Malik Nabers has made his case to be the first wide receiver selected in next month’s NFL draft. At LSU pro day on Wednesday, the 20-year-old from Youngsville had a broad jump of nearly eleven feet, a vertical of 42-inches and ran the 40 in a blazing 4.35 seconds.
“I’ve been up since 5 AM, I’ve been ready to go at it, I knew something would be special,” said Nabers.
Nabers didn’t work out at the NFL draft combine and there was speculation his 40-time was 4.5. But after running a 4.3, he could be picked ahead of Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Junior.
Harrison beat out Nabers for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to college football’s best receiver.
Nabers says he’s telling NFL teams looking at receiver in the first round that he plays with a dog mentality.
“When I get the ball in my hands, I’m going to do tremendous things with it, I have a plan to go score,” said Nabers. “I play with a high chip on my shoulder, dog mentality.”
Nabers also describes himself as a humble person, especially away from the football field.
“I come alive when I’m on the football field, I put my heart and soul into it,” said Nabers.
Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels also participated at LSU pro day. Daniels went through a 58-play passing script, throwing passes to Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas, Greg Clayton and current Tigers Kyren Lacy and Mason Taylor.
Daniels could be the number two overall pick. He’s anxious for his name to be called on draft night.
“Who is going to invest in me, who is going to believe in me, kind of like LSU did on and off the field as a man and as a player,” said Daniels.
USC star Caleb Williams is expected to go number one to the Bears. Washington has the second pick, followed by New England. Daniels was scheduled to meet with both teams before they left Baton Rouge.
He was asked about the new look Commanders organization.
“A new regime there, (offensive coordinator) Kliff Kingsbury what he’s done with his track record with quarterbacks, Dan Quinn a good head coach, he led the Falcons to a Super Bowl, it was good to see the new regime and the plan they have in place,” said Daniels.
