Four Arizona Wildcats shine at the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis

For the first time in four years, the Arizona Wildcats had at least one representative at the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis. 

Over the weekend, former UA left tackle Jordan Morgan, wide receiver Jacob Cowing, running back Michael Wiley and tight end Tanner McLachlan were among the 321 players to participate in a series of drills, physical tests and interviews in front of a plethora of NFL scouts, coaches and front-office executives.

Morgan was the final Wildcat to test at the draft combine on Sunday. Wiley and Cowing performed on Saturday, and McLachlan was a part of the first day on Friday.

McLachlan ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds, the third-fastest time for tight ends at the draft combine this year. He ran the 10-yard split drill in 1.58 seconds and had a 35-inch vertical jump and nine-foot, nine-inch long jump. The 6-5, 244-pound McLachlan received a 75 grade by NFL's "Next Gen Stats," which is the seventh-best grade for tight ends at the combine.

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein said, "McLachlan is a slightly challenging evaluation, as his measurables and traits don't really match the intangibles and effort he puts on tape."

"He plays with the spirit of an in-line tight end and flashes what it takes to execute blocks, but he's missing the mass and play strength for one to confidently project him as a pro blocker at this point," Zierlein wrote. 

"While McLachlan has short arms and average speed, he still finds ways to go get the football outside his frame and does whatever it takes to add yards after catch. There are boxes that go unchecked, but his 'whatever it takes' mentality is the kind of intangible that often turns prospects into pros."

Cowing, a two-year starter at Arizona, displayed NFL-level speed on Saturday with a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds, the 10th-best at the draft combine — fifth-best among wide receivers. Former Texas receiver Xavier Worthy ran the 40-yard dash in 4.21 seconds, an all-time record at the NFL Draft Combine.

Cowing, the Alamo Bowl MVP, performed the 20-yard shuttle drill in 4.32 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.02 seconds. His vertical jump was 36 inches; broad jump, nine feet, 11 inches. 

Cowing, who is seventh all-time in college football’s bowl subdivision (former Division I-A) with 4,477 career yards and ninth with 316 receptions, didn't play in the Senior Bowl in Alabama last month after tweaking his ankle in practice, but said he was "100%" entering the draft combine.

At Arizona, Cowing's listed height and weight was 5-11, 175 pounds, but his recorded height in Indianapolis was 5-8, 168. 

"A lot of people question my height and stuff like that, but that's what my life has been ever since I first started playing football," Cowing told reporters in Indianapolis. "I like to use that as fuel to my fire, go out there and prove everyone wrong, and continue to be me, play my game and go out there and have fun with it." 

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Zierlein said Cowing’s "field vision and athleticism shine after the catch in Arizona’s quick game, but there are several boxes that go unchecked in the total evaluation."

"Cowing is a slightly built slot receiver who is more quick than he is fast and he lacks big-time separation," the NFL Draft analyst said. "He is made for option routes underneath and displays a nose for the end zone. He must learn to maintain additional space as a static pass-catcher because he won’t win very often when contested. Cowing needs to limit drops, improve as a route-runner and display some punt-return talent to give himself the best chance of sticking on an NFL roster for a while."

Wiley, Arizona's all-time leading receiving yards leader for running backs, only participated in running drills after injuring his thumb at the Senior Bowl, which will require surgery, according to NFL Network. Wiley was on the sidelines during the pass-catching portion of the draft combine on Saturday. 

The 5-10, 210-pound Wiley ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds, the ninth-best time for running backs at the draft combine.

Morgan ran the 40-yard dash in 5.05 seconds and the 10-yard split in 1.70 seconds — the fifth-best time for offensive linemen. 

Morgan, who will become the first UA offensive lineman drafted since Eben Britton in 2009, is a projected first-round selection. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. updated his mock draft and predicts Morgan will land at No. 25 to the Green Bay Packers. 

Morgan said he's met with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles during the draft process so far.

Morgan said he prefers to play tackle in the NFL but is open to switching to guard. 

"You can't be mad about it. They're drafting you at the end of the day, so you gotta be excited about it. You gotta do whatever you gotta do to help the team out even if that means moving inside," Morgan said. "It's not that different from tackle, you just get in a three-point (stance). The defense is closer so it'll be easier, but tackle is the spot. ... A lot of teams know that I want to play left tackle and they're OK with that. But if it's guard, then I'm not opposed." 

The 6-5, 311-pound Morgan said his nearly 33-inch arm measurement is off-putting for some teams scouting Morgan. 

"To me, that doesn't really mean anything. You see Rashawn Slater at the left tackle for the Chargers, his arm length isn't the best but he's still out there dominating," Morgan said.  

Morgan, who's been training at the "Exos" facility in Phoenix, credits his athleticism and on-field production as a three-year starter and All-Pac-12 selection for his first-round potential. 

"I have really good mobility I'd say. It shows in the film," Morgan said. "I can move, I can bend, I can do whatever you need me to do."

Arizona's Pro Day will take place March 14 in Tucson. The NFL Draft in Detroit is from April 25-27.