. If you looked in the dictionary ‘what a BYU football player is’, Tanner Wall would be the epitome of that guy. He’s going to be a guy we miss but we sure wish him luck in the future and know he will be an excellent professional football player.”
Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga on Jack Kelly
“Jack Kelly is one of the best linebackers in BYU history. He’s so dynamic and instinctive. One of the best players I’ve ever seen closing in on the football in space, which I think is going to translate directly into the NFL. I think he’s going to be a guy that’s going to be able to do multiple things, a guy like Kyle Van Noy that can rush off the edge and play in the box. That versatility that he used here at BYU is going to be something that NFL scouts and organizations are going to love to use once he gets into the NFL.”
Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga on Garrison Grimes
“Garrison Grimes is one of the best snappers, if not the best snapper I’ve had over my 18 year career. The combination of his speed, his athleticism, his strength, his size and just his technique and fundamentals as a snapper is the best I’ve seen as a combination of all that. That’s why the pros are after this guy and I know that he has a chance to have a very long career in the NFL with the skillset he has.”
Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga on Will Ferrin
“Will Ferrin, one of my all time favorites. A guy that was never too high, never too low, very business-like, had the perfect mannerisms and characteristics that a kicker needs. He’s never going to get caught up in himself, especially with all the success he had here. All the field goals he made, the records that he broke, and the game-defying, culture defying play back in 2024 at Utah to win the game, Will will go down as one of the legendary players in BYU history. And I know for a fact that he can go on to the NFL and have an amazing career and be successful.”
Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga on Mory Bamba
“Has some of the best size and speed I’ve seen at corner. If you go back to the Arizona game - maybe the best game of his career - I think a lot of NFL scouts saw the ability he has with his size and speed, his physicality being a great tackler, one of the best gunners and jammers on special teams that I ever had, and once again just that combination of size and speed. I know NFL scouts have loved this guy for two years now, and I know he's going to perform well on pro day and give himself a chance to be a long NFL vet.”
Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga on Talan Alfrey
“One of my favorite players on our team, the reason why I love him so much a year ago was he was such a great player on special teams, he did everything for us on punts, punt returns, kick returns and then his role on defense where he knew multiple positions on the defense to help give us some depth everywhere on the back end. One of the guys I respect at a high level because of his work ethic, his diligence, and his commitment he had to this place. I know whatever Talan decides to do he’ll be very successful in life.”
Defensive tackle coach Sione Po’uha on John Taumoepeau
“One of the hardest working defensive lineman at BYU. I know he’ll do the same as he goes on to another team. Whoever picks him up is going to be delighted. He’s a guy who's tenacious and relentless about his technique. He’s strong and he’s tough…the next team who gives him a chance is going to enjoy him.”
Wide receiver coach Fesi Sitake on Chase Roberts
“He's got a very physical, demanding presence about him. For his size, he is so fluid. He's got a great feel for the game. We utilized him running a bunch of options. We could put him in any spot we knew he was going to get the job done. He is one of the greatest leaders I've ever been around. He is so intentional and deliberate in his craft, and he has his priorities straight and prioritizes things the way you should, which is really hard to do at this stage in any young adult's life. I think that just speaks to him and all that he is as a person. He just happens to be a really good football player on top of that. So I think any organization is going to get a heck of a player and a heck of a person.”
Tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride on Carsen Ryan
“He has an incredibly bright football intelligence. He has a really tremendous desire to do things the right way. He's physically tough as well, so it's the complete package. Certain things would have to happen for him to make the 53-man roster, but if he does, he could be an eight to 10 year NFL vet. That's how strongly I feel. I've coached the NFL for a number of years. There were a lot of guys like him and then there were the superstars, but there were the guys that did everything the right way and executed at a high level. That's what they're going to get.”
Offensive line coach TJ Woods on Isaiah Jatta
“Whoever drafts Jatta is getting a true ball junkie—one of the smartest guys in our room last year. He lives and breathes football, knows the game inside and out, is very athletic, a great pass protector, and improved our run game. He’s going to be a force at the next level.”
Offensive line coach TJ Woods on Austin Leausa
“Very athletic. Versatile player who can play really all five positions on the offensive line. Very smart. Loves ball. Going to be a great addition.”
Offensive line coach TJ Woods on Weylin Lapuaho
“Certified Dawg. Loves to get in the fight. Plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. Super athletic. Great pass protecting guard but also physical in the run game.”
Running backs coach Harvey Unga on Hinckley Ropati
“You’re getting the hardest worker you’ll have on the team. A student of the game and probably one of the most versatile backs I’ve been around. There’s very few that can run routes as well as him, catch as well as him, block, but also run the ball. More than anything he’s just a great kid and a great person. He’s a solid teammate and he’s your ultimate team guy.”
Head coach Kalani Sitake on Jake Retzlaff
“I think he’s got a great arm. I think he’ll have a great shot—that’s why we brought him here, so he can show that. We have a good history with some quarterbacks that are still in the league. I think he’ll be just fine in the NFL. It’s just a matter of timing and getting the right support.”
Head coach Kalani Sitake General Media Session
On the importance of having a pro day event
“That’s my job—trying to help as many of our guys get drafted and opportunities in free agency. It’s good to see former athletes here—some of them in the NFL—and it’s really exciting for me to see everybody. Honestly, the best thing is that our current team is watching this. They can visualize themselves doing this next year. For some of the freshmen, this is something they can look forward to. Being able to connect with former players and guys who are just graduating—it means a lot. I’m really proud of these guys and glad we can give them this environment and opportunity. I just wish we could’ve had it before, but that’s okay—we’ll keep building it now.”
On having a final send off for the departing players
“Yeah, we’ll have dinner tonight and give them their helmets and jerseys and stuff like that. Any chance you get to bring people together—it’s about connecting the current team with the guys that are leaving. I don’t really have to do much other than let them connect, talk, and share some words of wisdom—things to think about going into next season. It’s good to have the whole group back together.”
Linebacker Jack Kelly General Media Session
On what he’s heard from scouts and NFL executives…
“I mean, some positive things and also some things I need to improve on, so I’m really just trying to stay in the grind mode—not trying to get too high, not trying to get too low. Just stay even and try to get better each and every day.”
On what he has to improve…
“Just getting off blocks a little more in my pass coverage, which I think I showed a good job of being more fluid in those today. So those are the things I’ve really been working on.”
On having pro day in Provo…
“I mean, we get to be back with the guys that are competing, but then we also get to be with the team that’s still here. So it’s cool to see all the guys, mingle with them, allow them to come out here and watch us. Being back at home—there’s nothing like being back here.”
On what it means to represent BYU at the next level…
“It means everything. I think they set us up in such a spectacular way that it allows us to be ready for the NFL. Just the culture, the people, these relationships we’ve built—I’m just excited to continue to grow them and represent them at the next level.”
On emotions being back with old teammates…
“I was just more happy seeing them compete, doing great things, beating the numbers they thought they were going to get and exceeding expectations. So I was really happy with the way everyone performed.”
On what it means to have current players in attendance…
“A lot of those guys you’ve met and built relationships with before, and some of those guys are new guys. So it’s kind of setting the path for the younger guys to see what they’re going to be able to look forward to. I mean, everyone’s goal is to make it to the NFL, so they get to see the reality of it and kind of the process we go through to try to achieve these dreams.”
On what he learned from the combine…
“In those interviews, learning what scouts wanted to see from me, then going back and watching game film and seeing things I thought I needed to improve on—I think I showed everything I wanted to today. Working with the D-line drills and also the DB drills, I think I was able to be pretty smooth and feel pleased with the way I performed.”
On what the process has been like…
“Yeah, it’s definitely surreal. I mean, even being at the combine and watching it on TV, it feels like it was two different events. It’s a crazy feeling. As a kid, you dream of this, so I’m just being grateful for everything, taking it one step at a time, and continuing to work hard to get better.”
Wide receiver Chase Roberts General Media Session
On the day…
“It was a great day. Definitely did what I wanted to do. It was just fun being back at BYU being in Provo. Seeing all the guys again, my parents were here and my family. Just a special moment. Just grateful for God and my Savior Jesus Christ.”
On his goals for Pro Day…
“The biggest thing today was to get my 40 time down and show my speed. I was battling a little bit through the training and glad I was able to get those extra weeks and come in a little faster today. That was the biggest thing and also showing my athleticism on the shuttle and stuff like that. I think I did that as well. It was a perfect day and I’m super excited for the future.”
On catching passes from Jake Retzlaff…
“It was awesome, I missed it for sure. Grateful for him, he was slinging it today. Excited to see where he ends up and really proud of what Jake has done.”
On the pride he feels for BYU…
“It’s everything, it’s why I stayed for four or five years. It’s why I committed as a sophomore, because I love this place and what it stands for. I’ve wanted to be a representative of BYU my whole life and that’s the plan, a representative of BYU and a representative of my Savior Jesus Christ. I think BYU does that. Just so grateful for this opportunity to be a part of BYU.”
Safety Tanner Wall General Media Session
On how he felt he did
“I feel really good. Crossed all the drills and made all the goals I set for myself and felt really proud of what I put out there today.”
On having pro day in Provo
“Being here on our campus and in our environment just feels comfortable. Having families and our fans around is the best for sure.”
On being around the team one more time
“That sense of brotherhood, just being back and being together, we want to see everyone put their best out there and succeed. Seeing how much they’ve trained the past several months leading up to this. It was good, I feel everyone was happy with how they performed and you get a lot of energy from your teammates cheering you on and supporting you.”
On having Retzlaff back
“When I saw him in the weight room I was stoked, because I’ve been back here for a couple days, I asked him when he’s going back to Lousianna and he said ‘I’m actually doing it here’ so I was stoked for him, I’m really good friends with Jake, awesome that he could do that here today and I thought he performed really well.”
On what the process has been like
“No it’s interesting, kind of a unique transition being a football player to basically being a glorified track athlete for two months. The eating is way different, the training is way different, you kind of have to shift the mindset with the load on your body, its kind of weird to be resting so much but the results kind of speak for themselves. It was a great process, got to train with a lot of great guys down in Florida, was actually down there with some teammates so we all lived there which was fun. Trained with some amazing players, some Indiana players who came straight from the national championship, so those guys were awesome, it was cool having some crossover, it sounds like our program and theirs have a lot of similarities so it means we’re heading in the right direction.”
