Jacory Croskey-Merrittâs stock as an NFL prospect continues to rise as the NFL Draft approaches.
The former Arizona running back, who was one of eight Wildcats at Big 12 Pro Day in Frisco, Texas, had one of the top performances on Thursday, as did fellow running back Quali Conley and offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea, who had 26 reps on bench press.
Croskey-Merritt had the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.45 seconds) and highest vertical (41.5 inches) for running backs at Big 12 Pro Day. Croskey-Merritt also had the second-most bench press reps (17) and third-best broad jump (10 feet, 4 inches) for running backs. Conley had 24 reps on bench press, the most for a running back at Big 12 Pro Day, and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds.
Arizona's Jonah Savaiinaea lifts weights during the Big 12 NFL football pro day on March 19, 2025, in Frisco, Texas.Â
Savaiinaea, a projected fringe first-rounder or early second-rounder, didnât run the 40-yard dash at Big 12 Pro Day, but he recorded the third-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.95 seconds) for offensive linemen at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Savaiinaea also tied for the second-best 10-yard split time at 1.72 seconds.
Savaiinaea was one of five offensive linemen to record a sub-five-second 40-yard dash this year.
Savaiinaea has met with around 20 teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders, which hired former UA offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, who recruited Savaiinaea to Arizona.
Eastâs Jacory Croskey-Merritt of Arizona, runs the ball for a touchdown in the first half of the East West Shrine Bowl in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 30, 2025.
Croskey-Merritt met with the New York Jets and has meetings scheduled with the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, per Draft Networkâs Justin Melo.
The 5-10, 208-pound Croskey-Merritt was initially viewed as an undrafted prospect in a draft class loaded with running backs, but heâs improved his chances with two impressive showings at Big 12 Pro Day and the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he was named Offensive MVP after rushing for 97 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
After transferring from New Mexico, Croskey-Merritt only played in one game at Arizona and missed the remainder of the season after âa concern was raised about his eligibility,â said UA head coach Brent Brennan. Croskey-Merritt rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown against New Mexico in the 2024 season opener before missing the rest of the season.
The NFL Draft from Green Bay, Wisconsin, begins on Thursday, April 24, at 5 p.m. on ESPN.
